Flying wire life expectancy

[Richard Koehler]

I was out trying to get some more flight time on my B-40 Friday when I noticed something shiny about a foot down from my handle.  Looking closer I saw it was a wire strand so I finished the tank out keeping the plane low.  On landing I found one strand of the up wire had broken.  I wrap my line ends than coat from about an 1/8 in to 1/8 from the ferrel with JB Weld, than cover with colored shrink wrap.  I have used these lines for the last 5 years.  Just how often should lines be changed?

[Garf]

I only know that mine are overdue.

[Randy Powell]

All I can say is check them regularly.

[ash]

Like anything, it depends on how much they get used, what gauge it is, what material, how much the model pulls, exposure to moisture, who they are cleaned, how often etc...

Stainless steel braid on a model used heavily for practice and contest, I'd recommend blowing a whopping $8 each year on a new pair of lines (even if I don't follow that advice to the letter myself!)

Heavy models, light line, a lot of use, exposure to moisture or grit are all reasons to change more often - the inverse would also be true.

Lines that contact leadout guides or line groupers need very careful inspection and replacement, for example external controls where the line connects directly to the bellcrank. They take a beating at that contact point and once one of the fine strands is weak enough to break, the whole lot could go. Seen it three times in the last 12 months with 12 thou SS braided lines.

In most cases it will be at the terminations or thereabouts that the badness would occur, so inspect appropriately.

[Larry Fernandez]

Believe it or not, I'm still using a set of lines that I wrapped in 2001. These lines are used almost every weekend on a 67 ounce plane powered by a RO Jett .61
I'm quite certain that these lines have over 3000 flights on them.

First off, I would never use J B Weld or any other epoxy on my wraps. This will cause a stress riser at the end of the epoxied spot.

At the beginning of a flying session, before I attach the lines to my plane, I give them a good look to make sure that the copper wrap is sound and that there is no fraying. After I attach the lines I roll them out, then go back to get my handle. I will then wipe the lines down with acetone. As I wipe them, I look carefully for any kinks along the length. Before I attach the lines to my handle, I give the wraps at the handle end of the lines a good inspection, also checking for any fraying or wrapping coming loose. and then I'm good to go.
I'm sure some will disagree, But I think that if you take care of your lines and inspect them before every flying session, you should get many years out of a properly prepared set of lines.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team   

[steven yampolsky]

Just how often should lines be changed?

If they are not frayed, rusted, kinked and they pass a pull test, they don't need replacing.

[GregArdill]

Regular inspection of your lines should identify problem areas before they get to your stage.

I always use 5min epoxy over the wrapping. This never seems to become brittle and maintains a little flexibility. Thus reducing the likelihood of stress risers.

Lucky you spotted it when you did - could have been a disaster.

Greg