Kurt Tank,

Catapults are more of a pain than they are a help. They are difficult to set up for consistant operation - lack of consistant launches will cost you points during contests. Even long-time "Pros" with catapults have problems.

One of the local pilots has always used catapults for launching because his Hellcats are too wide-bodied to grab onto and toss. He's switching to narrower fuselage designs to get away from his catapult because the cat is costing him points at contests.

A properly powered plane will fly right out of your hand with ease.

The method I use is to grab the fuselage ahead of the canopy with my right hand from the top while holding the top of my Tx in my left hand. A shove up and out gets the bird going while my left thumb is giving direction to the right stick for the first 15-20' of flight. Then, just fly away normally.

If you've got a good left hand, try grabbing the plane left handed while holding the Tx in your right (assuming you are right-handed).

Here's a shot of me launching a JK Aerotech Zero:


Hope this helps,
D