How to Buy Control-Line Model Aircraft
- 1). Do a bit of research. Start slowly and practice before deciding what aspect of control-line flying will appeal to you.
- 2). Find a control-line model flying club.
- 3). Attend meetings, get acquainted with model fliers and take part in club activities.
- 4). Ask knowledgeable club members about the simplest, most economical way to begin in the hobby.
- 5). Check out hobby shops and online retailers such as eHobbies.com to learn about model availability, necessary tools and other supplies.
- 6). Develop a rapport with knowledgeable merchants and clerks.
- 7). Remember that control-line flying is a sophisticated hobby, and many fliers proceed to aerobatics, model combat, speed runs and team racing.
- 8). Note that other modes may end in model damage. For example, model combat requires a competitor to trim a trailing paper streamer from an opponent's aircraft tail by using her own aircraft's propeller.
- 9). Check out the specialized control-line models from manufacturers such as Brodak, Cox, Carl Goldberg, Perfect, Sig, Sterling and Sullivan.
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Begin with a trainer model. Trainers have their weight distributed forward and have large tail surfaces. Control inputs are mechanically slower, because novices are often prone to overcontrolling. - 11
Find a friendly and patient mentor. Control-line model airplane flying looks simple, but it requires a special touch. Better to be humble, listen and learn than to buy and build several new model airplanes.
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