hey guys, I am new to this so I could use some advice. I bought a parkzone J3 cub on 02-08-05. I tried hand launching it twice, both times it nose dived into the ground. Unfortunately it bent the prop shaft. It's electric by the way. I then attempted to straighten the prop and roll launch it. That didn't work either. Now it goes about 10 feet and spins out. Am I applying too much throttle to soon or what. On hand launching it, should i toss it harder or what. I replaced the prop shaft and gear box, 7.99. not too bad. I need some help I am gun shy and don't want to throw it to risk crashing again helpppppppppppppppp.

Hamerhed

on most electric planes you can fly IN TO the wind and just kinda drop it and it will work. If it has elevator (which i will look up and see real quick in a minute) make sure you hold it up a little.
Ok looked and it does have elevator, Make sure you go into the wind with full up elevator :-D if this doesnt work talk to someone else.

thanks newbtorc, will try friday

what kind of speed do you get when you taxi to take off as you tryed?

Okay, I've been flying electrics for 4 years and have around 20 E planes including all my glow planes. 1st.....make sure you got the prop on right....I had a sky scooter and it wouldn't fly worth crap. Found out I had prop on backwards. 2nd....the battery pack.
Probably nimh batts. That chemistry of batteries needs 5 to 7 full cycles (charge/discharge) before you reap the longetivity and power of the cells. 3rd, hand launch it into the wind! Give it a good straight out throw. As a reminder, fly right after you charge the batteries.
If they are a little warm off the charger and you put them in your plane, you shouldn't have much difficulty.

Dave...

Hello...I am flying a striker 27,(hand launch) it has elevons only. When launching it made a left dive to the ground.So what I do now is launch into the wind,upward and just a little to the right of level.I also trim the radio so it will climb and re-adjust in flight. I also start the motor before I launch. This may not be the way it is suppose to be done, but I works for me. Glad it is made of foam,tape and glue work wonders.
jugmaker

Jugmaker-

You actually start the motor BEFORE you launch? WOW what a concept? Sorry, couldn't resist. Yes, this is correct. Doubt if you would stand much of a chance any other way unless it was an all-out glider with electric assist.

hamerhed- Full up elevator on launch sounds extreme to me, maybe a little up trim. You are going to need to experiment with that a little bit. Probably would vary with amount of thrust and actual cg. Experienced Electric guys will know more about that. May not have enough power for ground takeoff.

Good luck.
Bruce[

On a hand launch you do NOT want to give full up elevator, you also do NOT want to throw it upwards. If it had a better than 1:1 thrust to weight ratio it would be different, but these small park flyer type planes need to be tossed straight out, then allowed to pick up speed before you give any up, otherwise you risk stalling the wing and diving into the ground.

It would be best if you had someone you trust launch it the first few times so that you can concentrate on the controls.

Once it's in the air you want to keep your control inputs small and smooth. Throwing the sticks around will result in a badly dented airplane.

Best of luck, and have fun!
Dennis-

Yep Bruce, it would't work the other way.I am new to this and this is the plane I am learning to fly with.Problaly the wrong one, but where I fly I can't use the runway yet.Maybe by the time warm weather gets here I can use it.I have other planes but this one is easier to fix(you know glue and tape).
Jugmaker