Hey all I have a tower uproar 40 with a .46LA on it. This plane can take off in about 10 feet and immediately go unlimited vertical. The standard music wire gear is total crap and I was wondering if it would be possible to hand launch this plane and belly land it in tall grass. Are there any tests I could do to see if this plane could be hand launched or is it a toss and pray on the first attempt. I know I could put some new gear on it but I would like to leave them off so I could fly it in places without a runway. (I promise Ill be safe and only in open areas and stuff) Anybody got any popnions? P.S. its got a 11x8 on it right now

11x8? on a .46 la? that way to much prop, i would go 11x5 (or 11x6 wood)
as for hand launching it can be hard and takes some practice (depending on the plane) . i have a spad hor that i have had problems hand launching, it drops right wing until it has the speed to fly (until i put my ailerons at 60 degree throws), its way over powered (gms .32, most people run a magnum .15) and since it doesnt have rudder thats half my problem.

on the other hand i hand launch electrics that are no problem, it seems to depend on the plane. personally i like takeing off from the ground.
could you hand launch the uproar, i dont see why not, landing wouldnt be a issue, just make sure that the prop is parallel to the ground, and kill the engine once your 10 ft off the ground. you may need to reinforce the landing area, maybe not. it depends on the plane

It can be done; I have hand launched models of 6 pounds.

You need to hold it with two hands, run, be aware of the tail hitting your head, and toss it horizontally instead of pointing the nose up or down; all that while another person operates the transmitter.

However, I cannot recommend that practice, which I consider potentially unsafe. [sm=thumbs_down.gif]
Besides, even tall grass will make many holes on any plastic cover, during landings.
The propeller should be bolted to the shaft in such a way that it remains horizontal during dead sticks, because all the landings will need to be with the engine off.
No chance for going around after aborting a less than perfect approach.

I just believe beefing the landing gear will be easier and safer.
[sm=75_75.gif]

I have a uproar 40 with a 46AX and it will take off out of my hand. It has the power to fly straight up out of my hand. Try holding the plane nose up and having someone throttle the plane up and see if it feels like it can do it, Thats how I did mine the first time. And on pulling the gear, I would'nt but thats just me, I would be afraid of of damage to the belly of the plane. I dont think these planes were built for that kind of landing. I know the gear is crap but that just means you have to try and land as smooth as possible. and for the rough landings just bend them back into place. I've bent mine back many times

the area around former f1, just in front of the wing in kinda weak mainly because it's not a removable wing so they never beefed it up. After repeated belly landing I think you'll snap it in half. just get some standard gear

take your pick

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=QDH]GP[/link]

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHBP8&P=0]goldberg[/link]

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNM65&P=0]Du Bro[/link]

I have built about 8 Up-Roars and yes, that single wire landing gear is pretty much junk. I finally broke down and built myself a double wire LG just using piano wire and that did the trick, I still have the gear out in my shop. By the way, the weak spot on the plane isn't the former in front of the wing, it's directly behind the wing. Not a lot of beef back there and I have had and seen them break the fuse there just from too many rough landings.
I liked that plane so much I made templates of my second kit and started scratch building them for myself and friends.

graybeard any chance of a pix of your new LG? thanks Rich

Gray Beard, you can't be flying too much, your shop is way too neat.. [8D]

Bingo, that was my shop/hanger/dental lab, acrylic and balsa dust everywhere!!! I was flying three or four days a week back then. Today here in Vegas I have a slightly bigger shop, by about 2 feet wider and longer.
OK, here are the gears I made up for the Up-Roar. Just takes a vise and some wire and solder. Not sure what plane I had them on last but I did notice the small wheels. Most the time I had about three inch foam wheels. I must have been flying off of one of my other clubs runways, asphalt fields at two of my clubs and weeds/grass at the other. Even flew off of a Polo field once. Horse hooves bring up another little problem!!