Bert, thanks for posting this. Yes, hand launching the Tortuga can be tricky! Full throttle or it will not go well. Luckily we already had the same launcher at our flying club from back when it was designed. It works so sweet. You do need to be careful that the canards don't hit on the way out. And also the bottom of the vertical stabs don't catch on the PVC edges by the front 90s. We found the best result using the brown surgical type tubing. It gives you a strong pull over a greater distance. The bigger black stuff didn't stretch as far. We use a load gauge and stretch it out till we get about 18 lbs of pull. About 5X the weight of the plane.
Great to see how to DIY and build something much better, then you can buy in any store, against any prize! Maby there is just a little bit of hope left on this world! Thanks for sharing mate! Great Build you have taken out all the flaws that they left in the consumer version! Best part is...., you done that by using your brain, took something and make it even better!
I was very hyped about the Tortuga, once finished I just couldn't believe how heavy and how short the wingspan is. Cannot play with variety of propellers because of the short wingspan. It almost torque rolled to destruction at medium speed. I hope Sab's Lizard is better because the Tortuga is better left hanging pretty from the ceiling.
Thanks Bert for taking the time to share the details of your launching system. Ive adapted a few of your designs into my launcher and it works flawlessly. Although the gorgeous Tortuga doesn't fit into my budget, now I have a safe and reliable way to launch my flying wings.
Only change I'd suggest is lose all those extra fittings at the pivot point and just add some spacers below the board mounts to the cross. Maybe a washer either side to keep it turning freely. And the screw-in bungy peg as mentioned elsewhere here. Rest looks hunky-dory.
dont use a straight spike for fixing/tying down the front of the bungee . if it comes free, which it will, its then a danger to the user.. Instead use a dog holding corkscrew , sold in pet stores..these simply screw into the ground and stay in place
Hi Bert! I want to build one of these launcher, I’ve already purchased the materials but needed to ask if you could tell me the measurements of how high is the launcher in the front vs the rear. Want to make sure I get the correct inclination angle. Thanks!
He mentioned that the front legs are around 24 inches long and the rear legs are around 12 inches long but I would suggest those measurements would include the length of the respective tee's and elbows.
Very nice. You are a good engineer!
Bert, thanks for posting this. Yes, hand launching the Tortuga can be tricky! Full throttle or it will not go well. Luckily we already had the same launcher at our flying club from back when it was designed. It works so sweet. You do need to be careful that the canards don't hit on the way out. And also the bottom of the vertical stabs don't catch on the PVC edges by the front 90s. We found the best result using the brown surgical type tubing. It gives you a strong pull over a greater distance. The bigger black stuff didn't stretch as far. We use a load gauge and stretch it out till we get about 18 lbs of pull. About 5X the weight of the plane.
By far the best and well thought out design I've seen so far.
Thanks for posting.
Great to see how to DIY and build something much better, then you can buy in any store, against any prize! Maby there is just a little bit of hope left on this world! Thanks for sharing mate!
Great Build you have taken out all the flaws that they left in the consumer version!
Best part is...., you done that by using your brain, took something and make it even better!
amazing video, great and clear explanation and nice design! list of parts at the end - great bonus! thank you
I was very hyped about the Tortuga, once finished I just couldn't believe how heavy and how short the wingspan is. Cannot play with variety of propellers because of the short wingspan. It almost torque rolled to destruction at medium speed.
I hope Sab's Lizard is better because the Tortuga is better left hanging pretty from the ceiling.
Best launcher I have found anywhere. Thank you for sharing it. I am going to make my own.
Thanks Bert for taking the time to share the details of your launching system. Ive adapted a few of your designs into my launcher and it works flawlessly. Although the gorgeous Tortuga doesn't fit into my budget, now I have a safe and reliable way to launch my flying wings.
i know it is kind of off topic but do anybody know a good site to watch newly released series online?
@Ismael Noah Ehh I watch on Flixportal. you can find it if you google :D -alejandro
@Alejandro Wesson thanks, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I appreciate it !
@Ismael Noah Happy to help xD
Very nice !!
I just got my first Avid Tortuga today. Looking forward to flying it!!
I will build this launch setup.
That was very helpful, thank you!
Only change I'd suggest is lose all those extra fittings at the pivot point and just add some spacers below the board mounts to the cross. Maybe a washer either side to keep it turning freely. And the screw-in bungy peg as mentioned elsewhere here. Rest looks hunky-dory.
Welcome back
Bert, can you tell us how long are the vertical legs. I kinda figured out the others. Want the correct angle. Thanks.
Need to make one soon.
Thanks for a great explanation, well done!!
thank you very much for the video, very professional
Thank you for the great idea...I wonder If it would work with say...a fw190 ...then just worry about landing gears when it comes to landing...👍🤓👊
Question..what kind of hook your using on the plane
dont use a straight spike for fixing/tying down the front of the bungee . if it comes free, which it will, its then a danger to the user..
Instead use a dog holding corkscrew , sold in pet stores..these simply screw into the ground and stay in place
that stake does look sketchy will all that tension.
Thanks for a great explanation,
Hi Bert! I want to build one of these launcher, I’ve already purchased the materials but needed to ask if you could tell me the measurements of how high is the launcher in the front vs the rear. Want to make sure I get the correct inclination angle. Thanks!
He mentioned that the front legs are around 24 inches long and the rear legs are around 12 inches long but I would suggest those measurements would include the length of the respective tee's and elbows.
Where you place the hock on any plane before or after the CG,thanks and is a good video!
On the Tortuga it is shown in the manual, it is very close to the CG, but every airplane is different.
Brilliant, thank you :-)
Not launching video?!?!
Have u try disc lounching the thing ?
No way. Would never work on this design.
Can you please give me link for Amazon for the bungge cable
Is hand launching not reliable?
Yep. Those large props driven by powerful motors will reliably take your fingers off! 😜😁
So Bert...I tried launching my helicopter with this and it just shot my canopy about 100 feet away.."just kidding"
Just do the very style launch! Works EVERY time and no extra gear needed... ua-cam.com/video/H4T8IdtfIlI/v-deo.html