Spectra lines for sport flying

[rich gorrill]

I want to try Spectra lines for sport flying. I know the Speed Limit Combat guys use 100 lb. test. Would the 80 lb. test be okay for sport flying? I read in the Combat Section that 100 lb. spectra is .018 dia. so I'm thinking the 80 lb. spectra would be about .015 dia. Any help would be appreciated.

Rich

[mike londke]

80 is more than enough. Look at page 7 and 8 for line requirements for Sport flying using Spectra lines. https://www.modelaircraft.org/sites/default/files/Control%20Line%20General%202019-2020.pdf

[Dan McEntee]

  And in my very limited experience is shopping for the stuff, the line diameter is on the box somewhere. It is really pretty close to what we have always gone by with metal lines, I think.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[rich gorrill]

Thanks Mike and Dan

[Brett Buck]

I want to try Spectra lines for sport flying. I know the Speed Limit Combat guys use 100 lb. test. Would the 80 lb. test be okay for sport flying? I read in the Combat Section that 100 lb. spectra is .018 dia. so I'm thinking the 80 lb. spectra would be about .015 dia. Any help would be appreciated.

    There is no real specification on Spectra diameters, the safety code only requires the stunt (or other applicable category) *pull test*, not specific materials or strength. That is currently different for contest flying, Spectra or any other non-metallic lines are not permitted at all in stunt, and maybe only in combat.

     I put in a stunt rule proposal to get rid of any requirements on line diameter/strength/material/construction/termination, and just use the 10G pull test and nothing else - if it passes the pull test, it's good to go.    That is in the preliminary or screening vote right now, if it passes, it will be the rule for 2021.

   I would expect 80 lbs to be far more than enough.

     Brett

[bob whitney]

I use 60 lb test for all my sport flying

[Trostle]

I use 60 lb test for all my sport flying

What size weight and power for your airplanes?  AMA CL General rules show that 60 lb test "Spectra" lines (with ".016 diameter") can be used for models up to 64 oz and engine displacement of ".40".

Keith

[rich gorrill]

Ordered a roll of 60lb. test from Bass Pro Shops today. What I like is if someone accidentally steps on your lines the Spectra will probably not get ruined. I have had to replace a few sets of lines after "accidents" in our pit area.

[Steve Scott]

Ordered a roll of 60lb. test from Bass Pro Shops today. What I like is if someone accidentally steps on your lines the Spectra will probably not get ruined. I have had to replace a few sets of lines after "accidents" in our pit area.

And, if you don't get the green stuff, you can see your lines in the grass.  I got some white.

[Phil Spillman]

I've used yellow and found that they really stand out! The absolute advantage is the weight of these things! They'll really give you a happy heads up when you try them for the first time!

Phil Spillman

[Jim Carter]

   I know I should probably keep my mouth shut but I can say, I put about 70 feet of the green 80 pound Spyderwire on my U-Realy about 6 years ago and I can't begin to tell you the actual number of flights I've enjoyed with them as it is certainly in the many hundreds.  I have flown with them at 15 feet, 25 feet, 52 feet, 60 feet and countless other approximations with planes using engines from .10 to .46 size.  To this date, I have not found any overt signs of fraying or damage such that I would necessarily replace them.   I am very pleased with mine although, I doubt I would risk being challenged by ever using them at an official/sanctioned contest.

Jim

[bob whitney]

What size weight and power for your airplanes?  AMA CL General rules show that 60 lb test "Spectra" lines (with ".016 diameter") can be used for models up to 64 oz and engine displacement of ".40".

Keith

 Picky Picky Picky, 35 powered WOW, 25 powered slow combat ,35 powered ringmaster and my 1/2A mini king (30 lb test)

[Ara Dedekian]

   
     I put in a stunt rule proposal to get rid of any requirements on line diameter/strength/material/construction/termination, and just use the 10G pull test and nothing else - if it passes the pull test, it's good to go.

   

   Brett

       Thanks for doing that. Voting down their use in competition as per the last rules cycle was disappointing.

       According to the current AMA General Control Line rules, Spectra lines are, ".....permitted for sport flying and demonstration purposes." They're also allowed in Combat @100# test. Our club here in Maine allows them for all C/L events as does Brodaks and the N.E.S.T. group in Massachusetts.

   Ara

   

[rich gorrill]

Brett, I hope the rule passes, many of our guys fly speed limit combat and they love the Spectra line. The club has a S.L contest every fall and I try to show up to be a judge or do pull tests and nobody uses wire any more. I have never had a plane or lines fail the pull test, and we are pretty strict about it. I see no reason Spectra should not be used in Precision Aerobatics. Especially when it is okay for sport flying.

[dave siegler]

Spectra is allowed for combat.  I love it and wonder what I am going to do with the rolls of bulk 7 strand I have.  60 is fine for most anything.  Get a bright color, learn how to tie the knots and you will be fine. 

Practice  knots on some other thick line line first. 

[Brett Buck]

       Thanks for doing that. Voting down their use in competition as per the last rules cycle was disappointing.

       According to the current AMA General Control Line rules, Spectra lines are, ".....permitted for sport flying and demonstration purposes." They're also allowed in Combat @100# test. Our club here in Maine allows them for all C/L events as does Brodaks and the N.E.S.T. group in Massachusetts.

   Ara

 

    I don't think anyone was against the idea of being able to use it, far from it. They just didn't like the proposal itself (as discussed at length earlier).

    I am pretty optimistic that the current proposal will pass the CLACB, I am about 50/50 whether someone else with undocumented veto power will come along later and not permit it.

     Brett

[Brett Buck]

  I know I should probably keep my mouth shut but I can say, I put about 70 feet of the green 80 pound Spyderwire on my U-Realy about 6 years ago and I can't begin to tell you the actual number of flights I've enjoyed with them as it is certainly in the many hundreds.  I have flown with them at 15 feet, 25 feet, 52 feet, 60 feet and countless other approximations with planes using engines from .10 to .46 size.  To this date, I have not found any overt signs of fraying or damage such that I would necessarily replace them.   I am very pleased with mine although, I doubt I would risk being challenged by ever using them at an official/sanctioned contest.

  Right now, you can't use them at all (and I am not going to go into what might happen if you showed up with a U-Reely, again). If you didn't get dinged for it, the CD is taking a BIG risk. I would urge you to not try to use these lines in a stunt contest, even if you could get away with it, because it puts the liability on everyone involved.

    I think you will not have a lot of opportunities to test it between now and January.

     Brett

[Jim Carter]

  Right now, you can't use them at all (and I am not going to go into what might happen if you showed up with a U-Reely, again). If you didn't get dinged for it, the CD is taking a BIG risk. I would urge you to not try to use these lines in a stunt contest, even if you could get away with it, because it puts the liability on everyone involved.

    I think you will not have a lot of opportunities to test it between now and January.

     Brett

Oh, yes, I understand ... no argument from me!  I don't use them or the U-Reely at the handful of contests I am fortunate enough to attend, I use .018 x 60's with a handle for .35 - .46's.  That's my personal choice of line being too cheap to buy anything else.  Others are free to do their own thing.  Besides my only complaint at these big contests is that they generally don't supply "free" trash bags after my flights!!     

Jim

[Brett Buck]

Oh, yes, I understand ... no argument from me!  I don't use them or the U-Reely at the handful of contests I am fortunate enough to attend, I use .018 x 60's with a handle for .35 - .46's.  That's my personal choice of line being too cheap to buy anything else.  Others are free to do their own thing.  Besides my only complaint at these big contests is that they generally don't supply "free" trash bags after my flights!!   

  I have noted that omission myself on several occasions:

[john e. holliday]

Finally got my spool of Specktra 80 PD line yellow.  Using picture I printed off I tied my first knot.   Unlike another video I watched I used only a single strand like the picture I have shows.  Try as I might using a small screw driver to simulate a connector I could not exert enough forc to move the knot or break it.  Will pull one of the old beaters off the hook to tie a set of lines.   Will pull test before hooking up to plane.  Then it will be flying time.   Will post results when and ever I get it done.

[john e. holliday]

Have finally made a set of lines to fly my Feno with.  Anchored one end and tried hard to break them.  I don't think I have a plane that will pull that hard.  Will let you know when I fly the set up.

[john e. holliday]

Well today I got two short flights on the Feno.   Later got a flight on the Frisky Pete using same lines.   On the Feno they seemed to have a big arch to the plane even though it never came in on me.   Would have gotten more flights on the Feno but bad landing took out the gear and fuel line split at the needle valve.  The Frisky Pete held the lines straighter but pin hole in tank prevented more flights on it.  Hopefully I have both problems fixed.   These are 80 pound test lines so I may take a third airplane with me next time(hopefully Friday).