Marty72
Elite member
Looks like the OP has disappeared but I have some thoughts too (many good suggestions/points in this thread). Monte C is on the mark, build something simple and easy to make.
Just over a year ago, when I started flying, I had no idea how to properly hand launch. I basically threw as if it was a glider, as hard as I could. The more velocity, the better, ha. I started flying with the Simple Scout and getting my hands to the radio was the most nerve racking part of the hand launch. It took me a long time to get comfortable and still to this day, hand launching a new plane makes me nervous.
Second, it's very important to hand launch into any wind, makes things much easier.
Third, focus on one thing, getting elevation. No matter how badly things are going, if you can keep climbing, you will have more time and options to fix whatever isn't going right. Sounds simple, but it was amazingly difficult to get yourself to think that way in the moment.
As stated by others, cg, motor, weight, ect are all very important but even with a "perfect plane", hand launching can be nerve racking.
As far as the Bloody Baron, that is an excellent choice to practice hand launches if you already know how to fly. That is one of the best hand launching planes I've ever tossed. It also is a very simple and fast to build from scratch (a true throw away plane), so if you crash it, you really aren't out much time and effort.
As a beginner plane, I think the simple scout is hard to beat (the tiny trainer is probably a better choice though). The simple scout lands and takes off with gear beautifully, it flies well slow and fast. It has a lot of aileron authority (spec build), so I'd tune it way down if you are a beginner. I'd cut that aileron travel in half with rates on the radio.
So my advice is if you are having trouble with hand launches, then you'll want to practice hand launching with planes you don't care about (that are easy to fix and build). The Master Series planes don't fit in that category. You could even practice tossing using the stripped out carcass of a crashed plane. Add some weight to the nose and toss away!
Just over a year ago, when I started flying, I had no idea how to properly hand launch. I basically threw as if it was a glider, as hard as I could. The more velocity, the better, ha. I started flying with the Simple Scout and getting my hands to the radio was the most nerve racking part of the hand launch. It took me a long time to get comfortable and still to this day, hand launching a new plane makes me nervous.
Second, it's very important to hand launch into any wind, makes things much easier.
Third, focus on one thing, getting elevation. No matter how badly things are going, if you can keep climbing, you will have more time and options to fix whatever isn't going right. Sounds simple, but it was amazingly difficult to get yourself to think that way in the moment.
As stated by others, cg, motor, weight, ect are all very important but even with a "perfect plane", hand launching can be nerve racking.
As far as the Bloody Baron, that is an excellent choice to practice hand launches if you already know how to fly. That is one of the best hand launching planes I've ever tossed. It also is a very simple and fast to build from scratch (a true throw away plane), so if you crash it, you really aren't out much time and effort.
As a beginner plane, I think the simple scout is hard to beat (the tiny trainer is probably a better choice though). The simple scout lands and takes off with gear beautifully, it flies well slow and fast. It has a lot of aileron authority (spec build), so I'd tune it way down if you are a beginner. I'd cut that aileron travel in half with rates on the radio.
So my advice is if you are having trouble with hand launches, then you'll want to practice hand launching with planes you don't care about (that are easy to fix and build). The Master Series planes don't fit in that category. You could even practice tossing using the stripped out carcass of a crashed plane. Add some weight to the nose and toss away!