Flite Streak setup questions

Hello friends,

Setup questions for a Flite Streak with a novice/nervous pilot....

a) Are 60 foot lines too long for a FS with an OS LA25 engine? (especially since I plan on running the engine very rich/slow)

b) How much elevator travel should I see with full up/full down? I have placed a larger control horn on the plane - but I worry I have made the plane too insensitive.

c) When I move the control handle to full up the bottom line goes slack a little. Should it?

d) Is it reasonable to tame a flite streak - or should we pick something else to work with?

Sorry if these are dumb questions...I have not done this since I was a kid - this is much differnt than the 1/2a cox planes I grew up with. My nine year old son and I have decided we would rather do control line than rc. (We are having a blast by the way.....)

Good questions all....
I think that you'll find that 60' lines work great with an LA .25 as power. I would suggest that instead of de-tuning the motor, that you control the speed with a prop....like a lower gear....

Must agree that although a LA .25 may pull larger props, it is happy with a 9X4...APC probably the best, but most are good.

You did right by putting the larger horn on it, and it will work fine while you get used to it plane.

You didn't mention about the up line getting slack when full down is applied....I'll bet that it does and everything should be okay as long as you have equal (or fairly close to equal) up and down.

Have fun with the STREAK!

Join PAMPA.

See Ya

When I flew combat planes I would do 3 loops at full lock and see if the plane would slow down too much by the third loop.

I've had alot of fun and success learing with planes that wern't as good as a flight streak. I would definitly keep working with it.

>Hello friends,
>
>Setup questions for a Flite Streak with a novice/nervous
>pilot....
>
>a) Are 60 foot lines too long for a FS with an OS LA25
>engine? (especially since I plan on running the engine very
>rich/slow)
>
>b) How much elevator travel should I see with full up/full
>down? I have placed a larger control horn on the plane -
>but I worry I have made the plane too insensitive.
>
>c) When I move the control handle to full up the bottom line
>goes slack a little. Should it?
>
>d) Is it reasonable to tame a flite streak - or should we
>pick something else to work with?
>
>Sorry if these are dumb questions...I have not done this
>since I was a kid - this is much differnt than the 1/2a cox
>planes I grew up with. My nine year old son and I have
>decided we would rather do control line than rc. (We are
>having a blast by the way.....)

While it is rarely wise to do so, I must agree with Peabody this time around. Had you been a PAMPA member 5 or 6 months ago you would already know far, far more than anyone ever thought of asking...

While I have no idea why you would want to run a 25LA slowly, 60-foot lines--center-to-center--are not a problem. While not legal for competition, .012s are a lot better than .015s.

The Dirtmobile has a total of 1 1/4" up and down, when flown with a Magnum handle (near 4" leadout spacing) there is generally too much control for the majority of fliers. I use a hard-point handle with less than 3" leadout spacing, but as they are time-consuming to adjust few bother borrowing it.

Related, Dirtmobile balances a mere 1 5/8" behind leading edge of wing; your ideal balance point will not be more than 1/8" from this position. Honest. Assuming you want to fly the Stunt pattern.

While I may get some grief over this, you have asked a specific question, and I will give a specific answer: Flite Streak can **most certainly** be tamed; indeed can be a pretty potent Stunt Weapon. Mike Hazel a month ago used Dirtmobile to post a personal best of 453 in Advanced PA, no appearance points. Mike is a CL Speed flier, had the benefit of *one* practice flight, used model to good effect in Classic and Sportsman P-40 (four more flights) prior to Sunday's PA competition, make your own judgments.

I used same model to win Expert P-40 with a 493 scoring. Again, no appearance points. And no day-of-contest test flights, come to think of it. Every mid-pack Expert PA flier I know could put this model into the low 500s, given one or two good practice sessions prior to any NW CL Stunt contest. Fact.

Butt-monkey Alert: *But* I am *not* using a 25LA on the Dirtmobile, and that is all I am allowed to say about that...

Insert choice of frowning icons.

>Every mid-pack Expert PA flier
>I know could put this model into the low 500s, given one or
>two good practice sessions prior to any NW CL Stunt contest.
>Fact.

I would hope every mid-pack expert could fly just about ANY ARF to low 500's with a couple of practice flights. They are after all, Experts.

Constant harping on, who scored how much with what, means very, very little, especially at the advanced and expert level. If on the other hand your "dirt mobile" allowed a beginner to place in intermediate after one or two flights then you might have something worth constantly bragging about.

+ and - 25% or so is enough for a Streak elevator. I have had something like five of these.

CatDaddy,

Good you checked in, as your response might indicate an understandble bit of confusion out there.

>>Every mid-pack Expert PA flier
>>I know could put this model into the low 500s, given one or
>>two good practice sessions prior to any NW CL Stunt contest.
>>Fact.

>
>I would hope every mid-pack expert could fly just about ANY
>ARF to low 500's with a couple of practice flights. They are
>after all, Experts.
>

Yes, but we are talking about people with whom I fly, and in a specific region. It's a demonstrated fact that a mid-pack NW Expert can put the Dirtmobile into the 500s while using his dedicated PA model to score in the 510-525 bracket. I find that a little amazing...

>Constant harping on, who scored how much with what, means
>very, very little, especially at the advanced and expert
>level. If on the other hand your "dirt mobile" allowed a
>beginner to place in intermediate after one or two flights
>then you might have something worth constantly bragging
>about.

Agreed. Mike Hazel had been flying in Intermediate prior to, maybe, a couple shots at Advanced. You'll just have to take at face value the demonstrated improvement--a personal best, remember, without appearance points--that I mentioned.

Bragging? I'm bragging about a stupid ARF that is very nearly stock, that has been punched in several times, has non-matching patches on the wing, and in which I have absolutely no emotional attachment or ego involvement whatsoever?

It's nothing more than a beat-up piece with which numerous friends and myself have had some fun. And it is easily replicated with $70.00 and an evening's work.

Regards right back,

>Yes, but we are talking about people with whom I fly, and in
>a specific region. It's a demonstrated fact that a mid-pack
>NW Expert can put the Dirtmobile into the 500s while using
>his dedicated PA model to score in the 510-525 bracket. I
>find that a little amazing...

You find that amazing? Wow...that's amazing.

>>Constant harping on, who scored how much with what, means
>>very, very little, especially at the advanced and expert
>>level. If on the other hand your "dirt mobile" allowed a
>>beginner to place in intermediate after one or two flights
>>then you might have something worth constantly bragging
>>about.
>
>Agreed. Mike Hazel had been flying in Intermediate prior to,
>maybe, a couple shots at Advanced. You'll just have to take
>at face value the demonstrated improvement--a personal best,
>remember, without appearance points--that I mentioned.
>
>Bragging? I'm bragging about a stupid ARF that is very
>nearly stock, that has been punched in several times, has
>non-matching patches on the wing, and in which I have
>absolutely no emotional attachment or ego involvement
>whatsoever?

Dan, you may find this amazing as well, most everything that comes out of your mouth or through your writing is considered by most of us as bragging. It's part of your charm.

>It's nothing more than a beat-up piece with which numerous
>friends and myself have had some fun. And it is easily
>replicated with $70.00 and an evening's work.
>
>Regards right back,
>
>Dan
>

I use 57 ' 012 lines on my 25's and the Flite streak has the middle hole at the belcrank and the bottom hole on the elevator, the only changes made to the FS was the landing gear , I use a 38 Special Brodak LG . Built a FS for Mike and I changed the Plastic Cockpit for a balsa with silver Monocote , looks sharp and adds a little more strength to the nose. The FS is a great trainer but dont crash it as its not too strong.See Ya NEAL:)

>>Yes, but we are talking about people with whom I fly, and in
>>a specific region. It's a demonstrated fact that a mid-pack
>>NW Expert can put the Dirtmobile into the 500s while using
>>his dedicated PA model to score in the 510-525 bracket. I
>>find that a little amazing...
>
>
>You find that amazing? Wow...that's amazing.

Sigh. Yes, when a profile sport/combat model from the 60s, built in China, hits my front stoop for $70.00, is flying the very next day and then later goes on to (twice, I am saddened and depressed to say) score within 10 points or so of a Saito 56-powered Impact over which I slaved for months, I do find that amazing. Even if I am the only one who feels this way.

>
>
>>>Constant harping on, who scored how much with what, means
>>>very, very little, especially at the advanced and expert
>>>level. If on the other hand your "dirt mobile" allowed a
>>>beginner to place in intermediate after one or two flights
>>>then you might have something worth constantly bragging
>>>about.
>>
>>Agreed. Mike Hazel had been flying in Intermediate prior to,
>>maybe, a couple shots at Advanced. You'll just have to take
>>at face value the demonstrated improvement--a personal best,
>>remember, without appearance points--that I mentioned.
>>
>>Bragging? I'm bragging about a stupid ARF that is very
>>nearly stock, that has been punched in several times, has
>>non-matching patches on the wing, and in which I have
>>absolutely no emotional attachment or ego involvement
>>whatsoever?
>
>
>Dan, you may find this amazing as well, most everything that
>comes out of your mouth or through your writing is
>considered by most of us as bragging. It's part of your
>charm.

I don't find braggarts charming, locally am not known to be one. Then again, if ya can deliver, they say it's not bragging...

Regards,

Dan

>
>
>>It's nothing more than a beat-up piece with which numerous
>>friends and myself have had some fun. And it is easily
>>replicated with $70.00 and an evening's work.
>>
>>Regards right back,
>>
>>Dan
>>
>
>regards,
>Rick "catdaddy" Blankenship

I only have an old kit Top Flite Flite Streak. It was a "moving up" plane for my son about 10 years ago, and he was in the REAL "Beginner" ranks at the time. We flew it on a Fox 25, and it served him very nicely.
At the present time, it is stripped and ready for a recovering and "restoration". Power will be the unmentionable engine set up.
I have seen quite a few ARF Streaks now, powered by a lot of different engines, the most common around here is a LA 25.
Don't try to run them rich, put them in a wet 2 cycle, and go have fun. Make sure the balance point (CG) is where it's supposed to be. I understand the early kits had a reference to C/G behind the par quite a ways back. Not good!
You should have a ball, and they are pretty tough.
Bill <><

>Make sure the balance point (CG) is where it's
>supposed to be. I understand the early kits had a reference
>to C/G behind the par quite a ways back. Not good!
>You should have a ball, and they are pretty tough.
>Bill <><
>
>When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his
>friends.
>Japanese Proverb

Bill is correct, and I refer you to my suggestion as to balance point.

However, in checking a set of old Top Flite plans, new ARF and instructions merely replicated the same balance point called for originally, almost exactly twice as far back as I currently am using.

2Dizzy,
The Flite Streak ARF worked out real well to teach my nephew to fly C/L. He had watched but never flown C/L, only r/c. We set it up with a restricted elevator travel (about 5 degrees each way). We are running an O.S. 25S with the r/c carb locked open and a 9-5 Master Airscrew prop.It runs an excellent 4-2-4 We also used the stock tank that came with the plane and it is just enough fuel for a beginner NOT to get dizzy on. We use 52 ft x .012 lines. We have since removed the elevator restrictors. The Streak has allowed him some hard landings without so much as a crack. (yet) I would advise it for any newbie...

My ARF Streak uses an LA25cl with a through the venturi FP20-40 needle valve, a 9-6 apc. (Happened to have one and OS suggests the size.) It has proved docile and flexible, handling the weird winds and calm. I use about 25% elevator throw. 60 feet 015 lines. It has the distinction of being the only plane I fly that never crashed. Also my only ARF currently in use. It's a marriage. We're easy on each other. It does the beginner pattern no sweat. Allows me to practice. Keep that big tale fin in alignment. Watch out for twisting in the fuse. (Cut off elevator and realign if needed or forget about the ugly offset, I've seen both approaches work.) Around Philly they're fifty bucks. I run my engine with muffler pressure and the stock muffler. The tank is set up for richer run on oustides than insides. Helps me with the eights.

geeeeze.......i been away along time...didnt even know there was an "arf" flite streak.....im goin why? ... with th fast drying glue and monocote ...a flite sreak kit for me would be a day if i was in a hurry...3 days tops...half th fun of models is building something that flies ..guess im a fossil ... ha ha ha ha ha ... actually a flite streak was a pretty good flying profile.. .... i built one in 1960 with a monoline set up it would do 30 inside loops about 2 feet in diamiter before it got to close to th ground i leanred how to fly monline with it was fun and really fast with that monline it would do some crazy stuff ... with a monoline slack line dont matter u still got control .... a friend of mine finally crashed it and he never fixed it ...jim:P

Having flown the "Dirtmobile" twice (not contest flights), and not highly qualified as a flier, it was surprising just how docile the critter flew. Important, I think, are the slow controls, not too far aft CG, reasonable airspeed and quiet muffler. The quieter it sounds, the slower it seems. I think that's part of the 4 stroke appeal. It sounds slow, you think it's slow, so it's very managable. A screaming loud ear-shattering exhaust note will seem much faster, even if same.

I can't see any reason why Dirt would be trying to brag about owning this POS. Rather, it's his sick way of encouraging others (like me) to get one and go fly stunt with it. What chaps my hide is him using an engine that is out of production. Booo! Steve

Bill Gruber, in case you are reading this, above is an example of the communication we discussed at the Nats. I am hopeful that your homeboys are working to reverse this trend.

As for the Flite Streak, I must take advantage of the rare opportunity to agree with Dan and Peabody.

I remember the old Top Flite Flite Streak as being rigid and prone to shattering on impact, especially when covered with paper. A novice who hits the ground frequently may be better off with something more crashworthy.

I am not one to defend Dan, as he is so eager and capable to defend himself, but there is something strange about the argument above. Dan is saying that the ARF Flite Streak is a good product. To imply that saying something good about an item with which one's only involvement is to buy it is bragging suggests that the accuser thinks mere ownership is an accomplishment. I hope that that way of thinking is not invading CL stunt. Stunt people appreciate each other's craftsmanship, ingenuity, knowledge, and flying skill. I hope it stays that way. In a nation which once could build a rocket to put men on the moon but now can't even make its own ping pong balls, our sport is becoming unique. Someday the Nats stunt winner may be proud of the trophy he got for buying an airplane and hiring somebody to fly it, but I hope that's not soon.

I like to build, tho I'm hardly of competition caliber. I must have built at least five planes in the last two years. All profiles. It gets somewhat faster and the craftsmanship improves. Teaching myself to spray paint has been a gas. I bought an ARF Streak in a desperate mood, having crashed the last of my flyable self built models and finding myself for the first time in two years (since I retreaded myself) with nothing to hang an engine on. It was cheap (cheaper than a kit) and was done by the next day. The LA25cl, a brand new engine (also a first in the last two years) started with a flip or two. We ran out a tank on the ground and I flew it as is, set up with original leadouts etc. The tank looked junky and too small and was put aside in favor of a Brodak short nose profile. This has been a lucky and docile hook up. Must have nearly 50 flights on it by now. Does it fly better than the three Streaks I build previously? in some ways yes, in some no. Will I stop building? hardly. I've laid up the fractured wing on a recently dorked twister and that should be in the air shortly. Two weeks ago I finished a jr streak with an FP15. It looks good to me and with a little this and that has started to fly fast and predictably. There's a Dick Mathis profile I plan to xerox this week or next so that I can cut out the ribs etc. and cy some balsa. I'm this close to ripping a Brodak Buster out of the box , touching up the ribs and Cying it quick, fast and in a hurry. And a Magician, a Tanager and and and.

The ARF concept (I've two Cardinals and an Oriental, amazing structures for the money) means one can get in the air right now, usually with less trimming issues, at least for an enthusiast like myself who is learning to keep it straight and true. Admittedly I was standoffish with my ARF at first, but flying it time and again I grew to appreciate its usefulness in this hobby. One of those constructions that doesn't owe me anything. Like a used car bought cheap that gets you to work for a year or two without repairs. Functionality makes for fondness.

I agree with Howard about the dual nature of our hobby building AND flying. All of us agree on the beauty of the artworks circling around and around doing the pattern or stunting as simple recreation. The craftsmanship gives great pleasure to viewer and maker. This I think is an implicit draw. At least in my case as long as I cut myself a break about my skill level. But the ARFs allow us to keep at the flying end when for one reason or another that's all there is. As far as the more advanced ARFs well, flying a Cardinal that didn't take me a month or two or three, definitely a big plus. Progress in the pattern with a comparatively straight jig built airplane with less vices. The ARF Streak, as simple and basic as it is, allowed me to make flying progress. Surely the minimum emotional investment made it a littler freer and easier. A good state of mind to be in as one learns.

>Bill Gruber, in case you are reading this, above is an
>example of the communication we discussed at the Nats. I am
>hopeful that your homeboys are working to reverse this
>trend.
>
>As for the Flite Streak, I must take advantage of the rare
>opportunity to agree with Dan and Peabody.
>
>I remember the old Top Flite Flite Streak as being rigid and
>prone to shattering on impact, especially when covered with
>paper. A novice who hits the ground frequently may be
>better off with something more crashworthy.
>
>I am not one to defend Dan, as he is so eager and capable to
>defend himself, but there is something strange about the
>argument above. Dan is saying that the ARF Flite Streak is
>a good product. To imply that saying something good about
>an item with which one's only involvement is to buy it is
>bragging suggests that the accuser thinks mere ownership is
>an accomplishment. I hope that that way of thinking is not
>invading CL stunt. Stunt people appreciate each other's
>craftsmanship, ingenuity, knowledge, and flying skill. I
>hope it stays that way. In a nation which once could build
>a rocket to put men on the moon but now can't even make its
>own ping pong balls, our sport is becoming unique. Someday
>the Nats stunt winner may be proud of the trophy he got for
>buying an airplane and hiring somebody to fly it, but I hope
>that's not soon.

Well said. DOC

I flew the 2nd set of flights on my ARF Streak last weekend, OS 25 FP, 9X4 apc, 58' .015 lines. Nice and stable, good round loops and decent line tension. Used the stock tank and ran ok till I streched the last lazy 8 into 3/4 lap of inverted. Engine quit inverted 15' up and heading into the wind. Slack lines and a nose plant, no damage other than the fin got knocked off.

It's fixed and ready to go with a hayes 3 0z mounted inboard ala Dirty Dan setup. Will see what happens.

Built stock except for leadout replacement and 1 inch longer gear with a bigger wheel for grass. 2 ea 1/4 oz tail weights and a tailwheel all held on with a 4-40 bolt and nut, put the balance about 3/4"-1" ahead of the spar. Not too sensitive with a big EZ-just handle, and plenty of control for stunting.

I like it better than my Skray 35 or the Ringmasters I've flown, can't beat the value. Take the boy out and fly it till it breaks, then fix it and do it some more.

I'm flying an ARF Streak with an FP25. I did not use the stock tank, however, primarily because it is not uniflow. I was also worried about it being too small. I'm running a GRW profile tank, 3 oz capacity and the uniflow vent hooked up to muffler pressure. Flys great with a 9X4 APC on 60 ft lines. Launch rpm is 11,800. This engine is really economical on fuel - 3 oz runs over 8 minutes. With the stock OS muffler, the balance is just about right, about half way between the LE and the spar. One of the local guys balanced his per the Top Flight instructions and it was almost unflyable.
Steve
The older I get, the better I used to fly!

Howard put forth a most unlikely possibility:

"As for the Flite Streak, I must take advantage of the rare opportunity to agree with Dan and Peabody."

Harumph, harumph! I am hoping this means the opportunity is rare as that would certainly describe the three of us agreeing on anything. But you and I agree on a great deal, do we not?

I certainly agree wholeheartedly with remainder of your post, even if so long as cause to wonder if you got help with it. Your one- and two-liners are great, but it's good to see you come out of your shell once or twice a year, putting forth some actual effort.

Speaking of which, you have reminded me that I too need exit my shell, being a lot more aggressive in defending positions taken. Or maybe not...

More from Howard:

"In a nation which once could build a rocket to put men on the moon but now can't even make its own ping pong balls, our sport is becoming unique."

A great line, and it is true. I drug it to this posting, both because it is an important point and some of us, Howard and myself for example, never, *ever* use the word "unique" incorrectly.

Something to keep in mind about positions. You may have a strong position, or a strongly held position, or both (or neither.) A strong position is one which can defend itself. A weak position is one which will fall no matter if it is strongly-defended. Basically, if you see someone getting defensiveky irate and personal, you should suspect they are defending a position which they see as being weak.

All good advice on the Flite Streak.

Well what the hell: Bolt a nelson 36 on that heart throb and balance her at the spar and hold on for dear life like a cowboy guzzlin budwieser with an outboard blader in the wing, or should I say a bladder in your outboard wing! Would I do this? You bet yer ##### I would, cuz Flitestreaks fly like CRAP unless there flown balls out. They also do ok with the FP-20 and the likes, wich is to slow for me. SCREW THE PATTERN!!--< Pissy Paul

I have considered doing this. I'll bet there are a number of airplanes which might be fun with a Nelson.