Question for the experts...Launching
 

A take off dolly is legal, but a lot of the fields are a too rough for much success. I always launch left underhand, I use a Tx. tray. so far, I've only had one dirt nap take off.

Question for the experts...Launching
 

I haven't seen anyone use a dolly, and I can think of a few reasons why not.

First, a long time ago, I used a dolly for a .25 sized sport plane that was under powered. I found that take-off was "exciting", since if I hit a bump or pothole, the plane could be tossed up in the air a bit before flying speed was reached. With attached gear, this is no big deal, you just come back down on the wheels. With the dolly, the plane frequently feel off the dolly and I had to go get it and try again. Not what you want in a 90 second window.

Second, most combat planes don't have a rudder or tailwheel, so you'd have to rig something up for stearing otherwise you're basically out of control during the take-off run. Could be unsafe, espeically in a crosswind.

Third, the pilots line at many contests is moved way out on to the runway to get proper setback for the spectators. I've been to contests where there wasn't enough runway left to ROG. Plane were hand-launched or catapulted right over the tall grass.

Fourth, you'd have to work out what to do with your streamer, espeically on days where there is a little dew on the grass. Dragging the streamer on the ground wouldn't be a good idea.

Question for the experts...Launching
 

Rodrigo,
Hand launching twin engine airplanes can be pretty exciting. I have had two combat twins - a DeHavilland Hornet, and a FW189. I could not self launch either one and needed a helper to get them airborne.

The best method for launching either of them was to hold the plane by the booms or fuse, just behind the wing, overhead then give it a toss into the wind at a relatively flat angle.

Launching into a headwind will help a lot on your first few tries.

If your launch partner throws the plane too hard it can pitch up and stall or it will lose fuel draw for a moment and stall.

Twins need to have rock solid engine reliability. Aft first I tried to sync the engines to each other. This did not work. Instead start one engine, peak it out, then back off 300-500 rpm. Shut it down and do the same with the other. Once satisfied that they are both set properly fuel them up and start them for flight.

Good luck. Photos of my scale twins and those of some others can be seen on www.georgiacombt.com in the Scale planes section.

Question for the experts...Launching
 

I've flown several P-38's and could launch them by myself once they were trimmed out. I held it over my head by the center pod at the TE and just gave it a little push. They flew right out of my hand.

Question for the experts...Launching
 

Rodrigo,
If you are like Hat Trick, who is about the same height as Shaquille O'Neal, with similar size hands, then you might try launching it yourself.

When Hat Trick launches overhand his engine has to have oxygen injection because of the rarefied air at his launch height.

You make the call.

RE: Question for the experts...Launching
 

The pics in my posts were gone, but they're all better now. [8D]

D