The Ares shouldn't be here...BUT IT IS!!!

Today when I was flying my new Ares, that flies very well already, I asked for a hand launch. Since the grass is kind of high for the landing gear clearance and everything, also we got to get the ride on mower serviced, which is why I asked for one. I started the engine and got it needled right, and I went out to my handle. I gave the signal for my grandfather to launch. What happened next scared the sh** out of me. When he launched it the nose must have been pointing in a little bit so the torque of the engine brought the plane in on me. Does everybody know what is like when you see the nose of the airplane while you are SUPPOSED to be seeing the profile? I ran like a bat out of #### to to get line tension back. I could see that line tension was coming back because the plane was flying away from me. I felt a jolt and then tension came back. When I stopped running back I was over 20ft off the center of the circle from where I was supposed to be. My grandfather yelled out to me, "Did you have a heart attack?". Well the plane is now back in the basement and nothing happened to the plane.

I hate when that happens.

At least your young enough to be able to run! LOL I had a plane snag a weed as soon as it launchedand it turned and came right at me....I couldn't run fast enough, but it flew right by me, hit the other end of the circle, line tension came back and I saved it. Or maybe it saved itself? LOL Scared the heck out of me! Yeah, I know what you mean

> I asked for a hand launch. Since the grass is kind
>of high Does everybody know what is like when you see the nose of
>the airplane while you are SUPPOSED to be seeing the profile?
>I ran like a bat out of #### to to get line tension back.

Usually not fun, several similar experiences with varied results. Some were good like yours.
Have had the handle yanked out of my hand before straps were required, NOT GOOD RESULTS as you can guess, luckily engine (a good one) survived.

One turned back to the outsides while I was running back hit the end of the lines snapped both, engine quit, the plane landed safely on it's wheels, no damage except to my nerves.

Flying a combat plane that came straight down the lines and made a 1 point landing where I was standing, gets your heart beating a little faster.

The planes can come up with a lot of ways to do this.

Carl

I had a Mathis Cherrokee turn in on me in an overhead, I took off running to grab line tension and caught it just as the plane hit the ground, my momentum could not be stopped at that point and between the plane hitting the grass and me pulling at a near full run ripped that plane into shreds! I still laugh when I think of it... Thanks for reminding me!

Had it happen more than I care to remember- some people seem to have a "slow left hand" and always let go of the outboard wing first- letting the plane pivot in at you.

I've made the save before - and had the plane save itself when I fell down while trying to run back, it reached the end of the lines and did a nice big loop while I got myself up off the ground.

I've also had one or both lines break when it hits the end of the slack with a good head of speeed- never good, and ripped the bellcrank loose a couple times.

We used to hand launch a lot- no prepared field to fly from when football / baseball / soccer started up north after a long winter.


Bill Heher
If it's broke, fix it.
If it aint broke - let me see it for a minute

It is a good thing my grandfather braced the wing tip. He said that if you ever lose line tension and get it back fast, you could rip the leadouts right out. Glad he thought of this. This is the last time I will ever ask for a hand launch.

This is the last time I will ever ask for a hand launch.

Perhaps it is time to practice hand-launches with a less significant ship so you both will get used to the experience.

I think we've all had times when we wonder if our pants are still clean.

George

>I think we've all had times when we wonder if our pants are
>still clean.
>
>George

I wasn't sure if my pants were clean when I landed so I went straight for the bathroom.

Been there too many times, even with planes that had numerous flights on them. There is an art to hand launching stunt planes as they are not going fast enough to fly yet. No matter what you never want to throw one on launch, don't ask me how I know. Combat planes were easy to launch if helper listens or has experience.

Next time watch it even if grass is mowed close. I lost one on maiden flight from paved surface. At my age I couldn't move fast enough. Having fun,
DOC Holliday

The last time that happened to me, both lines broke. Total loss.

>Been there too many times, even with planes that had numerous
>flights on them. There is an art to hand launching stunt
>planes as they are not going fast enough to fly yet. No
>matter what you never want to throw one on launch, don't ask
>me how I know.

I launched Frank Williams' PA61 model at the 96 NATs, thought it was going to take off with me!

Brett

Sounds like you were pretty lucky...you should have gone to Vegas instead.

About as comforting as looking down a gun barrel belonging to someone else

> About as comforting as looking down a gun barrel belonging
>to someone else

Or having a raging bull swinging a 10-6 at 8600 RPM running right at you [photo not recovered: devil.gif]

I had it happen twice.

Once when I was about 12 when a P-38 with two fox 15's came right at my head. (my father launched it and the nosegear hit something) It jerked the handle out of my hand when it reached the other side of the circle and when straight up about a mile. Crashed within 25 feet of the center of the circle about 2 minutes later. No one was using safety thongs at that time in my neck of the woods. Would have been about 1964 in Jersey City, NJ.

The second time was about 10 years ago when I snagged a grass clump when launching from a stooge. It was a pretty Imitation. It flew accross the circle and the profile body broke just aft of the flap horn when it hit the lines on the other side.

It happens !

Jerry Raimo

OK. I feel better now. I feel normal after reading this thread.

Mike

sure it should buddie youre a pro... GREAT SAVE JIM: