Bixler Hand Lunch?

Around half throttle is fine for launching the Bixler. Don't try and throw too hard, and at a very, very slight upward angle with a little elevator on.

Gentle toss, or or just move it forward so to speak, It's not a javelin.
people that trow "hard" have a tendency to trow it downwards, even if they intend to trow it slightly upwards.

Gentle toss forward, and give it a second to gain speed, before your use the controls. of cause if it heads directly into the ground GIVE it up elevator.

Gain good height, going up NOT like i rocket, gently and get used to turning with the rudder, compensating with the ailerons to keep the wings level.

at good height CUT throttle, and let it float, Trim if necessarily.

Troels / Instructor at my club

edit: corrected spelling errors,

Edited by Blind Vision - 10/Nov/2011 at 7:32am

the GOOD and FAST edf's are hand launched too - just much harder to hand launch, so you are in the right direction training with the Bixler -for a EDF

happy maiden flight with her red25

One word of warning when it comes to hand launching....don't let others know you can do it!!! I made that mistake, now I never get a moments peace...lol.

Different planes have different characteristics or need a slightly different approach when it comes to hand launching, however the basics would be....

1. Make sure the plane is balanced in the hand.
2. Don't give it too much power.
3. Try and feel the strength needed, taking your guide from what the plane feels like it naturally wants to do speed wise. You should be guiding the plane off in a positive manner as opposed to throwing it.
4. Launch it level and flat.
5. Avoid the urge to slam on the power if it's going wrong. A well balanced plane will land flat with the power cut and no control inputs....unless you've really screwed up the launch.
5. Elevator is your enemy (read stalling 101). If you haven't got enough speed, too much elevator is only going to make the situation worse.
6. If in doubt...cut the power, glide it down and try again. Even if there's an obstacle in the way, it's better to hit it in the glide than hit it with full power on!!!


Once you have the basic mastered you can move on to the underhand toss, the forehand wing launch and the backhand wing launch...the last two being especially useful for pusher jets/wings where you fear removing a finger on the prop or have little to grip by way of a fuselage.