I am making this post because I could not find tips or advice anywhere on how a person, working alone, could learn to use a hi-start. I invite more experienced sailplane pilots to add their tips, comments and advice to mine.
These links may be helpful for background.
http://www.mrcss.org/pdf/articles/a_beginners_guide.pdf
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~learmont/HiStart
Hi-start launching.
First, let's be clear, I am NOT talking about competition launches here I am talking about safe sport launches. I am sure someone will post about maximum altitude and such. I just want to help you get in the air safely.
Second, get a coach/instructor if one is available and ignore all of this. This is ONLY intended for someone who is unable to get help.
Third, your plane must already be well trimmed and flying straight and even from a hand launch. Fail to this and the hi-start will turn your plane to junk!
Fourth and very important, make sure your tow hook is in the forward most hole that your plane has. It should be a little in front of the CG of your plane. This will give you a more controlled launch than the more rear, competition positions.
OK? We understand the goal here? Safe and gradual build up. Control, not height!
Always launch into the wind. Launching is easier with a mild breeze than it is in dead calm air. For learning purposes I would say you want at least 2-3 MPH and no more than 6-7 MPH of head wind.
I was taught to launch with all controls at neutral. In fact my initial launches were with a little down elevator to help reduce the chance of a pop-off. But I started with a full size hi-start and an instructor who made the first 4-5 launches for me so I could watch and he could see how the plane would behave. Then he released the plane on the next three while I held the radio to control the plane. Then I released while he flew the plane. Then I did both. But we were working with the BIG hi-start in a huge field and he was there to guide me. If your plane is properly trimmed, all controls should be at neutral for your launches.
You should only need rudder to control the launch. You may use a little up elevator at the very very end to help release the ring from the tow hook, but mostly I just let it fly off. If you get your angle off a little left or right the plane will tend to go that way, just like a bad hand throw. Use the rudder to get it back to center.
Build up to it slowly. Think of a hi-start as an assisted hand throw. Do exactly what you would do on a hand throw. Basically flat firm throw.
I don't know what hi-start you have or how big it is, but if it is a "full size" hi-start it probably has 30 meters/100 feet of elastic and 100-120 meters/300-400 feet of line. That is an awful big thing to handle on initial launches without a coach.
You can either get an up-start which is 5-15 meters/15-50' feet of elastic plus 15-50 meters/50-150 feet of line which can be used in a smaller space and, in my opinion be a little less scary. Or, take your big hi-start, replace the big length of line with a smalle length. You can cut a 50-100 foot length to use for your initial launches You can reattach it later with snap swivels or just tie a knot.
Get a metal ring, 1.5-3 inches, that will allow you to loop the elastic onto the ring in some fashion to secure it so that you are only using part of the elastic you have to make the shorter launcher. Make sure the stake that you put into the ground has a washer on it that will not pull through the ring. Don't cut the elastic.
If you start small, say 10' of elastic and 30' of line it will be a lot easier to control, and the launch will be lower and the energy smaller. Again, just an assisted hand throw. We will use this length combination for this discussion.
Pull back 5-10 feet, or about 1/2 the length of the elastic, for the first launch.
Check to make sure all of your controls are working.
Stand firm and just give it a straight. firm, flat throw, controls at neutral. You should only need rudder to control direction.
It should go out just like a hand launch, only with a little more speed and it should naturally climb a little. It should just fly off the end of the line. Don't go for height, go for control.
Build up the strength of the pull over several launches. 1/2 the length of the elastic. Then 3/4, then the full length. Then 1.5 times the length of the elastic. Build till you are comfortable. Then just slide the metal ring further down the elastic and add more line. Use roughly 1 foot of elastic to 3-5 feet of line.
As the pull gets stronger, the plane will fly out faster and the lift of the wings will take it higher naturally. No need to throw it up, it will go up on its own. You can reserve aggressive angles and the more rear tow hook positions for competition.
I have about 60 launches with my Spirit 2 meter. I launch flat with neutral controls and the forward tow hook position. Using my smaller launcher (25' tubing and 100' line) I get 100-150 foot launches depending on the wind. With the larger one (100' elastic and 400' line) I estimate I go up 400-550 feet and can zoom off of the end if I want.
These links may provide some additional, useful info. Like you I was afraid of the hi-start. If you had someone to coach you through the first few you would be fine. If you don't, try this method.
That plane was made to fly. Fly it! [8D]
http://www.mrcss.org/pdf/articles/a_beginners_guide.pdf
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~learmont/HiStart