Jim's Two Year R&D..

After watching a demonstration of this working prototype, I felt compelled to include this as a special feature on Fly2K..

Jim's catapult is shown here with the launch cart pulled back fully in the loaded position.. Two huge springs provide the energy necessary to propel glider and pilot up to flying speed along the track..

I felt like I was looking down the barrel of a loaded gun..

Lock and Load..

The machine has been well thought out and well constructed.. From the hand cranked haul back system to the multiple safety locking mechanisms.. You can see the two large springs set immediately under the tracks.. the cable winding drum is a graduated cone that provides smooth acceleration.. The swinging keel rest is another slick feature..

Launch Ready..

Mounted on the catapult device, Jim begins a pre-launch checklist that ends in an almost NASA - like countdown.. Scott Rutledge was elected to be the trigger man.. The firing mechanism is a standard towing release located at the aft end of the catapult..

Ready, Aim, Fire..

When the release is pulled, the glider and pilot are accelerated smoothly down the tracks.. With a slight breeze, flying speed is easily attained and the glider springs off of the track.. Amazing proof of concept.. If my picture timing was better, you would have seen the glider flying to a nice landing..

For information about the catapult, you'll have to get in touch with Jim..

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