Self Launching Device

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 17 of 17 known posts recovered

ama21835 · Dec 17, 2004 05:58 AM

LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-04 AT 05:59 AM (CST)

I ran across the AeroModeler article that documents the mythical system. Still only a drawing. But then, who would take the photos ???

Reported, but not endorsed, by me. Note: it shows a stunt (not combat) plane.

peabody · Dec 17, 2004 06:32 AM

#1 source

I am of the belief that ALL stooges are unsafe (yes, I use them), but the one pictures is probably the most unsafe of known, published pieces.

See Ya

Peabody

mkedave · Dec 17, 2004 08:13 AM

#2 source

I have done this many times with a line reel and a big screwdriver as the pivot.

It is a whole lot easier, and not nearly as dangerous as it looks in the picture. I have never had an incident with this type of stooge.

Get an old beater and try it soemtime.

Dave

Adrian · Dec 17, 2004 08:55 AM

#3 source

One of the guys I fly with uses this method a lot. He has a 5ft steel post welded to an old car wheel as a base. The top is a phenolic reel of some description. He can fly with either hand and launches with his right, handle in LH then swaps over a bit later in the flight! He claims it is simple but I've never dared try it. It must be said he is launching 25 size engined planes. Frightening!
Adrian

jehold66203 · Dec 17, 2004 08:55 AM

#4 source

Use this setup only on a super smooth paved surface. -DOC

LNeumann · Dec 17, 2004 09:09 AM

#5 source

I would make a couple of comments. We have overpowered set-ups (you can never get too much power--within reason) and when you let go they jump out of the grass.

OK, that's good. But when I launch for Matt, I hang on for dear life. That's bad if you are attempting a situation like this. I wouldn't even know how to hold on to the plane and start it alone, much less hold it down, move around the plane, and then launch that way.

On the other hand I have launched some planes (even some pipe ships) where I have joked afterwards that I could have blown my nose using both hands and still held on to the airplane.

So, although with smaller planes and lesser power--maybe. If you have some fire breathing monstor, not to be recommended under any circumstances.

I think a regular stooge is much better, and the one like Matt uses with two arms that come up and grab the stabilizer on both sides is much safer and gives more confidence. There is still the chance of getting your hand in the prop while starting it, but at least the plane isn't going to move on you until you tell it to.

Leonard Neumann

Dick Fowler · Dec 17, 2004 10:19 AM

#7 source

Remember, you can still use your stooge with this method. All of your stuff is out there with you. (could be a trip hazard). The stooge can be rigged with a much better release system because of your close proximity to the stooge. May be a safer method than using a stooge in the usual manner.... not sure cause I haven't tried it.

Bigiron13 · Dec 17, 2004 09:12 AM

#6 source

I used that method back in the mid to late 40s, It was not as unsafe as some think. Like any self-launching system, it is only as safe as the operator.

Bigiron

Bigiron13

ama21835 · Dec 17, 2004 10:57 AM

#8 source

LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-04 AT 10:57 AM (CST)

I can't even imagine ALL the failure modes:

* Letting go of the handle rather than the plane (no problem, just pick it up & try again).

* Lines get imbedded in post, plane hit you in the head.

* Violent jolt when plane hits the end of the lines. Won't happen,,,, in theory.

* Pilot gets disorineted flying plane from behind.

* Lines wrapped around post the wrong way, plane spirals into post at fantasic lap speed.
------------------------------------------

No doubt this system would work, at least part of the time.

mkedave · Dec 17, 2004 11:18 AM

#9 source

LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-04 AT 11:20 AM (CST)

>I can't even imagine ALL the failure modes:
>
>* Letting go of the handle rather than the plane (no
>problem, just pick it up & try again).
>
>* Lines get imbedded in post, plane hit you in the head.
>
>* Violent jolt when plane hits the end of the lines.
>Won't happen,,,, in theory.
>
>* Pilot gets disorineted flying plane from behind.
>
>* Lines wrapped around post the wrong way, plane spirals
>into post at fantasic lap speed.
> ------------------------------------------
>
>No doubt this system would work, at least part of the time.

geesh
You really ought to try it sometime before you make such statements.

I normally use a regular stooge, but have had several hundred launches with this type of device, and zero problems. I have had a lot more trouble with conventional stooges.

In many ways there is less to go wrong than using a normal stooge, as you always have a hold on the airplane, and there are no lines to trip over, fail or tangle. The pivot is 20+ feet away and you won't snag that. It's easy to set neutral, test pull and check the controls, as you have the airplane in one hand and the handle in the other. The whole process is under you personal physical control.

The biggest disadvangage is not knowing where the edge of the circle is and tripping over you pit box (it's in the center with you). It's also hard to run out the lines and get back to the pits and over the reel to restart.

I have done this with 1/2A's all the way to 40 sized airplanes. No I would not use it on a 60 sized stunter that I spent all winter building.

The only real problem is keeping the airplane and yourself low after takeoff.

Dave

Dick Fowler · Dec 17, 2004 12:03 PM

#10 source

SNIP
>
>* Violent jolt when plane hits the end of the lines.
>Won't happen,,,, in theory.
>

I may regret this.. but in theory the tension in the line will decrease as it unwinds from the post. So instead of a jolt, it should probably feel "lighter on the lines" at the point of departure.

Again I haven't tried it. So to those who have..do you feel a reduction in line tension when it unwinds from the post?

ama21835 · Dec 17, 2004 03:51 PM

#11 source

One good thing about this site is the opportunity to get more input.

Throughout my years in modeling the idea of "wraping your lines around a post" was treated as a practical joke.

In less than a day, we've heard from two satisfied customers.

ama21835 · Dec 18, 2004 02:38 PM

#12 source

LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-04 AT 02:39 PM (CST)

I have to post my actual self-launcher. The "business end" is a high-quality Canadian-built product that I won in a contest, about 10 years before Brodak. Exactly like the current Brodak offering. It's mounted on scrap lumber with a fence to hold my 15-pound tool-box, no need to carry extra iron. Anti-rotation is achieved with two screwdrivers.

The maroom sweat-shirt is a "drag-rag". Very important for takeoffs with one-wheel landing gears. It keeps the inside wing up and out of the grass.

I might add that I hit 50 k on this photo on the initial attempt, no trial-and-error.

Tools · Dec 18, 2004 07:55 PM

#13 source

Well, I've done this in REVERSE, and it seemed to work alright...

Tried to LAND a Banshee quite a few years ago since I saw lightning in the distance. To make a long story short, on my third attempt (several touch and goes much to my disbelief), my lines caught on a lump of weeds about half way between me and the plane. The plane wound up passing in front of me a few feet, safely got over my own lines, went back into the outfield (was on a baseball field), lines got tight pulled free from the weeds and I was airborn once again!

Really a freakish event. If I had the presence of mind to just grab my plane as it went by and declare it intentional, I'd declare myself some sort of c/l folk hero. But no, there I was again flying around with lightning in the distance. This neato event was followed immediatley by the death of the Banshee's nose...I REALLY wasn't in the mood to fly around with a storm within sight.

Tools

Mike

C/L Gee Bee · Dec 20, 2004 08:46 PM

#14 source

Actually, Doug Ellis and I tried this a number of times, and I have seen that Aero Modeler drawing before. Doug had every Aero Modeler ever printed. The hardest part was starting the Super Tigre .40 unassisted, and not getting 'bitten' by the 10/8 Power Prop. Left hand firmly on cowl, engine starts, step gingerly over the out board wing with left foot, leaving right foot planted in front of r.h. leading edge. Bring right foot behind wing, grasp right wing with right hand, s-l-i-d-e left hand carefully to left wing. Place feet with heels in front of horiz stab, adjust needle, pick up handle and 'noose on' safety thong, re-grasp fuselage at rear with left hand, spread feet, and let go of plane. Grass surfaces are great for launching, as from the 'snubbing post' to the airplane, we are essentially launching a .40-size airplane on a set of 30 ft. lines!
There is a slight expected 'tug' as the airplane reaches the now extended lines, but speed has already been built, centrifugal force has plane at end of lines, usually airborne by now, but if not, it is taxiing "bunny quick". We probably did this 20 times or so, 'til Doug got out of his "Jim Walker" mood.
In 1970, Ernie Kniesel talked his wife into standing and being the post. About 3 laps later, Ernie realized she was standing about 25 ft. from him, and the Jr. Ringmaster was wrapping around her. Ern said the controls were starting to get tight, so he 'landed it'.

Mike in Atwater,
'When I fly, the plane gets nervous'

cyberflyer · Dec 21, 2004 12:44 PM

#15 source

Just what we need.

A device that will launch itself.

Cy.

The Cat Whisperer

wright45 · Dec 21, 2004 01:20 PM

#16 source

I used a device like this in the 60's when my mother would no longer let my little sister (then 4 yrs old) launch for me. Didn't want her hands near the spinning prop. Spoil my fun! It was a Baby flight steak with Cox 049. I had about a 30% success rate, which means I could fly after I crashed twice. Usually the lines would slip off the top of the pole. Then I tried to put a hook on the top of the pole. It didn't release! Fortunately I had to presence of mind to crash it before it hit me.
Anyway its a bad idea. I'm glad it didn't work any better. I might have tried it with a 35.

John Wright