Simple skill tests may serve to identify skill levels among pilots. A good "A Test", or test for the HLA student to work toward, is four maneuvers from a single launch followed by a catch.

The last of the four maneuvers is a loop. This requires the pilot to conserve enough energy during the first three maneuvers to leave height for the loop, the approach and the catch. The first three maneuvers, in order, are a complete roll, a 360-degree turn, and another 360-degree turn in the opposite direction. The roll is not considered complete until the wings come through "level", or no bank angle. This means that the first turn should be in the opposite direction from the roll.

This is an excellent test of throwing and flying skills for many reasons. Mainly, it requires a smoothness of control that does not happen by accident! Once accomplished at performing an "A Test" sequence, an advancing pilot may be able to consistently accomplish more than just one loop at the end of that sequence. Subsequent "B", "C" and "D" test add more maneuvers and a higher degree of technical difficulty to the sequence.

If you think this sounds like an easy test, wait until you try it. It can be quite confounding. Your model may roll great, but it may lose loads of energy when you turn it or loop it. Or, it may loop and turn very efficiently but lose huge energy during the roll. These are typically the two sides of the wing span issue, with the longer span glider being best at the pitching maneuvers of looping and turning, and the shorter span vehicle being better at quick rolls.

If you can do the A test consistently, then you are making progress in the pursuit of Hand Launch Aerobatics. The beauty of HLAerobatics is that there is always something else to try. A new maneuver, a new sequence, a new airplane, etc. What should the next test be? Can you get more than one loop at the end of the "A test" sequence described above? If so, send us the video and we'll review it for posting here at Hand Launch Aerobatics! We are always looking for new pilots, planes, manuevers, sites, etc., to share with our visitors. (Remember, launching into slope lift doesn't count. This skill must be consistent over flat ground. - TH)

Other tests of throwing or flying skill may include but are not limited to the following types of tasks when performed consistently:

1) A repeatable orbit (starting and ending points and flight conditions the same) usign flat land dynamic soaring in a leeward wake of some object, or

2) Consistent throwing/maneuvering/catching with eyes closed or otherwise "in the blind", or

3) Jumping over the model X number of times in a single hand launched flight, or

4) X number of touch-and-gos off of the ground, the water or some other object in a single hand launched flight, or

5) Flying more than one model at a time while performing aerobatics with them, or....