Kurk,

Being a newbie this year to hand launches, I understand the apprehension. For my open planes, I overhand launch with about the same throw as throwing a football on an easy 10 yard pass, slightly above the horizon. My scale I launch underhanded.

I fly alot more open than scale so I am most comfortable with the overhand toss.

I would start out with a cheapy open plane to practice hand launches, I'd hate to see a new scale plane dinged up. And th esuggestion to launch toward tall grass is a good one!

Make sure you have an experienced pilot help you (with hand launches), don't launch a new airplane that has not been trimmed out by yourself. Set the plane with slight elevator up trim to guarrantee it will climb out. Don't over control, or pull up immediately after launch. If you have a good throw, you should not have to pull up, but only worry about aileron trim. ALWAYS, I MEAN ALWAYS toss DIRECTLY INTO the wind! I am still learning how to do cross wind launches, but they are alot more trouble, your success rate will remain higher with direct wind launches.

I'm right handed, but throw with my left hand, holding the tranmitter with my right thumb on the right stick and holding the transmitter up against my armpit.

I haven't flown an airplane with wheels in 6 months now, I'm ruined!