Access to AMA Control Line Safety Code and related Information

[Phil Spillman]

I have tried to access the Academy's information supposedly available to all members on their web site . There is NO information radially available regarding Control Line farther upon entering my membership credentials as requested their response was "That information is inaccurate and not recognized"! I have been a member continuously since 1960 and have retained my 5 didgit number in good standing with those people over the years including those years when I didn't enjoy and "Senior Citizen's Discount"! Would someone please aim me in the correct direction as to where I might determine what line diameter goes with what weight of plane? Not only do these people under represent Control Line they make it almost impossible to access their site!

Phil Spillman 

[Dave Hull]

Phil,

If you are having access issues, the AMA guy you need to talk to is Chris Savage. I had problems with the new website being incompatible with my setup and he got me going again. He was both patient, and sincerely wanted to help me out. In my case, he found that there is a bug in the code that would not allow me access thru Internet Explorer and I had to use Google Chrome. After that, Chris checked my password (he reset things) and I was good to go. (In my defense, I was using a current and correct password. So for all the IT guys out there that would like to vent about careless users, keep that rant ready for a suitable case. There is sure to be one somewhere....)

If you find you can get in, then the link to the General Control Line rules is:

   https://www.modelaircraft.org/events/competition-resources/competition-regulations

Line sizes are deferred to the individual event rules. Assuming you are talking PA (stunt) and sport flying.

   https://www.modelaircraft.org/sites/default/files/CL%20Precision%20Aerobatics%202019-2020.pdf

I'll go pull some info off the rulebook (I just happened to have it open already) and post for you.

Note that if you have a World-Beater that is in the 50 to 64 oz. range, while the rule may allow you to fly on multistranded cable of .015" diameter, you may want to go read a thread here on the 'hanger that discusses the inadvisability of doing so at the upper weight range in anything but calm conditions. It also covered the issue of control feel due to line stretch with the smaller lines.

Finally, I'll mention that the aircraft weight is sans fuel for IC powered systems, and with battery for electron pushers. Not sure which you are enquiring about, so there you have it both ways.

Dave

[Tim Wescott]

There is no separate "control line safety code".  The safety code is unified, for CL, RC, and FF.  It doesn't come up on a search, probably because it's on the banner at the top of the page.

It'll refer you to the AMA general competition regulations for line sizes and whatnot.

[Phil Spillman]

Many Thanks, for the two most helpful responses! I've printed out the parameters and will pin them up in my shop! I am a 2C IC flyer just a bit on the elderly side and IT challenged!

Phil Spillman

[Tim Wescott]

I actually find it a bit irritating when a search doesn't lead you to something that's in a banner like that.  Because -- yes, it's on a freaking big banner.  But often (as in the case when I was looking at the site for you) my eyeballs slide right over the things that they want me to know because I'm too busy looking for what I want to know!