15. Takeoff Options#

This dropdown (below) on any Fly Screen lets you choose how your airplane takes off. Being towed aloft is another launch method. It is discussed in the aerotowing chapters, e.g. single pilot aerotowing

15.1. Ground Takeoff#

With Ground Takeoff selected, the aircraft starts out being placed on the ground.

This selection is mainly used for power planes.
To start rolling, increase throttle.
You can also add wind to cause airplanes to “lift” off (hold down the Home key) on their own.
It would simulate having your airplane being blow away by the wind.

15.2. Hand Launch#

With Hand Launch, you throw the airplane like a javelin.

To change the launch direction (azimuth) and nose up/down angle (elevation), move the mouse.
To launch, press the Spacebar .

15.3. Hi-Start Launch#

A Hi-Start Launch is a ground-staked bungee (rubber line with string) that pulls the airplane aloft after being stretched out and released (more or less like a kite launch).

In FS One, the line is stretched out by an amount you pre-set. Choose a hi-start line that is properly sized for your airplane.

To change the launch direction (azimuth angle) and angle (elevation angle), move the mouse around when you start a flight session.
To launch, press the Spacebar .
After launching, the hi-start line will release freely when it “flies over” the line, unless in Options | Towlines (here) you have unchecked the box for Open towhook (launch line is free to disconnect).

15.4. Winch Launch#

Winch Launch is via a cable connected to a motorized winch that you control.

To change the launch direction (azimuth) and angle (elevation), move the mouse.
Press (pulse or hold down) the ` key to run the winch and increase the line tension.
To launch, press the Spacebar when there is enough tension to pull the aircraft aloft. Your line tension on the aircraft is displayed on-screen.
The winch line will release freely when the airplane “flies over” the line, unless in Options | Towlines (here) you are not using to option: Open towhook (launch line is free to disconnect).
Alternatively, you can manually release any time by pressing the Insert key. For more, see next.

15.5. Captive Towhook Release#

In Options | Towlines, if you have unchecked the box for Open towhook (launch line is free to disconnect), then the towline is captive (attached) until you disconnect it manually. Press the Insert key to disconnect the line at any time. For aerotowing, the towline is always captive and Insert must be used to release the towline. To release the towline from the towplane, use Shift Insert .

Information

If a Mouseable Chase View is being used (e.g. F7 camera views) for hand launch, the mouse will point both the airplane and the camera view direction. The situation will be confusing at first. Use the basic F1 view to regain proper orientation and thereby only mouse-point the airplane.

Troubleshooting: Towline Falls Off Before Launch

If the line is not captive and it falls off before launch (due to rope whip dynamics, slack, low initial tensioning, or line positioning/length or “all of the above”), then either increase the line tension in Options | Towlines or else use a captive towhook.

To gain more perspective of how the line is initially interacting with the airplane (before moving the mouse to point), use the F1 view and the arrow keys to move around. Or use the F5 views to smoothly drift toward the airplane before launch.