Hi Dan, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your design. I can see that you've put more thought into it than most. I didn't see anyone else employing a pulley between the shock chord and the model but I'm definitely going to do that after watching your video. It goes a long way towards explaining many of the crashes I saw where the model came off the launcher with the wrong attitude. Hope you keep coming up with ideas for people in the RC community to improve their flying experience with. Happy flying!
Carlos, My cord is 29 in. long, but has a 5 in, adjustable loop in the end that can be adjusted for various length planes. Adjust this cord so that it is taunt under the weight of the plane, once you slide the plane to the rear of the launcher. Be sure you use strong, braided cord. I used some venation blind adjustment cord I had in the shop. Good luck.
Darn, this is old Dan! Published a while back but i's what I'm building out of the many other videos I've seen. The only question I have is how long are the cords that tie to the plane and are pulled by the bungee cord? Can't seems to appreciate the length. Great job! Thanks!
Dan, I was wondering if you have a Video of the use of your launcher and set up with the plane on it? or would you be kind enough to do one, I had made a launcher out of 3/4 PVC and had the pin mounted on the front the problem with that was after time the board and pin set up began to wear down. I really like your pedal set up because it seems to be less stress on the frame and such. Thank you in advance in any help you can offer
Wildkat, I have not used my launcher in over a year since I lost access to private farm fields, with crop rotation. I fly at a regular club, and can not very well set it up in the middle of the active runway. Check out this short video on operation: SKYFUN Bungee launch/crash, or my other one on the launcher build. The failure of this launch was caused by a loose aileron rod connection, not the launcher. I have about 20 launches on this setup and there is no sign of wear. I feel the key is to keep it tightly staked to the ground.
Dan, I did watch that video, Thank you for getting back to me. My problem here in Pa. is that there are a few clubs but they seem not willing to take on new members so I use the launcher so I can fly by myself. But THANK YOU for the video anyway! I am going to use your peddle set up along with a few other ideas to make it easier to use. It also helps me with the Young Children that I work with who are considered "AT Risk", They are from the inner city and have very little exposure to the wonderful world of flying. The launcher are cheap enough to make and I can either give a child one or lend it to them, depending on their grades and behavior! Once again Thank you for sharing your ideas!
I too am from PA. Meadville PA; went to Edinboro State College and taught high school in Greenville. God bless you for working with kids. I am not sure I would turn a kid loose with this thing without close supervision, but you know your kids. Good luck!
Yes you are so right about "turning them loose"! I grew up in the" Child welfare system" I lived in a home for kids for 8 yrs and then foster care. I am 60 years old and I know that the one thing that seems to be a constant problem is no guidance or trust from adults. I make these children understand that I will be there for them and that I won't tolerate Bullying or stealing and telling lies along with a few other rules. They have to do their part on learning about the planes also, So yes it is time consuming but I hope that as they grow they will understand that there are better things out there for them,, they just need to put some effort in life to have a better life!
I guess it would be, but the pulley only travels a few feet and falls onto the ground. No one should be standing in front of the launcher upon take off.
Hi Dan,
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your design. I can see that you've put more thought into it than most. I didn't see anyone else employing a pulley between the shock chord and the model but I'm definitely going to do that after watching your video. It goes a long way towards explaining many of the crashes I saw where the model came off the launcher with the wrong attitude. Hope you keep coming up with ideas for people in the RC community to improve their flying experience with. Happy flying!
Thanks for your kind words. I try to share things when I come up with something new or an improvement on something old.
Great job well done thank you 👏👏👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Carlos, My cord is 29 in. long, but has a 5 in, adjustable loop in the end that can be adjusted for various length planes. Adjust this cord so that it is taunt under the weight of the plane, once you slide the plane to the rear of the launcher. Be sure you use strong, braided cord. I used some venation blind adjustment cord I had in the shop. Good luck.
Great vid. Thanks
Darn, this is old Dan! Published a while back but i's what I'm building out of the many other videos I've seen. The only question I have is how long are the cords that tie to the plane and are pulled by the bungee cord? Can't seems to appreciate the length.
Great job! Thanks!
Dan, I was wondering if you have a Video of the use of your launcher and set up with the plane on it? or would you be kind enough to do one, I had made a launcher out of 3/4 PVC and had the pin mounted on the front the problem with that was after time the board and pin set up began to wear down. I really like your pedal set up because it seems to be less stress on the frame and such.
Thank you in advance in any help you can offer
Wildkat, I have not used my launcher in over a year since I lost access to private farm fields, with crop rotation. I fly at a regular club, and can not very well set it up in the middle of the active runway. Check out this short video on operation: SKYFUN Bungee launch/crash, or my other one on the launcher build. The failure of this launch was caused by a loose aileron rod connection, not the launcher. I have about 20 launches on this setup and there is no sign of wear. I feel the key is to keep it tightly staked to the ground.
Dan, I did watch that video, Thank you for getting back to me. My problem here in Pa. is that there are a few clubs but they seem not willing to take on new members so I use the launcher so I can fly by myself. But THANK YOU for the video anyway! I am going to use your peddle set up along with a few other ideas to make it easier to use. It also helps me with the Young Children that I work with who are considered "AT Risk", They are from the inner city and have very little exposure to the wonderful world of flying. The launcher are cheap enough to make and I can either give a child one or lend it to them, depending on their grades and behavior!
Once again Thank you for sharing your ideas!
I too am from PA. Meadville PA; went to Edinboro State College and taught high school in Greenville. God bless you for working with kids. I am not sure I would turn a kid loose with this thing without close supervision, but you know your kids. Good luck!
Yes you are so right about "turning them loose"! I grew up in the" Child welfare system" I lived in a home for kids for 8 yrs and then foster care. I am 60 years old and I know that the one thing that seems to be a constant problem is no guidance or trust from adults. I make these children understand that I will be there for them and that I won't tolerate Bullying or stealing and telling lies along with a few other rules. They have to do their part on learning about the planes also, So yes it is time consuming but I hope that as they grow they will understand that there are better things out there for them,, they just need to put some effort in life to have a better life!
would it not be safer to put the pulley on the other end so that it does not become a fast moving hazard?
?
I guess it would be, but the pulley only travels a few feet and falls onto the ground. No one should be standing in front of the launcher upon take off.
what sizes on foot launcher can't see dimensions on your video
John, The base is 13 3/4in x 7 in. The pedal is 13 3/4in x 3 1/2in.
Wet your whistle