Pull testing

[Paul Taylor]

Just got my new AMA card and was just reading the safety code on the letter where it talks about pull test.
Does the pull test apply for scale and combat? I would assume it would for racing and carrier.
But some of the scale planes look to fragile for a pull test and combat planes are foam with lead outs on top of the wing. Just me thinking out loud.

[Steve Helmick]

ALL CL models get pull tested in contests. They should be pull tested for sport flying and practise, but are generally not. Which reminds me, I was going to request that we hang a pull scale in our shed at the field.  Steve

[Brett Buck]

Just got my new AMA card and was just reading the safety code on the letter where it talks about pull test.
Does the pull test apply for scale and combat? I would assume it would for racing and carrier.
But some of the scale planes look to fragile for a pull test and combat planes are foam with lead outs on top of the wing. Just me thinking out loud.

 
     You have to pass a pull test for sport flights, and all competition events. For competition events, the pull test is specified in the rules. For sport flights, if the model category is not obvious, you use the Stunt pull test rules (10 g's).

    Brett

[MarcusCordeiro]

I think the pull test is so important it should be done frequently. But like Brett said people neglect kg.
We never know...

Marcus

[Dick Pacini]

Would AMA insurance cover fly-away damage caused by line failure in a non-contest scenario?

[Brett Buck]

Would AMA insurance cover fly-away damage caused by line failure in a non-contest scenario?

   Presumably, if you followed the Safety Code. If not, I would expect that it would not.

    Brett

[Dick Pacini]

I made my own pull testing rig that attaches to my truck so I can fly alone and be able to pull test.  Still, in the case of a line failure allowing a flyaway, who is to say the model was in fact pull tested and how could it be verified?

[Paul Taylor]

Dick
Can you post a picture of your truck puller?

[Steve Helmick]

Remember that AMA insurance is secondary insurance. That means that your homeowner's or renter's insurance gets the first opportunity to pay.  Once the limits of your homeowner's/renter's insurance have been sucked dry, then AMA's steps up.  Steve

[Dick Pacini]

Remember that AMA insurance is secondary insurance. That means that your homeowner's or renter's insurance gets the first opportunity to pay.  Once the limits of your homeowner's/renter's insurance have been sucked dry, then AMA's steps up.  Steve

I am aware of that, Steve.  I do wonder under which section that would be covered.  I have been reluctant to inquire about it because insurance companies seem to always try to find ways to increase rates.  I know they ask if you have a dog and what breed it is because that could affect your rates or even be a reason for denial of coverage

[Dick Pacini]

Dick
Can you post a picture of your truck puller?

Paul, I will see if I can get some shots.  I started a write-up of it some time ago and was going to do an article and offer it to Stunt News or CLW

[kenneth cook]

                        Paul, the foam combat wings have either a wood center core rib or a substantial carbon shaft through the middle. The bellcrank is bolted through everything.  When were flying either at Brodak's, or even the local contests the lines are pulled prior to flying EVERY time you go up for a flight.  Unlike stunt where your model is pull tested once unless the lines were removed. Lately, in combat I've been seeing more and more Spiderwire/Spectra lines. These lines are great for this style of flying. I've had more than one set of stainless lines  fail from pull testing due to line entanglements causing kinks and such. Ken

[PerttiMe]

I recall that there have been people reasoning that constant pull testing puts an unnecessary strain on the aircraft and control system, and makes failure more likely.

 

... feel free to comment... or not comment...

[Robert Redmon]

I have seen too many good airplanes damaged (or even destroyed) by crude, hamhanded pull testing methods. The Tulsa Gluedobber pull test rigs are incredibly accurate, repeatable, easy to use, and safe.  Most pull test methods involving people reading the pull force on some kind of spring scale are not. The Gluedobber pull test rig or something similar should be a fixture at all cl flying fields. The Tulsa boys have one for each circle (3). Doug Ames posted a picture of it and a description of its operation in the 2012 Gluedobber contest report. http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=28700.0

[john e. holliday]

I myself when just flying for fun or sport flying insect the whole control system.   When I make up the ends on the lines/cables i do a good hard pull when done.   At contests, I have wondered about the pull test system as it don't seem enough for the plane I am flying.   Nothing like pulling carrier planes that are built to max weight.   Racing planes are also not pulled hard enough in  my thinking.  But, I think in some cases, pull tests do more damage to the system.   

[kenneth cook]

              Just for the record, pull testing in my opinion is a safe and accurate test. I can say  that most of us modelers are skilled enough to do a pull test without damaging the model as Robert claims. It must be certainly nice to have a flying field that a club could certainly leave a pull test rig on site. I can say that's certainly not the case at our flying field in Philadelphia. For starters, were lucky to be able to have a field and it's a field that's a state park.  That being said the rigs would certainly and most definitely would be tampered with. Paul asked in regards to combat and my answer was direct to the point, the models must be pull tested. Seeing that combat has to endure the rigors of mid airs and also line entanglements, how would one know whether or not their equipment is satisfactory for another flight without pull testing ?  The spring scale is accurate enough for the required strength we need to have for combat flying.  The probability of both lines breaking are more than likely not going to happen, but it certainly could. Line breaks are not just the only thing at stake here as I've seen planes have the bellcranks torn out. One thing that is usually overlooked is the handle cable  as a pull test recently revealed it's darkside when my handle cable frayed.  Ken

[Larry Fruits]

Thanks for this thread. It has given me a few ideas as to how to make a pull tester to use by myself at the flying field. I fly alone and have been leery at times, especially when using new lines, plane, or handle. Occasionally I am able to find assistance and give everything a good pull test, but not always.
 A few years ago I was flying and noticed that the controls began to feel mushy, requiring more and more up control during the maneuvers. I decided to fly the flight out level and inspect every thing after landing. Much to my surprise when I got to the handle, I discovered that only two strands on the handle cable remained intact. I have since changed to a hard point handle, like it much better, and feel more confident with it.
 Thanks to this thread I will soon have a pull tester to use at the field.

 Larry

[Steve Helmick]

"Unlike stunt where your model is pull tested once unless the lines were removed."

I often hear people say it isn't required for the second round (or needed)  unless the lines were disconnected and reconnected. Of course, it doesn't say anything like that in the rulebook. I remind people that their lines could very easily be damaged in the pits between flights, and if I have anything to say about it, there will be a pulltest before each official flight. Ideally, we should pulltest before each flight, whether it is an official or not. Don't even bring up not pulling for the 2nd round!  Steve