Lead out line distance

[Gene O'Keefe]

I am curious...what is the "norm" ( at the wing tip end ) for lead out line separation ? How close should you get the lines together ?  How far apart should the maximum be ?   This assuming you have an adjustable set up...I'm referring to when building the adjustable leadout (slider), what's the min / max the lines should be apart ?
( and yes, I know they shouldn't be so close as to touch each other )

[keith varley]

As far as flying is concerned ,generally, the closer the better.On the other hand, you do not want the two leadouts to interfere with each other , or snag on each other.In the NORTH WEST many good experienced flyers stagger the leadouts from 4" to 6".(One is longer than the other).The downside is that you must make up your lines staggered also.  I have for many years used a 6" stagger , and I separate the leadouts 3/4" to 7/8" at the tip. Never a problem.
On the other hand I fly with many fine folks that use two individual leadouts , so the gap can be changed at will.   Keith Varley

[Brian Massey]

Threre is an advantage to making them indivually adjustable. If I understand what I think I've been told, if you move one leadout X amount, it is the same as moving both tied together leadouts 2X. In other words, being seperate gives you a "finer tune".

Does that make sense?? Did I get it right? I think I did.

Brian

[Howard Rush]

I am curious...what is the "norm" ( at the wing tip end ) for lead out line separation ? How close should you get the lines together ?  How far apart should the maximum be ?   This assuming you have an adjustable set up...I'm referring to when building the adjustable leadout (slider), what's the min / max the lines should be apart ?
( and yes, I know they shouldn't be so close as to touch each other )

I'll bet you'll get a lot of advice on this, none of which is backed up with calculation.  

Another benefit of stagger is that it makes it obvious when you hook up your lines backwards.  

[Ted Fancher]

I'll bet you'll get a lot of advice on this, none of which is backed up with calculation.  

Another benefit of stagger is that it makes it obvious when you hook up your lines backwards.  

Well, no I didn't do any calculations but I've never liked the "idea" of having one heavy leadout and its associated wraps and clips six inches further from the exit of the guide than the other.  That stuff has "drag" (haven't calculated that either...don't know how to) and could be subject to being whipped around more when moving through the air at 55 or so MPH.  I tie mine off as close to exactly the same as I can (and as close to the guide as allows full deflection), space them about a 1/2" apart (have done as little as 1/4" on "plug and play/multi-hole" guides and have never experienced a problem with snagging or tangling.  I do, however, coat the wraps and eyelets with a thin layer of epoxy to eliminate any predictable snags.  This, of course, technically produces a small stress riser at the plane end of the wrap but, what the heck, I can't calculate how much of a riser it is or what the maximum number of cycles the cable can withstand might be under tension.  Probably a good thing I don't fly very much or I'd find out. 

Ted

[Howard Rush]

That stuff has "drag" (haven't calculated that either...don't know how to)...

Probably not, if you insist on doing it using density altitude.  It's easy using density.

[Avaiojet]

I built a couple of modified Ares when I was a kid. This photo was taken in 1962. Both models had the leadouts over and under at the CG. No, that's not me holding my modified Ares. Just a childhood friend and fellow CL side kick.