CONTROL LINE SCALE
Bill Boss 77-06 269th Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
CONTROL SYSTEMS—especially our three-line handles—have been talked about at great length. However, it appears that we have ignored, or perhaps not thought too much about, one very important factor: how to make adjustments or compensate for uneven flying lines on model leadouts.
Most of us do our best to make all of our flying lines the same length, and to make bellcrank leadouts to the specific lengths required for the three-line bellcrank and handle we're using. However, it seems that no matter how hard we try to be exact, we can always count on a line or leadout being off just a bit.
We want our lines to be exact so that the throttle control works well, and so we have a good neutral elevator position. It's very disconcerting to have to keep a little up or down control on the model to keep it in level flight. A comfortable feeling at the handle makes for a better flight.
If you're flying Scale with electronics and a two-line handle (such as the E-Z Just), compensating for uneven lines is rather simple. An adjustment of the handle's leadout-attachment wire on the up or down side of the handle solves the problem. However, the three-line handle has no such adjustment.
Rather than use uneven-size line clips to compensate for uneven lines, the accompanying sketch shows an adjusting device used by George Lieb, a member of the Orbiting Eagles of Omaha. It compensates for uneven lines and fine-tunes the model's elevator neutral position. The device, added to the handle's upper line, is made from materials found in most workshops.
While the sketch shows the handle's up leadout shortened to accommodate the device, I would suggest that you first try the device on a handle by adding extra line clips, or a piece of steel strap (the length of the adjusting device) to the lower line for a trial.
Care should be exercised when grinding the flat on the end of the screw and when drilling the hole for the line clip. Be sure the hole is drilled in the center of the flattened area of the screw. While the sketch shows a two-inch-long bolt, a 1-1/2- or 1-1/4-inch bolt would probably provide all the adjustment needed.
Once the device is in place, adjustment is simple: loosen the wing nut, turn the screw in or out, and retighten the wing nut.
Contest Activity
- The Indy Sportliners and Muncie Controllers are cosponsoring a Midwest Regional Control Line contest at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana, June 1–2, 1996, as a warmup for this year's Muncie Nationals. Events at the meet will include Stunt, Speed, Scale, Racing, Combat, and Carrier. It will be a good opportunity to check out the Muncie site prior to the Nationals. For full details on this contest, contact George Kite at (317) 637-1493.
Nationals — CL and RC Scale events (information from the Indy Sportliner newsletter; courtesy John Guenther, Scale Category Manager)
These events and meetings will take place at the Radisson Hotel Roberts in Muncie.
- Monday, July 8
- CL and RC flight judge and contestant meeting at 8 p.m. for CL Profile, RC Fun, and Team Scale events.
- These events will be flown on Tuesday, July 9, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 10
- National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (NASA) seminars: 9 a.m.–noon, and 1:30–3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 11
- NASA US FAI Scale seminar: 9 a.m.–noon.
- CL and RC judges' and workers' meeting: 3–5 p.m.
- NASA annual business meeting: 8–9 p.m.
- Celebration of Eagles reception begins at 9 p.m. — a special gathering of past Nationals competitors invited to attend and participate in this year's events. Former AMA President and Executive Director John Worth will coordinate this special event.
- Friday, July 12
- Static judging of all CL and RC Scale models: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- NASA Happy Hour, Banquet, and recognition of the Celebration of Eagles: 6:30–8 p.m.
- CL and RC judges and contestants will meet after 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, July 13–14
- All CL and RC Scale events: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Garden State Circle Burners (GSCB) — 12th Annual CL Carrier Meet
- Scheduled for June 23, 1996. The meet will include Profile Scale and the Fun Scale event.
- The contest will be held at the club field on Two Bridges Road in Lincoln Park, New Jersey.
- For full contest details contact Roy Ward: 19 Hewlett Road, Towaco, NJ 07082; Tel.: (201) 402-0925.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
