RE: Learning to use a hi-start
I have a winch available most of the time, so I don't use my hi-start that much any more. However this past weekend I took it out to launch my 60 ounce Thermal Dancer.
The one I use has 100' of either 7/16 or 1/2 inch rubber and 400 foot of line with anohter 100 I can add if the conditions are right.
I saw that I had lost some touch in how to use the Hi-start. My first few launches were not that high but as the launches built up I was getting higher and higher launches. Maybe the elastic had become stiff from sitting in my garage but it seemed to loosen up.
They won't match the zoom I can do with this plane off a winch but I was able to get enough to get a 25 minute flight and speck the plane out.
Hi-starts. Simple, easy, effective and very economical! :-)