Went and flew my new Viper at a local school yesterday. Well, I didn't really fly it because there was very little wind if any at all. I did get the reverse launch figured out, though.

I was looking at the stitched loops on the control lines after trying to fly for a while and noticed that the stitching was starting to come loose at the beginning of the loop. I looked at all of them and most of them were doing the same thing. It doesn't look like they finished the job very well. Should I just hot glue all of them or what?

There's a really good way to make a loop using a fly tying bobbin and thread. It's extremely tight and very smoooth. When I get a bobbin I will prolly fix my lines that way but in the meantime I need a temporary fix. There's a video of this procedure on the net somewhere and when I find it I will post it in the correct forum.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Found it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wHGN1sYYKI

Chris -

You have a pic of the loops? I tried to watch the video, but it was taking forever to download.

If they are stitched, the typical set-up is to sew a tight zig-zag over about 4" of sleeving over the dyneema or spectra flying line. Each end of the run would be backstitched a few stitches - maybe 1/2" or so to lock it up. If the end of the stitching is loosening a stitch or so and has been reverse stitched, I wouldn't be too worried. If it is really coming apart I'd be tempted to cut it an resew if you're good with a machine, or just knot the ends at the sleeving with a figure eight.

krumly

Sorry you had trouble with the PL lines; we normally find them to be of fine quality. In fact I just got back from the beach with a session with a Viper. Secure the loose ends with a bit of super glue like in that video and you are good to go.

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell Secure the loose ends with a bit of super glue like in that video and you are good to go.

I've had similar problems with Flexi lines in the past and done as Angus described and the lines have held well with no further unstiching. The only problem with the super glue fix is if the lines ever stretch you now will likely have to cut above the sleeving and resleeve (one reason why I wish every set of lines would be sewn on only one end and knotted at the other).

I don't have a pic, sorry. Yeah, it's coming loose probably 2 stitches at the most. I will use a dab of super glue and call it good. Thanks for your help everybody.

Can't modify posts I guess....

I flew it today in light winds and it performed flawlessly. My friends and I all learned to do up loops and down loops. Everything else looks and works great and it's a lot of fun. I'm already sore!

job well done!