OK, I don't fly C/L scale... yet.
it is harder to get a "handle on" than the guys who are directly involved in it understand. By that I mean, the rules in the AMA Rule book sound like Arabic at times. Those whom have been involved for years, or who live near someone who has been, can "see" what is required and go from there. Living in an area where no one flies C/L, or scale of any kind, it could well be written in hieroglyphics. If Dale Campbell lived much closer, or Richard Schnider (sp?), then maybe I would have a better chance at getting started.
So, my opinion is probably a moot point. But here goes: I believe
Control Line is just that.
A model airplane controlled by "lines". Clancy has awesome systems (even though I am still not completely sure which components I need! LOL!!) but they are consistent, pretty fail safe, and use the "LINES" to control the model airplane. That seems to exactly "fit" the definition of "Control Line". Using just two lines to control the elevator and using a R/C system to do the rest just doesn't fit that same criteria in my opinion. And allowing the use of same isn't going to greatly increase the participation in C/L Scale on any level. The problems of participation in C/L events goes much deeper than the system(s) allowed to control functions.
Again, I know the opinion of a "non participant" never carries much weight, but I would really like to BE a participant in the event, going as far as having at least one model framed up. So, to that extent, I have an opinion. I am sure the participants will get what they want as has been the case in C/L forever, and to that point several events have pretty much died, or became the playground of a few die hards.
The problem is, most everyone "here" has always been gracious with my questions and have offered help in all cases. I just need a book along the lines of "C/L Scale for Dummies". Simply reading the rules does nothing to
explain what is actually "needed to compete".
My infatuation comes from the actual viewing in past times at the NATS of Scale C/L planes flying and looking awesome doing so. (Jack Sheets calling out "Scale Crash Landing" when one of his gear would not extend was hilarious!) The building and actual flying, or the researching of a scale C/L model is not a problem, knowing exactly what to show up with, and how to present it, is the unknown. It's tough when you live at least 100 miles from a scale competitor, and no events are with in a day's drive. The MCLS did have "Unofficial Scale" in a couple classes for a short period, but dropped it before I could even have a chance to enter the first time. Dale and Richard put it on, IIRC.
Bill Little