Bungee Launcher with video

[ATIS]

A bungee launcher takes away the need for a fellow flyer to HL your plane or for those planes that are harder to HL it gets the plane on step very quickly. I built this launcher with 3/4" PVC pipe from Lowes along with a few other items from there. The Bungee itself I picked up on line. The launcher has two settings... the first is 11" between the rails for the smaller planes and the second is 21" between the rails for bigger planes. It breaks down for semi-easy transportation. The rails come off and it has two stake points, one on each end, to hold it down.

My UltraFly BAE Hawk has always been a tough HL, no idea why as she weighs less then 2lbs but for some reason the HL has always run about 90% failure.

I launched with 20 lbs of tension. A little higher then recommended but it worked fine.

The basic rule is 5 lbs of pull for every 1 lbs of the plane. You need to hold a little up elevator on the launch. I forgot to do that on the first launch. :opto:

http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=384

http://www.vimeo.com/7866619

http://www.vimeo.com/7883722

[WJCJR1]

Wow plenty of kick off the launcher!

FUNNY as heck I was downloading this video and the few cartoon ones Travis posted. Well after you said "I hate doing this the first time" with a auto-launcher well at that exact second the circus music started up from Travis's cartoon. Fit in perfect I thought it was your background music, then I heard a dog barking and figured it out. Was funny as heck though the timing was perfect!

I was suprised to see just how far she launches that plane.

Where are you hooking onto the plane?

Wayne

[ATIS]

I made a "V" out of heavy piano wire thats got a 1/2" leg on one side and a 3/4" leg on the other. I put cuts across the 3/4" leg and then epoxy it between two pieces of bass wood that I put a small channel in. I then cut a opening the size of the bass wood out of the belly (basically a recessed opening that the wood fits perfectly) and epoxy the hook and wood into the belly. You locate the hook 2/3 the distance between the planes nose and the CG marks.

Warning...Bungee launching your aircraft is VERY addictive!!! Something about the rapid acceleration. Looks really good with Navy aircraft, I just need an F-14 and the song "Danger Zone"!!

http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=387

http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=386

http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=385

[WJCJR1]

Warning...Bungee launching your aircraft is VERY addictive!!! Something about the rapid acceleration. Looks really good with Navy aircraft, I just need an F-14 and the song "Danger Zone"!!


Nice looking hook up there.

I was wondering about that acceleration too, I bet the pilot in there picks his eyeballs out of the back of his skull after each launch! That first launch, although not what you intended, really showed the amount of sling that thing has WOW!

Wayne

[ATIS]

The instant acceleration is the addictive part...that and the fact that I know she will get "on step" every time. Its great for those planes you hate to HL on your own since you can do it yourself and have both hands on the sticks. I always read that once you get one you will ask yourself how you got by with out it... I now understand that statement. Its simple and easy to use and works great. I will post more detailed picks of her so anyone can make one if they like.

[WJCJR1]

I'd like more detail pics and build instructions, often thought of flying the T-28D wheel-less but hand launching isn't fun for me.

The Habu would be nice without wheels as well.

Wayne

[ATIS]

The Habu with a nice strong 30c 4s 3200 lipo (which would make it slightly heavier then stock) without the LG off the bungee would be awesome. I am thinking of adding the hooks to my smaller EDF's from Kyosho simply because they all have to be thrown very hard and level to get on step.

Detailed picts will be posted tomorrow as its now dark and the launcher is loaded in the truck.

[ATIS]

another video added.