Flying the Cox Models

Hi Dave.  10# is more than enough.  At contests, the norm is to do a safety pull test on planes at 10X the plane's weight.  10 pounds is equal to 160 ounces.  I don't have one of those Cessnas, but it highly doubt it weighs 16 ounces.  Maybe closer to eight or nine?  In reality, if you could find the 5# test, it would be more than good enough.  But that's not very common in the fishing aisles.

It's fine to tie off the line directly to the bellcrank using any of the approved knots for Spectra braided line.  Just inspect the line before every flight to ensure there's no fraying on the line.

The Uncommon Mark

yes, fraying is what I found to be the problem with spectra. I have fished with it for years and its pretty good but when it comes to fraying its not the best. I find for flying spectra is not as resistand to fraying as steel lines in my view. But many others probably differ. I like spectra / Fishing braid as its cheap, doesnt stretch Toooo much. Hmmm wonder if it stretches on hot days more? out in the sun all day, not in a boat and the water etc. As I think it stretches a little at times, as can steel but not as much in my Op.

I actually find the steel .008 lines easier to handle than spectra. When spectra look like a tangle or knot Just get your knife out and trash your lines. I find steel easier in that respect. Spectra seems to have a mind of its own. It blows everywhere etc. I find the spectra fir flying larger planes is more civilised to handle than for Half A where I prefer steel (but its $$ costly in comparison)

Both have their pros and cons, and I think spectra is probably more popular now than steel maybe? I just hate how all I do is look at spectra and it wraps itself into a twisted knot.
One of those things where you give them a try and see which works best for what you want to do with it.

Certainly being able to tie spectra straight to a bellcrank can make life much easier than using steel.!!!

GaryB
'Yabby'

That's funny Yabby , you beeing a fisher at the ocean and your line knotting at a look maybe use steel for fishing too LOL Your line set up looks good to me , is what i do with some of mine But do have balsa with lead outs because this way I don't have to have dedicated lines for each plane . Switch and adjust if needed ? Fly !

There is a science to that connection, some use a specific knot. For years I just tied a couple of grannies and let it go at that. Later I secured each knot with a drop of CA, but that has it's detractors. In 70 years of flying CL I have never had a model crash because of line knot failure.

Welcome to the hobby.

rsv1cox wrote:There is a science to that connection, some use a specific knot.  For years I just tied a couple of grannies and let it go at that.  Later I secured each knot with a drop of CA, but that has it's detractors.  In 70 years of flying CL I have never had a model crash because of line knot failure.  

Welcome to the hobby.

70 years of observation of something is very good solid science!

GaryB
'Yabby'

Thanks for the post guys. Very useful information.

Spectra approved knots?
Hmm I just used five regular knots to secure the line to the bellcrank.

Are regular knots ok?

David

davehour wrote:Thanks for the post guys. Very useful information.

Spectra approved knots?
Hmm I just used five regular knots to secure the line to the bellcrank.

Are regular knots ok?

David

Hi David

Yes, a "Grannie" is about as regular as you can get and the least desirable.

Bob

Here is a video of me flying the Cessna 150. I know lol

Goodaye David, Great flight, really good job of recording. Thanks for posting. I really enjoy watching people fly their models and appreciate the effort to record and post. Thanks!

Yabby wrote:Goodaye David, Great flight, really good job of recording. Thanks for posting. I really enjoy watching people fly their models and appreciate the effort to record and post. Thanks!

Hey, thank you for the compliments.
CL is a new experience.

Attached is my Cox collection. Hope you enjoy it.

The Super Chipmunk should be the next to try when I feel fine flying the Cessna150 and asking for more.  
I will also fly my nostalgia models which are the Stuka, the RC Cub Trainer and SkyCopter  (here is the link of an ongoing thread about my Cox RC Cub Trainer: https://www.coxengineforum.com/t16583-cox-radio-control-cub-trainer#220748 .

I might build and fly the Sky Rally at some point in the future.

The Extra 300 and Cobra, will stay in their boxes for now. They might be flown when I have grandchildren.

The last model to try will be the Hyper Viper.
My goal is to learn basic aerobatics and have fun doing them.

David, first nice model! Second, great flight. I'm amazed you were able to remain upright on such short lines. Third, great collection I'm Envious.

Well done!

Bob

I enjoyed it too and liked the long roll out on landing….Not so easy and even a bit risky over pavement….. Nice to see that classic fly….Looks well taken care of and/or restored….Thank you for sharing that ….

Robert

Appreciate your comments guys!
They are encouraging to go on.
Thanks again.

Greenie for you man , way to go with the flight never seen one of these fly , looks pretty stable for plastic and the Cox sounded good ! Nice collection going on Have Fun !!

rsv1cox wrote:David, first nice model!  Second, great flight.  I'm amazed you were able to remain upright on such short lines.   Third, great collection I'm Envious.  

Well done!

Bob

The lines are 30’ long. How longer they should be?

The lines should be a length where by you have good tension on the lines all the time so as that you can fly the model properly and also such that you are not turning too fast. But if you increase the line length a few feet can make quite a difference. You could try 35 feet but it would want to be a good day. Also if the lines are too long it is harder to fly and the effect of any wind is worse and makes things harder. I usually fly 35 feet an 049 that is not a TD. But the plane also makes a difference. Some planes are heavy and or have a profile that has a lot of drag and you will need shorter lines. Its better that you have started with lines the length you have rather than lines that are too long. Maybe try lines that are 3 feet longer. Its hard to say because line length is also very individual. Some people are happy to fly with less line tension than others. You have done great doing what you did. I wouldnt complicate it too much.

Others more expert than myself may yet post and advise, I know I tend to fly longer rather than shorter lines, but I also fly over nice soft grass and I fly cheap quickly made balsa slab profile planes and I tend to use TD 049s so its a bit different.

davehour wrote:

rsv1cox wrote:David, first nice model!  Second, great flight.  I'm amazed you were able to remain upright on such short lines.   Third, great collection I'm Envious.  

Well done!

Bob

The lines are 30’ long. How longer they should be?

Hmm, they didn't look that long in your video. Perspective I guess. 30' should be ok but I usually flew on 35 + depending on the engine.

Bob

rsv1cox wrote:

Hmm, they didn't look that long in your video.  Perspective I guess.  30' should be ok but I usually flew on 35 + depending on the engine.  

Bob

I measured them. They are actually 26-1/2’. Went for 30’ when installing them. Human error.

Thanks for pointing this out.

davehour wrote:

rsv1cox wrote:

Hmm, they didn't look that long in your video.  Perspective I guess.  30' should be ok but I usually flew on 35 + depending on the engine.  

Bob

I measured them. They are actually 26-1/2’. Went for 30’ when installing them. Human error.

Thanks for pointing this out.

No charge.

Bob

It’s always fun to watch a vintage Cox flight video! Great job!

Jerry wrote:It’s always fun to watch a vintage Cox flight video!   Great job!

Thank you very much!

Managed to fly the Super Chipmunk. I’m having fun with it.

Thanks for the help!

Nice job flying the Chipmunk Dave…. The engine sounded great!!!…. Airplane flies really well…. And making videos for posterity’s sake