What are your goals?

[Mike Palko]

I just wanted to keep things alive in the ECL forum so i thought i would ask what your goals are? Where do you want to go with ECL flying (sport flying, competition)? What size models do you want to fly? What kind of performance are you looking for? Full time hobby or fly gas control line also, or ERC or what ever.

I would like to have my ECL planes perform as well as possible. I would say i am more towards the high performance end. I am a sport flyer and also into the competition. Right now i am working on the precision aerobatics end of the spectrum, but soon i think i am going to look into the sport flying side of it. Build something like a flight streak that performs well but the flight time doesn't have to be 5-6min. Go for more of just all out power for say 2min. I guess you could say i am into anything ECL. To me it is a challenge to do and is very enjoyable trying new setups and learning along the way. I only fly CL both gas and electric. I think if i could get a few good setups i would fly mostly ECL. If anyone else has anything to add please do!

[robertc]

Hi Mike, I have probably posted here before that my only interest is technical. I do however think for me any pleasure derived from control line relates to battling the strong pull on the lines with a larger plane than a S400 type. It is a different sensation to flying radio. I have now binned the S400 model as an attempt for me to video it ended in an 'ouch' by my test pilot. Not worried as I had learned all I wanted to from it. My next project is a 10 cell plane using a geared buggy type motor with normal lines and maybe a remote on/off radio switching device I haven't invented yet. It will have a fuse in case of nose over, a switch to arm it (or turn it on until I build the remote device). It will be based on my current standard 10 cell r/c plane. Information is posted on a similar type to what I envisage on a previous thread in this forum. My experiences so far lead me to these conclusions.
1. although a simple on/off is easily obtained with covered wire it has limitations and I think the separate remote is a better idea as it allows regular lines to be used.
2. much the same as I found with flying .049 powered c/l planes the plane needs to be bigger to fly positively in normal windy conditions. Bigger is better
3. it is the physical feedback of strong pull on the lines and performing manouvers that end inches from the ground that seems to me to be the attraction of control ine.
4. I think for someone who wanted to build scale planes and watch them fly in a restricted area control ine is ideal.
5. It would seem that all the advantages of geared motors that show up in r/c use apply to c/l .
regards
Bob

[steve lewin]

My problem is that I like anything that flies so I play with R/C, Free Flight and C/L. Rubber, IC, C02, electric, indoors or out, I'm not fussy. I'm no good at flying any of them but I like the technical challenges.

Other than the serious Pattern guys most C/L I see/recall seems to be .15/.19 size stunt or combat. My current ambition is just to fly something like a Peacemaker through a reasonable pattern with electrics (but I'm having to relearn flying C/L from scratch after 30-odd years out of modelling).

BTW Bob I've had some fun using a simple infra-red switch for on-off. I got bogged down trying to upgrade it to proportional throttle but it worked fine for latched on/off. Saves you having to mess with insulated lines as you say. Ideal if you're lone flier like I am much of the time (not many C/L fliers around here).

Steve