Problems with hand launching
 

I have been flying the ELECTRAFUN aircraft for some time now with much success.For those not familar with this type of aircraft (i think it is only sold in Australia) it's of the aerobird shape with three channels rudder,elevator and engine speed.It was starting to become a little boring and so decided to purchase something a little more challenging.I settled on the VENOM PITTS SPEZIAL(i think this is also only sold in Australia).Controls are the same as the electrafun . The problem iam having is I hand launch it as the instructions say but all it wants to do is head straight for the ground after a short distance.It doesn't mention in the instructions about doing a pre glide check.I have tried twice to hand launch this model once with no wind the other with a slight breeze.
Iam a bit hesitant try again as I don't want to destroy what is a nice looking biplane.Can anybody help please? Is it correct to stand still to hand launch or should you be walking at a fast pace ?What am I doing wrong?HELP

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

I usually hand launch and I'm always standing still. I make sure it's full throttle and give a gentle(usually very gentle) toss into the wind. I currently fly a plane without a lot of power that is very light in weight and it works well for me. If it is going nose down and won't climb out it could be a center of gravity issue and it's just nose heavy. If you know it's not that I'm not sure what's next. I've always been told to toss it level and never up.I guess your prop could be on backwards or something of that nature but if you've been flying awhile I doubt thats it. Good Luck!

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

Thanks mate for the help.Iam pretty sure the c of g is right but where exactly do you measure it from on a biplane. The prop came prefitted but I checked that and it can only go on one way.On my other model I held the fuse around the c of g to launch it and that seemed to work well.On a low wing aircraft you can't do that and I've been holding the fuse just behind the wing trailing edge.Could this be the problem?

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

I've done hand launching for years and every plane can be a bit different. I would suggest two things. One, practice hand launching with tall soft grass in front of where you actually let go. I would practice "test glides", if possible, (power off and prop removed) into the tall grass. If the plane heads for the ground, at least it will land on soft grass. Two, try running into the wind with the airplane held a bit lightly in your hand. You should be able to feel the airplane wanting to lift out of your hand. If the plane has a nice level balanced and "flying" feel, as if it is already flying even though you are still holding it, you can probably then give a light shove forward. If the airplane feels like it wants to lift at an upward angle or has a downward feel, don't launch. Stop and do necessary adustments to CG, wing incidence etc. until it "feels" right when you run with it into a light breeze. Be sure to be looking at the plane as you launch it. Be sure the plane is level or even ever so slightly pointed downward so that it is less likely to be pushed into an immediate stall. You want the plane to be gently pushed straight out, with no upward angle. With a little bit of careful running into a light breeze you don't need to thow the plane hardly at all; a gentle shove is all that is required.

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

I've also heard of running slowly with the plane and it should feel like it wants to lift.The prop only going on one way is helpfull also. As for the c.o.g. question it should say somewhere in the planes manual and should be measured on the top wing. If it doesnt I think it something like 25% of the mean aerodynamic chord(if I remember right) which would be about 1/4 of the way back on the wing right next to the fuse. Someone correct me if I'm wrong because I'n not really sure. The only other thing(which you've probably checked) is that the elevator is moving the right way. I don't want to offend you but things like this happen. Ask me how I know:eek:. Hope this all helps. The monster

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

Thanks one and all for the advice.The c of g looks ok and I double checked the alignment of the rudder and elevator and yes they are moving in the correct direction.The only thing I noticed is the elevator has the very slightest twist in it.That is if you line up one elevator in the centre the other sits very slightly out of centre. Other than that every seems fine . All I have to do is wait for a good day and try out your suggestions.

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

Let us know how you do. If you've exhausted all the simple stuff and your pretty sure it's right it probably is. The plane I fly doesn't even have gear so I can only hand launch. I never give it more than a light toss and the motor does all the rest. Hope you get her flying. Monster

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

Just to let you know I flew the Pitts today.Man is it a handfull.Very slippery and doesn't glide very well . It's probably too much for me at this point in time and I think it wise and less expensive to park it in the hanger for a while and pick on something a little less demanding.The hand launch was successful but you have to be very careful with control inputs and very easy to get yourself into trouble. Thanks everybody for the help.

RE: Problems with hand launching
 

Before you park the plane, give these things a try.

Move the CG forward slightly.

reduce the throws from the radio using dual rate, or move the control rods a close to the center of hte hub and as far from the surfaces as possible. If that is still too much, put it away for a while.