Hands Free Launching of RC Sailplanes with No Pain!
The Hands Free Launcher is a rise-off-ground (ROG) RC sailplane launcher that is designed for use with a winch to launch RC sailplanes without needing to throw them by hand.
Hi! My name is Dan Vester, and I created the Hands Free Launcher after I developed shoulder damage from years of launching RC sailplanes, and this caused me to be unable to launch RC sailplanes any more due to pain and the risk of further damage to my shoulder.
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The launcher has been tested and used by quite a few fliers through hundreds of launches, with not a single bad launch. On average, the launch heights obtained with the Hands Free Launcher have equaled or exceeded the average launch height obtained by the traditional hand launch method.
Several pilots used the Hands Free Launcher at the Southwest Classic in Phoenix in February of 2009 and 2010. The South West classic typically has 100+ pilots, and is the largest sailplane contest held in Arizona each year. The Southwest Classic and the Visalia contest held in the fall in California have approved the use of this type of launcher, and I use it at all of our club contests in Arizona.
The Hands Free Launcher is simple to use.
The launcher is staked down to the ground using a 10" spike, usually about 15-20 feet to one side of the winch, with the front of the ramp pointing towards the turn-around. A special 3 legged tow strap made from 1" wide nylon webbing material is used to connect the winch to the sailplane and the launcher. This strap is sewn in the shape of a "Y", with "D" rings at the end of each leg. One arm of the "Y" is about 10" longer than the other. This tow strap is suitable for launching sailplanes normally (by hand) or launching with the Hands Free Launcher, so it can serve both purposes in a club or contest situation where both types of launches are taking place.
Hover your mouse over the images below for details. You may also click on any of the images to see a full size image with more detail.
The tow strap is connected with the foot of the "Y" attached to the winch line, the short arm of the "Y" held captive by one of the 3 hooks (see 'Late Breaking News' below) on the Hands Free Launcher autorelease arm, and the long arm of the "Y" is connected to the tow hook on the RC sailplane. The Sailplane sits on the launch ramp, inclined slightly nose-up to cause the sailplane to rapidly rotate into the climb phase of the launch in a fashion very similar to a hand-thrown launch.
To launch (after properly connecting the "Y" strap and setting the sailplane on the launch ramp) simply step on the winch pedal fully, allowing tension to build in the winch line until the autorelease arm kicks forward and releases the tow strap, which immediately launches the sailplane. The autorelease arm then resets itself in about 1/2 to 1 second, ready for the next launch. The sailplane will normally rotate up into a nose high climb within 10-20 feet of the Hands Free Launcher with no input from the pilot.
The autorelease mechanism is totally automatic. It releases when the winch tension reaches a pre-set value, and resets itself immediately after launch.
The Hands Free Launcher is ready to fly with when you receive it. It comes with a wing stand to hold the wing level prior to launch, 10" steel spike to stake it down, and a 'Y' strap.
Late Breaking News! Launch ANY Size Sailplane...
...from Balsa Gas Bags to Open Class Carbon fiber ships! Since making the video and taking the photos, the Hands Free Launcher has been improved. The autorelease mechanism now sports a release arm with THREE hooks instead of one. Each hook provides a different release tension. The low tension hook is for Balsa wing sailplanes, the high tension hook is for moldies and carbon fiber ships, and the intermediate hook is for sailplanes that fall between these two extremes (Ava’s, Topaz, etc.).
This improved release hook is manufactured for us by a CNC machine, and the 3 hook arrangement allows the pilot to select the desired launch tension simply by choosing the appropriate hook. No levers to mess with, no settings to change. Simply place the Launch Strap 'D' ring on the hook that provides the tension that is appropriate to your sailplane.
Also, the launch ramp now hinges in the middle for easier transport and setup, and the wing stand has been improved by replacing the carpet with a piano wire support that functions better than the carpet did.
Here's How To Order:
You can pay with PayPal or a credit card. Simply click the 'Buy Now' button below to order. You may also pay by check or Postal Money Order. Please Contact me if you wish to mail payment and I'll provide you instructions for sending your payment.
These are in stock and ready to ship, all ready to go fly with when you receive it.
The price is $295 plus $15 shipping and handling in the continental USA (For Alaska, Hawaii or International shipment, contact me prior to ordering for shipping rates).
NOTE: The winch shown in the photos is NOT included with the Hands Free Launcher. It's appearance in the photos was strictly to show how to use the HFL with your winch.
Please Contact me if you have any questions. I try to answer all inquiries within 24 hours, but please have patience if it takes me longer to answer as I may be out flying, or out of town or away from the internet for 2-3 days at a time sometimes. I travel a lot on my Honda Goldwing, and that takes precedence over emails!
Comments are welcome below, testimonials are especially appreciated.
February 14th, 2012 - 19:09
I really like the idea of this launcher but the price for the assembled launcher is just to high for me. I can certainly understand you charging what you do because thousands are not going to be purchasing it so it is a unique purchase. I certainly would buy it as a kit that one could assemble.
February 13th, 2012 - 20:24
I would buy a kit in a heart beat. The complete unit is just to high in total price for me. Let me know if and when you do decide to kit the launcher. Great looking product.
David Bell
November 30th, 2011 - 12:13
I think this informative article. It\’s a benefit in buying the winch. We very severely. My spouse and i enjoy your next great go through. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’m searching for this specific solution for a long time. Nowadays My spouse and i lastly had the solution out of this website.
July 21st, 2011 - 18:34
Thank you, I have recently been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?
July 21st, 2011 - 11:18
My name is Larry Squire. I am past president of The Florida Soaring Society.
I tore my Right rotator cuff many years ago,had an operation but it never
healed properly. I have always had my timer launch,while I pedaled. Your device would be perfect but too much money for me.
I have a woodworking shop and would welcome the chance to fabricate my own. I would order your parts and plans for about $150.00. I would send the money in advance if you would make a kit of this type!
July 9th, 2011 - 06:42
I like the idea of a partial kit. What thickness and size of plywood would I need to purchase? What other materials would I need to buy in addition to the ply wood?
April 28th, 2011 - 20:29
As editor of our newsletter I should like to get more details. It looks very impressive.
Any more news of whether you are goingto produce a partial kit without wood componements?
April 13th, 2011 - 00:30
Are the metal only component kits available plus plans?
February 6th, 2011 - 22:16
What part of what I wrote makes you hesitate? Perhaps I can answer your remaining questions.
Dan
February 6th, 2011 - 19:45
This was a very thought provoking post and it made me think. I concur with you for the most part but some of what you wrote still makes me hesitate.
January 5th, 2011 - 20:38
I would be interested in ordering just the metal parts and your NTS instructions for building the wood components. When can I place my order?
November 11th, 2010 - 08:09
I have been considering a partial kit that would include the metal parts and a multi-media CD/DVD that would have video of me assembling an HFL along with PDF documents on the CD/DVD that would be printable by the kit buyer (you) on 8-1/2″ by 11″ paper (reduced size plans). Target price for such a partial kit would be $149 plus $15 shipping.
I need to know from all of you website visitors if there is a market for a kit like that at that price before I do the work of producing it. All comments would be greatly appreciated, and if you would personally purchase a kit once it’s ready, please leave a comment here saying that, or use the contact form to let me know you would purchase one of these kits if I developed it.
Thanks!
Dan Vester
November 11th, 2010 - 05:11
as per Jared…
>As an option please consider offering a Partial kit with only the metals componants sans the wood and with a NTS builder plan set with basic intructions. This would save the home woodcraft builder and perhaps promote this more.
Would really help with cutting shipping costs for international purchase
October 12th, 2010 - 15:10
I’m a senior pilot and have found the Hands Free Launcher very helpful. It performs as advertised. I have been out and able to fly by myself without assistance due to the easy performance of the launcher, flying my Ava. One of our local level 5 pilots, Brian Smith, also launched a glider with it and pronounced that it launched very well. Now I feel free to go out and fly when no one else is available.
September 27th, 2010 - 10:18
I am going to really put it to the test very soon. I just bought a 14 ft constelllation weighing 9 pounds.
September 6th, 2010 - 07:03
Hi, my name is Bob Sunmmers. I bought a hands free launcher and have used it to launch my Aquila Grande, AVA and Pike Perfect. It works flawlessly. It has three different tensions, depending on which you choose to hook to. No adjustment is necessary. It has given me a chance to practics as I please, with no need to find someone to come to the field to launch my planes.
August 30th, 2010 - 07:53
Hi,
Looks very nice, and for some of us aging flyers.
As an option please consider offering a Partial kit with only the metals componants sans the wood and with a NTS builder plan set with basic intructions. This would save the home woodcraft builder and perhaps promote this more.
August 28th, 2010 - 16:05
Jack, the launcher release mechanism now features a 3 level hook where each hook provides a different preset release tension. The low tension hook is for Balsa wing sailplanes, the high tension hook is for moldies and carbon fiber ships, and the intermediate hook is for sailplanes that fall between these two extremes (Ava’s, Topaz, etc.). There are no levers to set or adjustments to make, the pilot simply chooses which hook to use when he places the launch strap ‘D’ ring onto one of the 3 hooks.
Dan
August 27th, 2010 - 19:37
The club (gdshs.com) is thinking of purchasing one of your units but we launch everything from moldies to gas bags so want to know if the launch tension is adjustable and if it is, how. Can you walk up to the devise and select a launch load in a couple of seconds or does it take minutes to change?