Wireless CL Throttle

Remote control parts on a table; model aircraft with blue and yellow wings.

Photos provided by Al Robinson | [email protected]

AL ROBINSON, (Byhalia, Mississippi) shared his latest iteration of his Wireless U/C [Control Line; CL] Throttle. He wrote, "This has been a fun experiment and way easier than three-line Roberts-style throttle control." He went on to state, "We are using an inexpensive ‘Hot RC’ six-channel set from eBay. The transmitter is compact and easy to attach to a CL handle with a couple of tie wraps and hot-melt glue."

Model airplane on a table with exposed electronics and colorful wings.

Yellow model airplane with red stripes and star insignia, under repair indoors.

Al stated that it works great on both nitro and electric CL models and has a throttle-hold function that is very useful. "The Scale guys get six channels, so that should help them as well. The throttle lets you land and take a breather if needed."

Electronics parts and wires on a cluttered table.

His first electric installation was in a Brodak Vector. "The receiver goes in the upper hatch. I do not recommend solo-flying without a takeoff stooge." He also mocked up an old Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Team Race handle. The battery and servo were from his junk box for testing. He used this handle for his Baby Twin.

Al had to cut open the aircraft that is powered by two O.S. LA .15 engines (a scaled-up Musciano 1/2A design) for the new system.

Man holding large red model airplane in driveway beside car.

"There were vibration issues with version 1.0, and the new system fixed it," he wrote. He put the battery on the right side under a magnetic hatch cover to replace the tip weight.

Hand holding remote with red and black buttons on beige countertop.

Al noted that if he gets dizzy, he just lands! "The main thing is for us ‘old dudes’ to have an option for vertigo while flying CL. [A modeler] here in the Memphis area crashed his Ringmaster two years ago because of this and he was embarrassed and upset about it.

"Unfortunately, we lost him [in 2023] before he could try it, but he had encouraged me to keep experimenting."

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Summary

Al Robinson shares his innovative Wireless U/C Throttle, enhancing control for CL models, especially useful for older pilots.