Use RC to Control Throttle-Electric Control Line?

[Dave Hable]

I'm into RC, and have not flown control line in many-many years. I would like to get into electric control line.  I have the EFlite electric PT-19 ARF (unassembled)  which can be set up as either RC or control line. I've seen and read good reviews of this ARF online in its control  line setup.

Instead of using a timer to control start delay, duration, and RPM, would it be feasible just to use an RC receiver in the airplane, with a transmitter strapped to my belt to control the throttle? I'm thinking that way my left hand would have constant control over delay, flight duration, and motor RPM/speed. (I would not use the transmitter to control anything else on the aircraft. I don't intend to install any servos for aileron, elevator, or rudder. )

What does anyone think about that? Better yet, has anyone tried something like that?

(NOTE: The transmitter in question would be a Spektrum DX 2.4 ghz--no long 72 mhz antenna involved.)

[Brett Buck]

I'm into RC, and have not flown control line in many-many years. I would like to get into electric control line.  I have the EFlite electric PT-19 ARF (unassembled)  which can be set up as either RC or control line. I've seen and read good reviews of this ARF online in its control  line setup.

Instead of using a timer to control start delay, duration, and RPM, would it be feasible just to use an RC receiver in the airplane, with a transmitter strapped to my belt to control the throttle? I'm thinking that way my left hand would have constant control over delay, flight duration, and motor RPM/speed. (I would not use the transmitter to control anything else on the aircraft. I don't intend to install any servos for aileron, elevator, or rudder. )

What does anyone think about that? Better yet, has anyone tried something like that?

(NOTE: The transmitter in question would be a Spektrum DX 2.4 ghz--no long 72 mhz antenna involved.)

   That will work fine. It will even be legal for competition, if my proposal is accepted. I have seen people do it, it works fine.

   Brett

[Duke.Johnson]

My boys and I had this model.  We used it as a control liner and have a friend that had it as a RC plane.  We both thought the same thing, it's not a very good plane.  BUT, it does make a pretty good control line trainer.  It's a good size plane and very stable.  It will fly slow and stay at the end of the lines for you.  With the Rx in it, it will be easy for you to abort the flight if needed (problems, dizzy, ect.).  Some CL guys convert a car Tx into a Cl handle, like we do with our Cl carrier planes.
Hope you have a great time getting back into control line (CL).  You will find all the help you need right here on this forum. Welcome to the forum!

[Keith Renecle]

My boys and I had this model.  We used it as a control liner and have a friend that had it as a RC plane.  We both thought the same thing, it's not a very good plane.  BUT, it does make a pretty good control line trainer.  It's a good size plane and very stable.  It will fly slow and stay at the end of the lines for you.  With the Rx in it, it will be easy for you to abort the flight if needed (problems, dizzy, ect.).  Some CL guys convert a car Tx into a Cl handle, like we do with our Cl carrier planes.
Hope you have a great time getting back into control line (CL).  You will find all the help you need right here on this forum. Welcome to the forum!

Hi Dave,
It does work fine, but it's not so easy to fly with. Some years ago, Windy Urtnowski used an infra-red link for throttle control and ended up with a 3-position throttle instead of full control. Once you've flown with the Tx, you'll see why. For scale models and that sort of flying, it works great. The other problem is that when you find a good throttle position, the model slows down under load and speeds up on the downhills. As the battery runs down this gets more noticeable as well. This is why we use governor system for flying decent stunt. You can buy esc's with heli governor's in them, even low-cost ones, and use them with you Tx. The governor range will work for around 50% to about 85% of the throttle range.

I still use my R/C system sometimes to check the yaw angle trim at varying speeds, but to fly a really good stunt pattern with a throttle stick is not easy. I fly FAI stunt and throttle control is not allowed by the rules, but without some kind of governor system, flying stunt with electric is like using a lousy glow engine that speeds up and slows down all the time. When I started out in electric stunt, I tried all these idea's and ended up making my governor timer system that does not require any special esc. If you look around the net there are a few of the low-cost esc's that do have a governor. One that comes to mind is the YEP from Hobbyking. Some of the Hobbywing and ZTW esc's also have heli governors.

The motor to use on the PT-19 is something like the E-Flite Power 15 or any motor that weighs around 140 grams (5 oz.)with a KV of around 900 with a 4-cell 2200 lipo. The prop that works is the APC 11 x 5.5. Have fun and if you have other questions just keep asking on this forum and you are sure to find the answers.

Keith R

[Duke.Johnson]

The Power 15 might do that plane well, the power kit that came with it had a 480 outrunner. But it did make a good trainer.

[Paul Taylor]

If you plan on using the lines that came with the plane- check to ensure the ends are crimped. We found two kits at a LHS that had lines that were not secured.

[Fred Cronenwett]

I fly CL scale with the transmitter on my hip and fly the model with normal stunt lines that controls the elevator. With a little practice it works fine but you do have to do all of the operations with the transmitter by feel.

There are two types of systems available, 2.4 Ghz handles that have a trigger for the throttle and then some like myself put the transmitter on the hip. Some compare this to patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time. After flying both types I have no problem operating the throttle stick on the transmitter while my right hand does the flying.

Guys are taking two ways to do this:

1) modify an existing car transmitter and attach lines to it and then use the trigger for the throttle. If you need to adjust the throttle while you start the engine you have to bring the handle back to the model and drag your lines around.

2) or...fly with a std set of lines and handle and hang the transmitter your hip. The advantage is that you can start the engine while the transmitter is with you at all times and the handle stays in the center of the circle.

Watch this video to see how we had the servo driver on your hips, replace that with a transmitter and you are set,




Fred

[Gerald Arana]

That was pretty cool! 

Jerry