Old school glider launch with Hi-Start or Bungee

The bungee also know as Hi-Start, is a simple system to launch your RC glider.

Using a very long rubber band and an even longer fishing line you can tow a glider and make it take off like a kite, it is raised to an acceptable altitude where the glider can continue flight by catching thermals and other updrafts.

This system is really simple but it works very well, currently, most modelers use a motor with retractable propellers in their gliders instead of using this towing system, the advantages of using the integrated motor is that you can use it anytime you need to gain altitude and turn it off when not in use, with this you do not have to place the towing system and walk tens of meters at each launch, that last one is the great disadvantage of the Hi-Start, using the towing system requires some work for both when preparing it on the airfield and for each launch.

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[rickharms]

40 years ago we had no choice, hi start or winches. Hi start was the norm for weekend flying. I had a much more powerful hi start. At full stretch I could hardly hang on. In fact, sometimes an assistant was necessary. The wings would bend so much it was worrisome. It was awesome.

[ranashome]

40 years ago I would launch simply by a towline !
Much simpler than a bungee, and damn good for fitness...
Greetings from Calcutta, India

[segwaydave]

I learned to fly RC from high starts 35 years ago. Thanks for the fond memories!

[gmo]

I've had a lot of fun with hi-starts. Specked out a 2.5m glider from a high-start launch - very satisfying.

[leofraser]

I’ve done this recently - got the kids really engaged chasing after the end of the line and bringing it back to me!

[igorvalentovitch]

I fly both types of gliders - motor-powered and bungee "powered". Indeed, flying with a motor is less hassle and you can get the glider really high at no time, but there is some special thrill (magic if you want) in launching a glider with a bungee - -it rises up fast but gently at the same time - a rare form of balance, which exists only in nature (birds). I even enjoy the bungee set-up process more than playing with the batteries. The modern world, however, is all about convenience.

[johnw]

Used to fly at the Delyn model flying club in early 90s here in Wales. The singing kettle field (named after a nearby pub) had a noise restriction after 1pm. So before 1pm it was powered flight. After 1pm. The gliders would come out and the bungee. I used to take my os max.25 powered 3 channel Yamamoto trainer up at 12:50. Fly power till the my digital watch would beep. Then cut the throttle and glide. In summer with decent thermal I managed a 45 minute flight. Began to worry the reciever battery pack on the old futaba set was going to give out and so brought her down. We laid back in the tall grass. Me and instructor just single stick flying. Was a hell of a flight. The gliders came out to join me but for some reason I found lift they didn't. And most were on their second or third launch by the time my I structor Paul. Said.. better bring her in.. good times. High starts are still a handy tool in the right spot.

A parachute is very good to help you find the line between launches. Safer too as slows the lines decent if you do happen to have walkers around. And if you accidentally let the line go whilst hooking up the parachute will open and slow the recoil across the ground.

[neftalisebastian]

Eres un dios amigo! explicas todo tan bien, detallado y al grano! y tu ingles es muy fluido, de hecho me gusta mas este estilo gringo, te hace ver mas profesional! saludos!

[MrHelidude]

Very fond memoriesof how I used to fly my very similar glider just like this 🙂

[dgillphotos]

You'll get it. It takes practice. Thicker rubber, a reel for the line and get a parachute. We get 8, 000 - 15, 000 steps when we fly.

[woogieman]

I love my high start! Use it for my f3j Maxa 4m and my Zenith 3.6m. When I don't feel like setting up my winch, the bungee works great

[awuma]

I've been doing it for 45 years. Good exercise! The new F3-RES /F3L contest class uses only hi-starts: 15 metres rubber, 100 metres line, < 4 kg pull when rubber extended to 45 m. That's quite a pull for 2 metre wooden gliders weighing typically 400 g, but hi-starts are much gentler and safer than winches. Note that the rubber is either latex or silicon tubing, typically available from medical or fitness equipment suppliers. For sport flying, the rubber can be extended to ~ 3 - 4 times its relaxed length (e.g. walk 50 paces from relaxed for rubber 15 paces long when relaxed). A hi-start is decidedly better in some wind (less extension then needed). A larger spool makes it easier to lay out and roll up the line and rubber together, rubber over line. Kept in a bag in a dark place, a hi-start can last many years. Beware of kids trying to steal one at the flying field ... I lost one that way at the Pasadena Rose Bowl many years ago.

[robinbeckford]

All that inconvenience and work, and walking as well! That must have been tough.

[davidpiper]

I used to 'bungee' lightweight gliders as my main hobby. I gave up because I lost the use of the field and flying in a public place caused problems. People tripping on the line, general safety. Now I have motor gliders, it's not the same.

[Johnny-ttzc]

I prefer this to powered gliders. It’s a learning curve.
Luckily, my flying club has a dedicated strip for bungee launches

[seicosid]

Very good video! Your content is always very informative! I just bought an old style towline glider with the thoughts of adding a folding prop and battery, but not 100% sure where to start. It’s heavy with loads of old lead weights, so taking a big battery and motor should not be an issue, I think, but converting it… Well that’s the next project. If you have any pointers, I’d appreciate it! Keep up the good work!

[Declan-pgcg]

Try Furry Glen at the Chapelizod end of the park; the treeline area is good for thermals in the evening after a sunny day.

[sergenoblia]

Hi, how far from the center of gravity do you place the hook under the fuselage?

[ewan_young]

discus launching a dlg and it would go higher and stay up longer because there glide ratio is insane !!! (if you are any good at it :D )

[SomeGuyInSandy]

Trading the battery, engine, and whatnot for leaving that weight on the ground can't be a bad thing!