Well I learned what I know on my own. Allmost that is! I started out handlaunching a wing. ( 1st plane) That was hard.
Next was a Spirit. Started with a lot of gentle tosses at the soccer fld. Next was a Cut down rather anemic hi start. This is /was after a lot of reading info from you very gererous folks. Thanks!

So here is my technique. Here in Hawaii a typical day will carry about 10/15 kts of wind and you can almost kite a two meter up to max elev. In fact lots of time the plane will takeoff by just a gentle push into the wind. So under these conditions I launch with a light throw at an angle of 10/20 degrees, and as Bruce says the climb angle quickly steepens and some forward stick applied. Occasionally popping off on the way up.
On those windless days, I stretch it out untill I can feel the last of the stretch and give it a healthy toss at about 30/40 deg. to insure it dosen't stall leaving my hand. I don't use a scale.

I don't have a real field to fly out of so my planes take a lot of abuse. ( Housing subdivision in progress as an example.)
For me I think setting up the trim, control check, and paying attention to wind direction, are key elements to a succesfull flight.

My next plane ( Spirit Elite ) is ready and waiting for the 25/30 kt winds to back off. Also ordered an Easy Glider to try some slope areas here on Kauai.
I also fly full scale Blanik, Swchiezer, Grob.

Aloha, Les ( Beginner)