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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: John Castle on May 04, 2011, 08:23:23 PM
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And it was such a beautiful day too.
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John
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And it was such a beautiful day too.
Flying off a stooge is about the most dangerous thing that we do regularly. I pretty much won't use one any more - I had a few near-misses but there are so many accidents that others have that I don't consider it worth the risk.
Brett
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So John, what happened ?
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I pretty much won't use one any more...
That's because you have friends.
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That's because you have friends.
Inexplicably, yes.
Brett
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So John, what happened ?
Even though I try to be very methodical and careful when flying I do find myself focusing on the upcoming flight to the point of tunnel vision. Today I managed to take off and drop the stooge line over the top of the control lines. The stooge line is one of those wind up plastic line holders. At the point that it took hold of the control lines it proceeded to in an instant yank the handle out of my hand, snap the leather (notes taken) wrist strap and head off happily toward the neighbors house and electric lines. ~^ Luckily the handle caught the top of a tree and proceeded to slam the plane in a forceful and loud manner nose first into the asphalt driveway. Close call in lots of different ways and I am happy to get away with only a splintered plane, shredded lines, a lost handle (still in the top of the tree) and a motor that will most likely run again after a little work. Unfortunately I have to fly with a stooge or not fly at all so I hope I can take home a few lessons from this.
Anyway, life goes on,
John
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I have been using a stooge for 16 years with only one incident. I got my feet wrapped up in the stooge line and had to do 5 inverted laps to get untangled. I learned to drop the stooge line far to the right of my lines, and where I stand.
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I wish you had video. S?P
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If I have a choice I would rather not use one. But not all of us have a big pool of friends that fly control line that live close by. And it is hard to schedule time when you do have people close by.
So I keep a stooge in my truck when I need to fly and can not find a flying buddy.
I think they can be safe as long as you have a routine and stick to it. I try and do it the same way each time.
I always double check to make sure the plane is connected to the stooge.
I always put a screw driver in the ground and put the thong on it.
My stooge line is a colored chalk line and I always run it out a few feet shot of my flying lines. This keeps me from having to pull the line past my body.
I always toss the line away from me then walk a good 10 ft or more away from the line.
You make it as safe as you can.
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I only had one incident, where the release line tangled with the control lines. Luckily they came loose. After that, I maintained seperation to prevent that.
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Stooges, one of my tools.
couldn't fly with out one! Well could go fly R/C with the 'normal persons'.
My problem is the unintended and repeated main gear arrester carrier landings .
Stooges do work better for left handed persons.
Makes my inverted head go in the dirt.
LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ n~ n~
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So how do you practice alone if you dont use a stooge Brett ?
Ive only had 1 incident where I was walking to the handle holding the lines, and realised the lines were being pulled closer to me.. my instinct kicked in, I grabbed the lines and turned around to see the plane taxing off ----> that direction. I managed to grab the handle the right way up, and continue flying without any damage.
Now Im MUCH more thorugh with my precheck routine. I fly each flight as if someone told me " Today you will make a mistake and crash your model " I preflight routine check everytime 100%
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I've used one almost 90% of the time when I fly. Most of the guys around here, fly on the days during the week when the weather is good. I can only fly on the weekends; not retired still working. I have a method. Use a fluorescent cotton line and set it about 10-15 feet from your lines. As you WALK to the handle, stay aware of where your stooge line is. Pick up the handle, tie your strap, check the up/down and walk in an arc with tension on your lines to your release cord. It doesn't matter where you end up on your stooge line, just grab the slack and pull.
Has worked for me. H^^
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Sorry to read of your mishap, John. When I first got back into C/L, I was the only one doing so at an R/C club, so without my trusty stooge, I couldn't have flown. In the hundreds of times that I've launched aircraft with it, I've had one mishap, which left me with a wrecked airplane and a deep and abiding respect for the pilot responsibilities associated with safe usage. This is not rocket science, but it does most certainly require one's full and undivided attention. I've been careful and fortunate enough to have not had similar problems since my last, but am never totally comfortable while walking to circle center during a stooge launch. If the release line is a likely source of trouble, have you considered an R/C stooge? Have seen a couple that didn't look to hard to build from a few basic R/C components.
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Wow I'm sorry to hear this John sounds scary to say the least I'm glad no one was hurt.. y1 I've only had my feet get tangled a couple of times I burned the tank out doing wing overs and lazy 8's no harm done, also I use dollar store twine if it ever got wrapped on my lines its far weaker and shouldn't cause the situation you experienced but I'll be a little more carefull from here on out.
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Stooges, one of my tools.
couldn't fly with out one! Well could go fly R/C with the 'normal persons'.
My problem is the unintended and repeated main gear arrester carrier landings .
Stooges do work better for left handed persons.
Makes my inverted head go in the dirt.
LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ n~ n~
I'm pretty much left handed since I lost half the bicep in my right arm. Tossing the stooge line isn't an exact science when you have trouble letting go of an item, so I use my left. I like the stanley chalk line for the stooge line, it's easy to see, I toss it under my lines and slightly away from me. I have no doubt though, that I could throw it underhanded or sidearm after takeoff, and get it clear outta the circle. H^^
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Be careful tossing the stooge reel. I once tossed it over the lines and had some excitement. Now I just drop it and step back from the soccer cone I use to mark the handle and circle center (on grass). I always stake the safety thong and walk on the back side of the lines on my way to the handle. The theory is that if the plane gets loose the lines will move away from me and the thong will pull full down as soon as there is tension. Hopefully the airplane will nose over before it gets airborne and all I will have is a broken prop.
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I have been using stooges, mostly of my own design, since 1955. It pays to have flying buddies, but that is not always the case. I started with stooges made of coat hanger wire to launch 1'2A stunt and sport planes in the mid 1950's and moved on to larger planes in suceeding years. I did vow never fly anything larger than a 35 engine off of stooges, for several reasons. One of these reasons came out of the one incident I had with a stooge and a Green Box Nobler/Fox .35. On takeoff, I got the stooge line tangled up around my feet, but I got out of that o.k. If that had been a Sig Magnum with a ST .60, I would have been in trouble. So, I believe that the size of the plane and engine are a factor when using a stooge. If you are not a serious competition type, just a weekend sportflier like me, I recommend you stay with smaller planes and engines when launching with a stooge........Just my thoughts on stooges.........TDurrill n1 y1 H^^
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At the point that it took hold of the control lines it proceeded to in an instant yank the handle out of my hand, snap the leather (notes taken) wrist strap
While pull testing lines and handle straps in the Classic event at the NATS a couple of years ago, I encountered three strap failures. Yep, all three were leather straps. I would never use leather and do not recommend its use for anyone!!!
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I have used a stooge since I first started flying 1/2A's in the back yard. Now who says normal people fly RC? My second plane was a built up high wing trainer. Had already had several flights on it when I met the hobby shop owner at his field to fly. Had just taken the plane and radio off the charger. He has the habit of checking batteries with his checker. All was go. Took off and was doing passes around his field to get oriented. Halfway into the tank the plane goes bananas. Into deep grass inverted so very little damage. Found out the on board receiver battery had a cell go open. And these RC people think they have complete control of their planes while flying. Nothing like someone turning on while you are flying. Had it happen too many times to talk about.
But, flying by ones self does mean you have to be more alert and cautious. H^^
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I fear no stooge.
L.
"I keep tryin' ta think.. but nothin' happens!" - Curly Howard
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Not knocking anyone here....but I would think safe method would eliminate the problem even if remembering that the c/l have to be 100% clear and the stooge line must be in a position to do the same.
Solution is to
1. route c/l and stooge line..
2. route stooge handle behind c/handle..
3. always pick up c/handle first and using the left hand pick up stooge handle.
This should leave lines on top..stooge line on bottom..always back away once you release the plane...
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great quote larry! one of my co-workers likes to use that one the bosses here! it just zero's them out. rd
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The stories of stooge problems above relate to the stooge line. The stooge I have used for many years has no line nor does it have any moving parts to fail. Operation is simple- just pull the plane to you! Refer to this as a LINELESS STOOGE.
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I fear no stooge.
L.
"I keep tryin' ta think.. but nothin' happens!" - Curly Howard
I was shocked when I saw this thread. As someone who grew up with the Stooges, I cannot believe these horrible, disparaging remarks that are being made.
Were the Stooges involved in devilish activites-YES. Does that make them instruments of the devil-absolutely not. I sincerely hope that we will come to our senses on the thread, and acknowledge the good that they have contributed to our society, (wicked laughs).
By the way, they are currently making a remake of the 3 Stooges, and I am deeply concerned that they will see this thread.
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The stories of stooge problems above relate to the stooge line. The stooge I have used for many years has no line nor does it have any moving parts to fail. Operation is simple- just pull the plane to you! Refer to this as a LINELESS STOOGE.
What keeps it from vibrating off the the left and releasing itself early?
Brett
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The thing that worries me the most about flying off a stooge is not getting caught up in the wire but accidentally cutting my self with the prop and going into shock and passing out.
A carbon prop could take your finger off easy.
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Thats why ya need 3 woo woo owoo nyuk yuk yuk hey moe! Hey Moe
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What keeps it from vibrating off the the left and releasing itself early?
Brett
And what keeps it from hanging up and getting the nose pointed into the circle?
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1. The plane can vibrate around but if the engine is running and the prop is spinning it won't back up which it has to do to release.
2. There is nothing for it to hang up on. It slides off the "hook" which can actually be straight rather than curved.
3. Note the angles of the plane, the hook, and the control lines as they relate to each other.
Tradition is the enemy of creative thinking.
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Louis Rankin,
I think it was 2007 you pulled my safety thong at the Nats Classic event and it broke but mine was cloth shoelace I think ,,point here is you took the time to check safety thongs and some broke, I didnt think mine would fail but it did, Thanks for being there,
Also on the thread's subject I was flying a week ago & went over to watch a guy fly his new plane, He had a stooge setup .I have seen his stuff before but only this tme I was thinking in my head what a Mickey Mouse piece a S#h!t* stooge thing he has, and as he got his PA .61 started it prematurely released,,, he grabbed the nose of the fuse & saved any injury... these things can give way .Mine could fail as well. Good topic & thanks for the reminder.
john
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I have been using the stooge since my "reentry" to flying about 2 and a half years ago. My only real concern was having the plane come off the stooge before I could get to the handle. To take care of that concern I have a larger weight attached to the thong (which is on the "down" side of the handle). I figure if a dandelion can grab the down line on take off and cause the plane to nose over, a larger weight should be more than adequate. After all, we are not trying to hold the airplane if the stooge fails or the plane gets loose, but only want it to nose over and stop.
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Sleepy, I've seen several variations of your lineless stooge. However, others used a slotted piece of sheet metal mounted a little above the base plate to capture the tail wheel. How does yours attach to the aircraft?
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Hi Chucky, Using a wire above the tailwheel could allow the tailwheel to jump the wire. Not having seen the sheetmetal slot type I wonder if there might not be too much friction for and easy release. I use a loop as shown in the drawing. This loop works on pin type release mechanisms. The loop is attached to the tailwheel wire.
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Now who says normal people fly RC? H^^
Could of been me. Normal in today's world and I agree that that is not normal! LL~
Picture of my stooge. 4 huge nails anchor to ground(10-12inch long) at start end of 1/4 paved circle.
Airplane on pavement. Will make better,compact version one of these days. Chalk line release.
Problem:
Fox .35 mounted profile will try to make a tail in circle around stooge before you can run to handle.
All but a few of my Sport and Stunt planes do this to some extent. some do it after picking up handle when weight of lines add to situation.
Solution:
2x1x12 inch steel bar layed on inside of main wheel just touching wheel and LE of bar about even with wheel.
Bar is place parallel to fuselage.
David
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would like to see video of sleepy's in action if possible. #^ thanks rd
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Sorry, RD. I don't have video equip.
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1. The plane can vibrate around but if the engine is running and the prop is spinning it won't back up which it has to do to release.
Well it seems like it could pretty easily shake itself off to the left and then release the hook. I have seen too many issues with premature releases that I think this one is pretty scary. You need something with a positive retention.
Brett
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Well it seems like it could pretty easily shake itself off to the left and then release the hook. I have seen too many issues with premature releases that I think this one is pretty scary. You need something with a positive retention.
Brett
If on pavement they will most likely walk left. Grass, not to bad.
Profiles are biggest offender.
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I promised myself not to respond to this thread but I can't take it anymore.
How can anyone practice flying stunt without a stooge?
My exwife, Nancy, was the most tolerant person on the face of the earth but no way could she possibly be available every time I wanted to fly.
You guys either don't fly much or have a circle of friends that show up at the field at 6AM or after work, everyday. Maybe you can have someone meet you in twenty minutes so you can try out a prop you just whipped up. That certainly was not an option for me.
I was amazed when I read here that Brett doesn't use a stooge. He's one of the top guys, how does he do it?
It is also been my observation that if someones launching for you they have a plane with them also so the circle would need to be shared. That cuts "your" flying time in half. That's fine when you're in coaching mode but when you're trimming you need to "git ur dun".
I used a "Bob Baron Stooge" for many, many years and thousands of launches. Never an incident or concern, ever. My trusty stooge never let the tail spring up or caused the plane to weave because it was the same launch each and every time. I never tripped over or struggled with the stooge line either. I will admit I always flew over pavement and my stooge was screwed into lead anchors with long drywall screws. I had these "stooge mounting points" at several circles that I used in North Miami. Some may even still be there.
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Thanks Sleepy. Same setup I currently use on my planes. Will give your stooge a try and get rid of the release line.
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I was amazed when I read here that Brett doesn't use a stooge. He's one of the top guys, how does he do it?
Well, first potential erroneous assumption is that I am any good at this!
I fly on average about 75 flights a year. In recent years it has been quite a bit less. Between the 05 NATs (where I wrecked my airplane the night before qualifying started) and the 06 NATs I think I flew a total of about 30 flights of all kinds, and about 20 of those were official.
I used to fly a lot more (including thousands of flights with a stooge), but it isn't necessary when the engine performance is so good, and the repeatability is so good, that you don't have to spend a lot of time learning to compensate for things or learning the airplane characteristics. I also fancy myself good at trimming and supposing that was true, it makes it even easier. All I have to do is remember to keep my head straight up and down, and do the maneuvers in front of me.
Having said all that, while I can almost always be competitive (flyoff at the 07 NATs aside) I do tend to get ground down by Orestes, David, and Paul over time. I will be going along great, then make a big mistake, and then lose by a point or two. Those guys all fly A LOT. Whenever I try to do that, I get to the point of making a bunch of "glitch"-type mistakes and never get past it, like a golfer with the "yips". That's essentially what happened at the 07 NATs, trying to defend and trying not to fall into the trap of resting on my laurels, and while I did pretty good most of the week, on flyoff day I was a disaster. And of course once you start struggling, trying harder makes it worse. The "occasional big mistake" problem would probably get better with a lot more practice but I haven't been able to fly enough to get past the dip in the learning curve.
My best performances (2004 NATs, 2006 NATs, 07 Golden State, and 09 TT) were all after pretty long periods of little or no practice. 2004, particularly, since I was primarily a toolbox carrier the previous two weeks (a job clearly within my capabilities!). And of course 2006 since I didn't get the new airplane finished until the weekend before the NATs. It had 22 flights total by the end of the flyoff.
Brett
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For years I watched Bill Melton fly his killer .60 sized carrier ships off our grass field, using a simple stooge consisting of three 6" (or so) lengths of wire, with a closed loop bent on one end, and the other end sharpened. Two were pushed into the grass with the loops sticking up. The third had a long string tied to it and passed through both loops, and also pressed into the grass. The other end of the string had an inelegant scrap of pine tied to it.
In all that time, I never saw Bill ever have any stooge incident, and these carrier ships were howling! (I saw Bill get wrapped up by a throttle line which broke at the engine, and running for a couple of minutes at full throttle before Bill managed to fly the ship into a small tree.. But that's another story).
So, I emulated Bill, copied his setup, and used it for a CL Stunt stooge. It worked OK until one day as I pulled the stooge line, the combination of its line stretch and the force needed to dislodge the "pin" through the loops caused it and its line to spring and launch itself into my lines. Fortunately after a couple of laps, I managed to dislodge the stooge line and pin from my lines.
After that happened I mentioned it to Bill and asked if he ever had that problem. He said it never happened, and when I asked why, he said he "didn't stick the pin too deep in the grass".. Sorta a doctor reply to "when I move my arm it hurts", as "then don't move your your arm".. Classic Bill Melton. (I still miss the guy..)
Anyway, after reading an article somewhere, I went to a "captive" stooge line setup, with the release mechanism made from a door hinge, ballpoint spring, washers, nail, etc. for the release mechanism. (Similar to what you see above). Rather than describe it in great detail, here are a couple of photos. It's about 24 years old I think.
I'll also mention that the line reel is stored with the stooge, which can hold the reel while you pay out your line through the slot on its edge as you are setting up. And the three large nails are of course to secure it to the ground. The bottom part has cutouts for easy grip during removal from the ground. If you fly off pavement, of course you add a heavy board or metal plate, and use three bolts to secure the stooge holder/launcher instead of nails.
I wish I could remember the specific article I where got the design, somewhere in FM around 1987 perhaps.. Anyone remember it?
Of course, if you're no longer doing things "the Cowboy Way", you can simply cough up the bucks to get a commercial one, available in various levels of sophistication and beauty.
L.
"If you want others to have a good opinion of you, say nothing." -Blaise Pascal
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Les
That looks same as my stooge other than Fabricated VS Milled.
Like you I have never had a misfire from the unit.
Watch out for the drywall screws, Hard and brittle. Shear.
Throw away when you remove them and use new for each session.
These are the Black or Galvanized Philips head version?
David
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David, the screws don't matter any more since I was describing my experience from at least 27 years ago!
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David, the screws don't matter any more since I was describing my experience from at least 27 years ago!
Woah! We gotta get you flying again!! LL~
H^^
David
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David, the screws don't matter any more since I was describing my experience from at least 27 years ago!
The important thing, compared to the OP, is that this one has *positive retention*. Mine is similar, with a spring-loaded pin that captures the hook. The airplane is completely captured and something has to break before it is released prematurely. If you feel you must fly with a stooge (and I know that a lot of people do, and are going to continue doing it), I think you *must* at least have this level of safety. Sleepy's stooge, with all due respect, is *absurdly dangerous*.
Other tips:
Run you lines *before* you start the engine. Once the engine starts, stay clear of the lines in all circumstances, do not touch them or grab for them if the airplane releases early. The worst accident I know of involved someone running out the lines when the airplane released early, and it cut his fingers to ribbons, basically "degloving" two of his fingers. That's the accident that stopped me from doing it any more. It's much better to let the airplane take off and crash than it is to amputate you fingers or strip all the squishy parts from the bones.
Before you start the engine, or even choke it, pull-test the airplane to make sure the stooge is really hooked up, and check visually that the release pin is fully seated. I painted part of my pin fluorescent yellow where it is normally covered when the pin is fully seated. If you can see the yellow the pin is not seated all the way.
Also check the tailwheel strut (or whatever else you attach the stooge with) attachment before and after every flying session. I think they have to be heavily built up for long-term stooge use. That's another reason I don't like it, it means I need to add an extra 3/4 ounce to the tailwheel mount. But whatever you use, its right on the bottom where all the oil ends up and it tends to get very oil-soaked.
Set the lines out straight, and then the stooge line about 3 feet behind them. Be very careful to check the clips so they are not flipped around and are straight. When the engine starts, walk out to the airplane *behind* the lines and stooge line. That way, if the airplane releases, you will not be in the way and get wrapped up in them, and get cable-sawed. Remember that you are by yourself, pretty much by definition, so if you get any more than a minor injury you are immediately in big trouble and a significant cut could result in you bleeding out before you can get help.
Don't choke the engine, apply the battery, idly flip the engine, without positive control over the airplane, meaning hold on tight with your arm clear of the prop. Modern engines start without the battery *all the time*, very easily, sometimes even when rocking back against compression from the weight of the piston. If the stooge isn't completely captured, and it starts, and you have no control over the airplane, it will chop you to ribbons. A piped 61 with a carbon prop isn't going to stop when it hits your knee or cuts your femoral artery or other important items in that general area. Note that it is also very difficult to control the prop when you attach the battery, and you pretty much have to reach through the prop disc to attach it, if you are holding the airplane by yourself. They also start sometimes right when you attach the battery, there goes all the veins and probably arteries in your right arm. You bleed out and die.
When you get to the handle, attach the thong, and then pick up the stooge line handle. Pull it to release the plane, and then throw it, hard, out behind the lines (off to the right if you are flying CCW). Its easy to get you feet wrapped up in it if it's anywhere near you. We have *all* done that, whether we admit it or not. Worst-case is that you fall and crash, so its not life-threatening like most stooge problems, but you will lose the airplane.
If you pull, and the airplane doesn't take off, you are stuck, do not put the handle down and go check on it. It may shake itself loose and then off it goes. Just let it run out the tank. I use the Kevlar lines for the stooge release, this has little "give" so it's more likely to ensure you pull it all the way. Fishing line, string, etc, stretches and you are never quite sure that you pulled it hard enough.
Try to land so that the roll of the airplane puts it right back near the stooge. On pavement this is pretty easy, and you can get it within a few feet with a little practice. The reason is that you are going to have to drag the lines when you put the airplane back to the stooge. Dragging the lines, they will get caught on various things on the field. When it happens, don't just yank on them, go clear the snag. Check the lines carefully after each flight for line damage caused by dragging them.
Always have a cell phone with you, in your pocket, with speed dial to 911. Don't leave it in the tool box, because you might not be able to get to the tool box. That way you can call for help if you get hurt. The single biggest danger is getting cut and bleeding out before you can get help. Its potentially fatal, it's no joke.
To me, after seeing numerous variations on the above (none fatal, in many cases due only to dumb luck), I pretty much stopped doing it. To me, it's not worth it to get in a few more flights, and with current airplanes and engines the injuries are potentially far more severe, and 5 extra flights not that critical. I think this makes the risk/reward far different from the good old days, where you really needed a lot of flights, and we were running Foxes or ST46s with wood props. I did on the order of 5000 flights with stooges, back in the good old days, and I am still alive, but to me anymore it is just too risky.
Brett
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Someday, I want to work something out using a foot pedal to release the cord. A drummer's pedal might do the trick.
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Sorry Brett, MY STOOGE IS NOT ABSURDLY DANGEROUS. I am surprised that you from your high and mighty position would say such a thing. I suppose you must have had extensive hands on experience, not armchair supposing, with this type stooge. What is dangerous is traditional thinking without solving problems, a category that many "old timers" fall into. If your plane vibrates so badly that it would walk off the platform then balance the prop and check the piston weight. Of course it would be too easy to tilt the platform slightly to the right.
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What is dangerous is traditional thinking without solving problems, a category that many "old timers" fall into.
On the other hand, "old timers" have seen a lot more stuff than you have.
Sorry, Sleepy, I have been doing this for a heck of a long time and there are far too many accidents with stooges, even those with reliable positive retentions. I think yours is far too dangerous, and it certainly offers no advantage over a regular type. We are talking about potentially deadly accidents and no flight is worth killing yourself for,
Brett
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My Dearest Brett, you did notice that the problems cited were almost all related to the release string's problems.
I like not having a string in my way to hang up. It's real nice if you don't have to use a stooge. On the other hand, one with no moving parts to fail makes sense. Many "old timers" get myopia.
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Come on guys, what works for one may not work for the other. The ones that scare me are the two verticles legs to hold a plane. H^^
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Why is that, John? I assume you mean the kind that hold by the stab? I think they would be OK as long as the tail is secure? What am I missing that could bite me?
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Went flying today and used this STOOGE I got the door hinge idea from Bill Rich when we use to fly at the north Tampa site. Bill had them permanently mounted to the ground. When I started using the Hunterville NC field I mounted one to the pavement and someone kept removing it so I came up with this method of mounting the door hinge on a plywood plate. Recently I needed a way to launch a try gear model so I made this block to mound another hinge up higher. For several years I didn't use the playwood I had holes in the pavement and used to very long nails ~^ to hold the door hinge in place. I have never had a failure using this method #^
Ed
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Here the Wichita area I find myself flying alone most of the time, so I have to fly with a stooge. The one I use is made from a plate of steel, that weights about 10 lbs and has four rubber feet. Then I put a nose gear steering nylon bushing and made a pull pin system that is spring loaded. I double check everything before I start the engine, basically I have been doing what Brett Buck mentioned in his reply.
This first photo shows my 11 lb camera plane with a four stroke 91 at full throttle and the stooge is not moving. I can put this stooge down anywhere as is (grass or concrete) and it will hold everything I fly including the camera plane. The four rubber feet provide enough friction to keep the steel plate from being dragged along the ground. My smaller airplanes don't even approach to begin to move this plate.
Also attached is a close up view of the stooge. There is no need to nail the stooge to the ground if it weighs 10 lbs or more. Models with really large engines would need more, but we rarely fly with anything bigger than a 90.
Land Sofltly,
Fred Cronenwett
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My Dearest Brett, you did notice that the problems cited were almost all related to the release string's problems.
I like not having a string in my way to hang up. It's real nice if you don't have to use a stooge. On the other hand, one with no moving parts to fail makes sense. Many "old timers" get myopia.
That was the problem some of the time. The rest of the time was that it released prematurely. You don't see a lot of "shook off the uncaptured hook" accidents because everybody else uses a positive retention system.
I am sorry if I offended you but stooges are dangerous enough that trying to use one without a positive retention system just isn't safe at all, and for what little it seems to be worth, I couldn't in good conscience let it go without comment.
Brett
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Stooges are evil. A necessary evil, but evil none the less. VD~
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A couple of comments on Brett's comments:
Most of my flying is done in the corner of an RC field, with RC guys in attendance. The last time I flew I brought a stooge (hastily built, but oddly enough it had a spring clip that positively retains the plane and can't come off without a good firm pull -- imagine that). They'd never seen one. Even though these guys like me, and are quite happy to launch for me, I got over twice as many flights in as I usually do because I was launching by myself with the stooge. Flying in the presence of folks who's ears are attuned to the sound of a screaming model engine thunking into mud (or flesh) takes care of a lot of the safety issues.
Brett's advise was to pull the cord, and toss it off away from you. I have always (well, ever since an unfortunate accident in my youth) set things up so that the plane is about six to ten feet outside of the normal flying circle for launch. That gives me room to pull the cord, gracefully drop it right where it lays, and walk to the center of the circle over the course of the first half lap or so. That puts me well away from the cord -- and I haven't had any problems, ever.
I don't know much more to add. Someone here has a design for a stooge that's controlled by a remote door lock system bought at an auto parts store. The general concept made me shudder at first, but he has the stooge set up so that you have to push two buttons in sequence to release ("door lock" then "door unlock"). Done right, any extra chances for inadvertent release should be balanced by the "no chance" for tripping or tangling one's stooge line. If I weren't a tightwad and a luddite I might give up my $1.00 worth of string, scrap plywood and screen door parts for his high-tech solution.
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Tim, if you were high tech, you wouldn't be flying control line.
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The 55galon drum trick. n~
Very simple and will not release until you do. ??? no way ??? ???
Place 55 gallon drum 1/2 way down length of lines.
Circle airplane in reverse back to the handle.
Start airplane and hold with one hand pick up handle with the other hand.
launch airplane.
Barrel is center of circle until line straight. lines supposedly slide on steel barrel for control.
NOW if you ask me I say that the craziest thing ever. fells weird to even think about it. ??? <= n~??? <= n~??? <= n
I never did it, other locals did in 60s-70s
There are some fliers on here that have ? Probably Combat fliers.LL~
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Stooges are very safe if you are very safe. You have to follow the same safe guide lines when you go flying by yourself. I fly by myself 99% of the time. Accidents do happen and they do happen to me. I concentrate on what I am doing. Still fly aways, cuts, heart attacks, and distractions are ever present. My neighbor is retiring in Sept. and I am hoping that he and I will get to go flying a lot together. We have known each other since the 8 th. grade some 50 years now. But his wife of 45 years will probably keep him plenty busy.