Control Line

Control Line – Flying with strings (wires) attached.

In Control line flying, the pilot stands in the centre of the flight circle and the model flies around him (or her), restrained by two lines running from a control handle through the inboard wing of the model and connected to its elevator, thus controlling pitch and height.

The model thus flies in a half hemisphere around the pilot, who must have good reflexes and skill to avoid hitting the ground which is never more than 22m away. This is particularly important in precision aerobatics when a schedule of tricky manoeuvres are performed.

The pilot feels the pull of the model on the handle and the need for direct and physical control means that continous movement and turning to follow it, is essential.

Models are powered by either IC engines or electric motors and the lines are steel or special high strength polyethylene.

An active group of NZ modellers regularly experience the delights, challenges and excitement of control line flying in a number of disciplines:

Precision aerobatics or stunt. Four classes for beginners through to international FAI level.

Team racing A number of classes catering for all levels of skill and complexity up to international FAI grade. Up to three pilots in the same circle at once, race over a fixed number of laps. Each has a pit crew for refuelling and restarting the engine.

Combat What it sounds like! Two pilots fly against each other in the same circle at the same time and try to cut the opponents streamer to win the bout. Two classes, a NZ slow class and the international FAI class.

Scale Three classes, profile, general and FAI. RC operation of special features is allowed.

A video link showing typical aerobatic control line model flying is here:

Introduction to Control Line Flying – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4rqILAs_xo

Here is the same modeller with an explanation of CL flying: Control Line Airplane Flying Explanation

If you can stand the American way of presenting a movie, here is an American AMA film of CL flying showing all the various disciplines. AMA Wired for excitement

Speed Highly developed propeller and pulse jet powered models are flown.

General sport flying. Most control line enthusiasts fly with the intention of developing their models and skill for competition, however many fly just for the fun of it, and all CL flying provides the thrill of feeling the model in flight and satisfaction of a safe landing at the end!