One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here yet. Regardless of how it's launched I would recommend that you get an assistant to help you for the first launch. Remember, the first time is going to be a trim flight as with any other RC plane. And even a plane that takes off from the ground can be a handful to fly until it's trimmed out. For a hand launched plane this can spell disaster as you may not be able to get your hands back on the stick quick enough to react to the out of trim plane. For every hand launched plane I've ever had I've always has somebody else hand launch it the first time that you fly it for just this reason.

In fact, as you are still pretty new to this it might help to have somebody hand launch it for you the first few flights. This will help you get used to the way the plane handles at launch and you will learn how to fly in those first few seconds. Then when you start hand launching it yourself you will be better able handle the hand launch yourself.

For me here's how I hand launch. Place the plane in your right hand (reverse all of this if you are left handed) on the CG of the plane and the radio in my left hand. Advance the throttle to full prior to tossing it. Then give it a toss like you were flying a paper airplane. Just very slightly up with the wings level. Then move your right hand to the radio and start flying the plane. I know that sounds overly simple but it's really not all that difficult. Some mistakes that are very common are launching with too high of an angle of attack, trying to "throw" the plane hard on launch, and trying to grab the radio too quickly. If the plane is properly trimmed in a simple toss like a paper airplane will be plenty. Trust me, you really do have plenty of time to get your hand on the radio. Sometimes a click or two of up elevator trim will give you a bit more time to get your hand on the radio.

Hope this helps

Ken