This blog is for various thoughts, articles and for me to pontificate about my hobby: Building and flying Control Line model aircraft. .
So what is a Control Line Model Aircraft?
It’s a remotely controlled model aircraft flown in a circle around the pilot on two very thin but strong steel wires up to about 22 metres long. The pilot holds a C shaped handle which is manipulated to pull the wires and operate the model’s elevator making the model go up or down and perform aerobatics, literally fly by wires. Traditionally models are powered by small internal combustion engines of the sort that are also used in radio control models. Modern electric motors and batteries make electrically powered models practical and many control line fliers use electric power today.
Why do I fly Control Line?
- Its a unique and fun way to fly a model aircraft, you get a real feel of what the model is doing.
- Models can be operated in a relatively small space.
- Most models have a wingspan of less than about 1.5m making them easily transportable in the smaller cars of today.
- Many models are of straightforward construction and have a simple control system.
In my opinion building and flying Control Line models is an ideal retro hobby for the 21st Century.