A .25 model is a little large for hand launching especially with a high wing loading. I disagree with the previous poster somewhat about not having flying speed. You must hand launch the plane with enough speed to get it flying right away. If you launch it in a stall you will have no control and crash (but you know that already). When I hand launch a "larger" model I set it on the ground and throttle to full. Then I grab the model at the CG and hold it at shoulder height. Next I start jogging (always into the wind). The throw is as hard as I can safely manage. Safely meaning a level controlled throw without breaking anything in the model. I aim at a point on the ground 50-100 feet in front of me and I throw it like a football. After launch make any roll corrections and maintain a glideslope at a spot 50-100 feet ahead. Once the plane has some speed on reverse the descent and gradually climb out.