Specific requirements of bungee launched gliders include the tow hook being secure and in the appropriate place - about 25-30 degrees ahead of centre of gravity.

 Be aware of the areas that you may launch from, may and may not fly over and where you are to land.  

Next comes the test throw, launched by the expert into the breeze and with the transmitter under his/her control. A couple more test throws should enable the trims (the minor control adjustments) to be set for level flight. Next up, the big launch.

The tow ring on the bungee line is placed on the hook and the plane pulled back to stretch the bungee. Just before launch, check left/right-up/down again and that the aerial is up.

Check the fliers and planes around you (and that there are none in front). Flick the levers so you can check your plane is definitely on (yep - seen that done - plane launched with receiver off)

Loudly call "launching" and wait for any response.

The plane is then launched forwards - usually about 30 degrees up from the horizon, and, if the hook is appropriately placed and all trims correct, it will then kite up at about 60 degrees with the pilot only having to put in a little left and/or right to keep the aircraft going up straight.

Up and down elevator may not be required at all on a well balanced plane. If the wind is strong, some down elevator may be required to stop the line from over-stretching. If the wind is light, or nil, a VERY small amount of up elevator MAY be required.

As the plane continues forward, it will go over the top of the peg holding the bungee rubber and the line will fall off the hook and fall to the ground. (If this is not happening, or the line is starting to pull the plane down, a little down then up elevator may be required to drop the line off the hook.)

In the early stages, your trainer will be doing all this for you.

NOW THE PLANE IS UP

Under the guidance of your trainer, you will be able to take over more of the flying. First the bit at the top (17 mistakes high!) and get used to the feeling of the controls.

If you turn your car to the left and then straighten the steering wheel the car will straighten out, - but not so a plane. Left rudder will put the plane in a bank. Centre the rudder stick and the plane will generally stay in the bank and continue turning. You will generally need some opposite rudder to flatten the plane.

A well trimmed plane will be trimmed to fly at its most efficient glide angle - which for most beginners' planes is just a little faster than stalling speed. Beginners often hold in up elevator in the belief that this will stop the plane from coming down - but all it does is to slow the plane to the extent that the winds are no longer performing efficiently - so the plane ends up coming down quicker.

Before taking your plane up, your trainer would have determined where it is to be landed, as per the "Square Landing Approach diagram" in the Learning to Fly section.

As it lost height the plane will have been allowed to come downwind of your trainer and then turned back into the wind for its final approach. If there are other fliers about, your trainer will have called "Landing!".

A well trimmed plane will be stable and come down gently and slowly and will require only a little rudder to keep it its nose into the wind. Your trainer will show you if any elevator is required to bring the plane down - to stop it hitting the ground too fast or too hard.

A common mistake of beginners is to try to land the plane as slowly as possible, keeping it off the ground for as long as possible, with a view to the gentlest of landing.

There are two risks in this, the first is that the plane will stall completely, and drop its nose sharply, or worse, will tip-stall and drop one wing only, with sad results.

Alternatively, if there is any turbulance about, the plane will be picked up and tossed into an attitude from which there is no opportunity to recover because of both lack of height and lack of airspeed over the control surfaces.

The better way is to let the plane maintain some speed, giving a consistant and appropriate glide path, no risk of tipstalling and plenty of airspeed over the control surfaces.

After landing, remember, switch off the receiver first and then the transmitter.

Keep building on your pyramid of success until things become quite natural. Soon enough you too will be launching, thermalling, "aerobaticing" and landing yourself. Be prepared for the occasional setback but reduce the probabilities of this by taking note of your instructor, flying in calm weather, maximising your safety parameters and practicing at home in the lounge getting a feel of the controls.

Keep your plane out of trouble and undamaged by knowing when the wind is too strong to fly. Polyhedral gliders are easily carried downwind and outside your cone of safety.