Nobler Arf Controls--acid test

I had the opportunity today to test the integrity of the control system in my Nobler Arf. On takeoff the Nobler veered inward. This then was amplified by the now limp control lines falling onto the grass. This turned it almost directly at me!

As your CL model freeflights over your head, an amazing number of thoughts pop into your head. It can't be anymore than 2-3 seconds, but it really seems like a long time as you brace yourself for the inevitable jolt that you know will soon be coming. So you think, "hmm, maybe I really should have changed those wire clips on the bellcrank " (I replaced the cable, but not the clip), followed by, " you know, maybe I should wrap my control lines instead of crimping...", and finally, " #####, this was such a nice flying plane..."

So anyway, wham! It was an amazing hit, a lot harder than I thought it would be. Unfortunately all that happened was that the plane started another freeflight across the circle--but the lines were still on the plane.

At the second hit, again pretty hard--a lot harder than any pull test I will ever have to suffer, the plane took a direction which was in the general direction of normal flight. I was able to get it in a normal attitude, but I did notice that I seemed to have lost the neutral of the normal setup.

Not wishing to tempt fate further, I just flew out the remainder of the tank with the Brodak 40 just chug-chugging away. After I landed I took a look at the leadouts, they looked pretty normal, so I think the loss of neutral was back at the handle. The heavy cable must have slightly shifted during one of my 5 foot horizontal corners.

So at least in my case, the wire clips seemed to survive this test without cracking . Also my 2 year old crimps look none the worse for wear. However I plan to do a very close inspection --and maybe redo those lines before the next flight.

I am still not sure why the plane intitally veered inward. I can only think that the inboard wheel may have snagged in a small bare spot on the field (due to exhaust killing the grass, we have a few small 4 inch diameter bare spots near the takeoff point. It is always amazing how close we are to these unexpected catastrophes.

Whew!

Alan,
Welcome to the club! I'm sure you remember the similar experience I had with the Sig Somethin' Extra. Especially since you were outside the circle and it was coming at you. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't.
Bill

I've had that happen too. I mowed the circle at my RC field one day, a little over 2 hours of pushing, then ran the cables out. But I was tired so I was going to take a break. The Hobbyshop guy though was standing there and told me all the info about how he used to do this that and the other thing with his uncle, father and such and really wanted to see some flying, so I gave in, fired it up and told him to just let go of the airplane and it would take off of the ground. Well, I got out to the circle, waved at him to let go and he stood up and tossed the airplane. The lines were on the ground before the plane left his hand, yeah, he may have done a whole bunch of control line stuff, but it was a while ago. So here went my brand new, good looking Shoestring flying past my nose about 3 foot away, I really think I could have, or should have, reached out and caught the thing, but no, I was stumbling towards the side of the circle trying to take up slack before it ran into the ground. Didn't make it and the crash and cartwheel broke the fuse in half and tore up the outer wingtip.

And like you, I remember saying, 'Man, it sure looks good flying!'

I've fixed it and fly it still, but the inside of the wing looks like a jigsaw puzzle and I think there is a bottle or two of CA in there.

Alan,

First - Wow you're lucky. I really would have hated to see that plane wrecked. It does fly nice.

Second - We missed it! A spectacular survival, and Owen, Kurt and I missed it!

Fred

Owen didn't miss it! He was lauching for me.

Also was out this morning (Sunday), and Owen was already there flying his Nobler (not an Arf) with the Aero Tiger 36. or some reason we can't get that engine to 4-2-4 like it use to. As a matter of fact it has an extremely ratty 4 stroke run. We have changed plugs, changed fuel, and no difference. Owen has looked into the tank looking for pinhole leaks, but found nothing. Sure is puzzling. It runs great in a 2 stroke, but the sonic booms are distracting!

Anyway fired up the Brodak 40 in my Arf Nobler. Spent the first flight getting the neutral set back better. I am flying 4.9 -5.0 second laps with good tension, and to me it feels like the plane is flying in slow motion. With this combination I don't have any excuse anymore for not flying better!

All in all I think this $99 plane with a $99 engine + a $4 dollar tank is a no brainer combo for "advanced" beginner and "beginner" intermediate flyers, who need to have a good platform for learning the pattern.