park fliers - how do they take off?

[Ideal]

How do they take off?
Do you have to launch them from your hand..?

[CrashParkFlyer]

I've Found Hand Launching To Be The Best Way Of Getting The Plane In The Air, As You Will Have Little Control Of The Plane Whilst It Is Still On The Ground. Make Sure The Plane Is Correctly Trimmed, Apply Full Throttle And Throw It Level - Not Up, Into The Wind. Leave It To Gain Altitude At Full Throttle Before Trying To Turn.
It's Quite Easy - Nothing To Be Scared Of.

[Straick]

2 years of flying and I'm still handlaunching my planes. Haven't crashed a takeoff yet. Just be sure to toss it level.

[Leo L]

I've been flying for nine months and can count the number of hand launches on the fingers of one hand (not counting the mini-plane AeroAce). I find ground launches to be much easier and much more rewarding. Some planes have quirks that you need to accomodate, but for the most part the take offs are a breeze, if you follow some simple guidelines. Make sure that you will be taking off into the wind and give yourself plenty of distance from any objects, such as trees, that will require banking the plane before you attain sufficient altitude. Most of my take-offs and landings are made on the dirt infield of a softball/little league field. The surface is usually excellent, except immediately after a rain storm or after a long dry spell when the dirt gets a soft, sandy consitency. Although asphalt and concrete are better runway surfaces, I like the fact that the plane will be flying over a softer surface in the event of a problem requiring an emergency landing or a crash.

My first plane, the Firebird Commander, would always turn 90 degrees to the right as it taxied for take-off. Knowing this, I would point the plane 90degrees to the left of the direction that I wanted for take-off. It would take off right on target. My Wind Spirit is a large, heavy plane that requires at least 60 ft. to gain enough speed for take off. The Aerobird Challenger and Airstrike take off in 40 ft.; the PZ Cub and Decathlon take off in about 30 ft. The Cub and Decathlon have a tendency to do ground loops, so I solved the problem by adding a tail wheel.

To take off from the ground, accelerate the plane to full throttle and as soon as it lifts off, reduce the throttle(if its a 2-channel plane) or lower the climb rate with the elevator so that the plane does not stall. Let the plane gently climb until you have reached at least 30 ft. before making any kind of turn. Keep the turn gentle and do not bank too sharply until you are substantially higher.

[Ideal]

Ok, well I'm a beginner with this, I've only once tried airplanes before and that was like ten years ago and ended within half a minute as I hit a tree with my glider plane.

Anyhow, what do you suggest is a good start?
I was thinking something like a GWS Stik type thing.

[kingsnake93]

I just started a Firebirdcommander2 it is so easy to fly. I say start with a 2channel plane.
I CAN'T hand launch my plane I can only do a rolling takeoff

[aeropal]

what do you suggest is a good start?
FMS (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4357&postcount=11) freeware simulator

[HottsOne]

Aerobird Challenger if you want a 3CH V-Tail. Otherwise if you want a high wing trainer in the EP department (electric powered) go with the Hobbico EP Superstar Select that is if you are looking for a 4CH. I've had far more fun with my ABC though.

[SabreHawk]

Hmmm, hand launch, or ground. That's a matter of experience really, if you are a first timer I'd suggest hand launching especially if your plane is a taildragger. It's safer in that you are starting the flight out at an altitude of 6ft or so and this will give a little room to dip a wingtip and recover it without doing a cartwheel and turning your plane into a kit :eek:

Then once you feel comfortable, try some take off runs on the ground but dont let it off the ground. Stay just below flying speed, and get a feel for what it takes to keep it straight, then back off slowly and try again. Once again, stay on the ground till you feel comfortable with it. And you'll notice when starting a run on a taildragger it needs alot of right rudder input, backing off of it as the plane speeds up. This due to motor/prop torque trying to twist the plane to the left, and this same torque will again do the same just as the plane lifts off and it only last's for a momment or two, but be ready to give a little right aileron/rudder as it lifts off.

And yep, I agree that a tailwheel should be installed on any taildragger with only a skid( cant beleive they put all that technology into a plane, and then just give it a skid on the tail,................I mean come on,...........how much could it have cost?) :rolleyes:

Well hope that helps any,..................Chuck. ;)

[Birdchased]

If you vastly overpower your park flyer, you may handlaunch it from the ground, as I do my Sig Jenny. :D

[Leo L]

I know what handlaunching is and I know what launching from the ground is, but what is "handlaunching from the ground"? And why would you need to overpower your plane to do so?

[aeajr]

THROWING UP WILL MAKE YOU SICK!

Many, perhaps most of the small electric planes can be hand launched. Many
don't even have landing gear. I take the landing gear off as it tends to grab
in the grass and flip the plane over on landing. I belly land all of mine.

Let's take a look at that hand launch as it can be troublesome for new flyers.

Always launch into the wind. ALWAYS!!!! No exceptions! If the wind is not
blowing into your face, you are facing the wrong way.

Motor at FULL throttle. Remember, if you throw-UP, that will make you sick.
You want to send it straight out.

Your plane may actually lose some altitude as it gains speed. As long as the
wings are level and the plane is flat, that is fine. The plane should look
like it just flew past you, not like it is climbing, at least not right away.

Don't pull back on the elevator till it is up to speed. Maybe a TINY bit. It
should start to regain that altitude all on its own as the lift of the wing
kicks in. Until that happens, a big pull back on the elevator is like putting
on the brakes, and it will slow the plane down, the wings will lose lift and
it will stall and likely fall to one side or the other, especially if you
haven't thrown it with the wings level.


Stall?

Think of it this way, if you throw the plane up, it is like starting to ride
your bicycle up hill in high gear from a standing start. VERY HARD to do.
Better to start on level ground in a lower gear, get up some speed, then
attack the hill. Same for your plane.

If you throw up, the plane can not gain speed fast enough and the wing will
not get up to minimum flying speed. Getting a firm, flat, wings even throw
takes some work. Send it out like a big dart you are tossing at a board on the
wall.

Try this visualization:

Stand under the goal post of a football or soccer field. With the motor at
full power, throw it straight out so it will fly under the cross bar of the
other goal post.

Under the other goal post? Yes under!

That should give you a nice flat throw! If you are trying to throw it OVER the
goal post, you are tipped up too much. Strong firm, flat throw, not up, or
only slightly up. Those wings need to be flat to gain lift. ( Don't worry,
by time it reaches the other end of the field it will be much higher than
that cross bar, but don't try to throw it over the bar. Let the plane do it.)

This tendency to throw up is a very common mistake that lots of new flyers
make. You will crash and crash and crash and that will just make you sick!

Remember: If you throw-up, it will make you sick!

I recently exchanged messages with a new pilot. He was having
terrible problems. Happens that he lives near me. Brought the plane to me.

After checking it out, I launched the plane. The plane flew perfectly. In fact
I set it at full throttle, threw the plane and then stretched my arms out wide
so he could see I was not touching the controls.

Turned out he was throwing UP at about a 45 degree angle. Now he does it
right, flies in 10+ mph winds and is teaching his brother how to fly. He also
became a member of our club.

So, is your hand launch making you sick?

Here are some other tips you might find useful.

Six Keys to Success
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355208#post3551513