Solo Flying

There are some times at least for me, that I want to fly,
and can't for some reason or another, find a flying partner.
Would anyone know of any comercialy available self launching devices available for situations such as this?

Thanks
G.Man

Brodak sells the Jim Hunt designed stooge. I have these in stock, too, but so should a lot of other suppliers. These are relatively inexpensive ($15.99), small, and light weight. They are easy to carry in your flight kit, and can be secured into the ground with a couple of long spikes. You need to attach a hook (securely!) to the rear of your plane that these will hook into and you use a release string to launch.

Alternately, there is a heavier, more expensive, unit that you can use for weight training just carrying to and from the field. This doesn't need anything to anchor it into the ground and it grabs the stabilizer and then drops down at launch so there is no hook needed. Cost is considerably higher and I think Windy stocks these, among others. (This is the one Windy uses, we have used the other kind.)

I have one similar to the Brodak job. Mine is bolted to a 15" square, 2" tall box with a tongue (that the stooge bolts to). I slide a 50 lb weight (a chunk of steel I got from a scrap yard) into the box. It has a rubber pad on the bottom. Works great and no stakes. Even has a handy, dandy carrying handle cut in.

I have the Brodak stooge(called the Tru Launch) that I got from Leonard. I mounted on a approx 2 ftX12" pine board, use two very large spikes to spike the board down and trot line cord to release the stooge. Roll it up kite cord style on a 1/2 inch dowel rod. Make your stooge line as long as your longest lines, say 70 feet and do a half hitch around the dowel for shorter lines. I use hot wire wire to attach plane to stooge, loop wire around tail wheel and remove when not stooge launching or build with a plywood skid with a 1/16th hole and attach a permanent loop for stooge wire which can be snipped off anytime if you desire.

I was extremely apprehensive about using a stooge but 150 plus launches and no problems-the device is very reasonable and I highly recommend it.

I would suggest you develop a routine for using to minimize the chance for mishaps. I always place the stooge line to the right of the handle, always walk to the handle behind the lines, always pick up the handle, check the controls and have lines moderately tight before touching stooge handle, always double check to be sure stooge connection to plane secure before starting engine and always have plane angled slightly to outside of circle-do not jerk stooge line-a slight steady pull releases smoothly.

Jim P.'s suggestions are excellent. Flying alone is more dangerous than flying with a buddy, so one must use unremitting care.I've done hundreds of launches and had the plane hang on the stooge once.

I have two stooges made of wire wrapped around a nail. One is a concrete nail for pounding into cracks in concrete or asphalt. the other is a big landscape spike about 10 inches long for pounding into ground. Lay your hammer down by the stooge so you can find the stooge again. I use a wire pin about 6 inches long tied on to chalkline cord. I have a wood handle that I wind the cord around.

If the plane does not release, just stand there holding the handle and thinking deep thoughts until it runs out of fuel. Always throw the stooge line handle away from you so that you don't get it wrapped around your legs.

Stooges that grab the tailwheel are pretty much standard, and the most likely to cause problems.

Windy has used a stooge that restrains the aeroplane by the elevator(s). The tailwheel grabbers are dependant upon using the tailwheel for something that it isn't designed for, and there are numerous accounts of failure.

We have standardized a screw spacing and sink anchor bolts into the surfaces that we fly from.

See Ya

I do almost all of my flying solo using a home-made stooge - the end result of lots of failed prototypes.

One thing I have learned to be absolutely essential is to peg the down line. I use a screwdriver which I push into the ground next to the handle - I then loop the wrist strap of the handle over it. Since the strap is attached to the bottom of the handle if the stooge lets go, the wrist strap more-or-less guarantees that the down line is pulled, the plane tips up on its nose and all you break is the prop.

I have also found that either the plane must have a purpose built tail loop (not any attachment ot the tail wheel) or the stooge attachment must hold the tail-feathers. This is easy to do with a thick smooth cord which will not danage the finish. It must hold the tail in such a way that it will not snag anything - particularly the horn on release.

I used to fly solo without any special stooge. The plane does need gear though, and a the feild needs to be smooth.

Set your lines out in a U shape with your pit box in the center. The open part of the U should face into the wind. Take your line reel and stake it down with a long screwdriver at the bottom of the U. Hook up your lines and loop them over the reel. There will be a little friction but you still have control. Now start up, grab the handle and launch. The airplane will complete a 1/2 lap and end up on the main circle. It will take off going away from you. It is important to keep low, (both the plane and pilot) till the line comes off the reel to minimize the twang. Also make sure you have the lines clear of the grass when you let it go!

This sounds very tough but is simple. I have made many flights without trouble, and no stooge line to trip on, no unplanned release, no running unattended airplane.

Dave

G. man, the best stooge we've used in 7 years is the old Bob Baron steel unit. Over 3500 launches, with no failures! I just got Tom Morris' new catalog, and he is selling virtually the same unit, at a very fair price. He advertises in Stunt News.
Please, though, do be CAREFUL anytime you're flying alone...

I just got a catalog from Tom Morris in which he offers a stooge. It can also be a weight lifting weight - it is 9" x 14" x 1/2" sheet steel with other necessary items. No holddowns necessary, he says. Cost is $ 29.95 plus $ 14.00 shipping (over 12 lbs.)

>>Set your lines out in a U shape with your pit box in the center...<<

Now this is a slick idea. I don't know if I would want to learn the technique on the plane I'd just spent 4 months building, but I like it overall. No matter how many times I launch with a stooge (mine has well over a thousand launches without a problem), I still get the creeps up my spine every time I run out to the plane.