So you want to fly Control Line...
Congradulations. You have chosen a very rewarding hobby - one that can be a lot of fun just for you, but for your family as well. Like anything else in life, your journey in to Control Line flying will be made a lot easier if you get good information to help. Sources of information include clubs, your local Hobby Shop, online resources (see links at right), and books - in particular "Flying Around" by Harry Higley and "Building & Flying Control Line Model Aircraft" by Dick Sarpolus. If these books aren't available at your local Hobby Shop, you can purchase them online from Flying Models Magazine.
Clubs, Hobby Shops, and Other Sources of Help
One of the first places to look for Control Line information is your local Hobby Shop. If you are lucky, they will not only have a good selection of Control Line products in stock, but have staff that is knowledgable about Control Line. If so, you have found a treasure, and I recommend that you support their business. After all, they're supporting your hobby. If they don't stock Control Line products, they should at least be willing to order product for you, and hopefully will have info on any local Control Line clubs. Some hobby shops offer discounts to club members.
Whether or not you find a Control Line friendly hobby shop, you will definitally want to join a Control Line club. Clubs have members who can help you select your first model. They can help make sure your airplane is built straight and balanced correctly. They have flying sites where you can safely fly your plane. They have instructors to help you learn to fly. Some clubs even have a "club trainer" they'll let you fly to see if you like the hobby before you go out and spend a lot of money on an airplane. The best part about joining a club though is hanging out with people who share your interest in Control Line flying. Another source of information is the Internet.
Equipment Needed
Besides an airplane and engine, you will need some support gear. At a minimum, you will need a set of lines, a handle, fuel, propeller, and glow plug driver. For convenience, you should have a field box to carry all your support gear. Besides the basics, it is a good idea to carry some spare props and glowplugs, a 4-way wrench, an X-Acto or similar hobby knife, CA glue (both instant and thick), and 5-minute epoxy. Depending on your engine, you might also want to carry an electric starter. Oh, and if you're married and want to stay that way, it might be a good idea to have some paper towels and some type of cleaner so you can clean the oil off your plane before putting it in the car for the drive home.
Choosing a Plane
For your first airplane, you should pick one that flies stable and NOT TOO FAST. Also, you should choose one that builds quickly and is fairly inexpensive. Ask advice from local club members or online at Stuka Stunt Works. Read the "Choosing a Plane" page on this site.
Choosing an Engine
Again, ask advice from club members and online, and read the "Choosing an Engine" page on this site. For your first engine, ease of starting and getting the correct size for your airplane are the two most important considerations.
Getting it all Together
Now that you have everything you need to get started, it's time to build your airplane. This is the phase where it becomes more critical to get help. If your plane isn't built straight and light (enough), it will fly poorly and might discourage you from flying Control Line. Once again (OK, I'm a broken record player) ask for help and advice. Control Line flyers are for the most part very generous with their time and talent, and more than willing to help people new to the hobby. An experienced builder can help you avoid or correct many small building problems before they become big flying or safety problems.
At the Field for the First Time
Before you fly your airplane the first time, make sure it's balanced properly. To comply with safety rules, you will need to do a pull test. This requires two people, so if you STILL haven't found a helper, now is the time to find one. Read the "First Flights" page on this site. Get familiar with the running characteristics before going to the flying site the first time. Pick a grassy field (make sure you have permission to fly there) and a calm day for your first flights. Then, START HAVING FUN!!!
