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Step 3Rubber tubing
50 - 100 feet of rubber tubing. UV resistant if possible. Normal surgical tubing isn't UV resistant, and it will get brittle after too much time in the sun. Tie a key ring to each end and tape or heat shrink them too as shown in the photo.
For my set up it was 50 feet of UV resistant latex tubing purchased on ebay for $20
3/8 inch outside diameter 1/16 wall.
This is for BIG PLANES over a pound, and is a very fast take-off on my glider.
For smaller, lighter models weighing in at under a pound, 20-100 feet of 1/4 outside diameter tubing is good. And you may not need much if any tow line for tiny park flyers.
You'll notice I'm not giving exact numbers because as long as you have very stetchy tubing with enough pull, your highstart will work!. The longer the tubing, the more gentle and higher your launch will be.
What is important is that you'll be pulling 5 to 10 times the weight of your plane on the tubing to provide take off. If you have less pull than the weight of your plane, no take-off.
For me 8 - 10 pounds will get a good launch because my plane weighs two pounds.
To get higher launches you can use more pounds of pull or add more tubing.
The higher the pull/weight ratio is, the quicker and more dangerous your launch will be.
For my set up it was 50 feet of UV resistant latex tubing purchased on ebay for $20
3/8 inch outside diameter 1/16 wall.
This is for BIG PLANES over a pound, and is a very fast take-off on my glider.
For smaller, lighter models weighing in at under a pound, 20-100 feet of 1/4 outside diameter tubing is good. And you may not need much if any tow line for tiny park flyers.
You'll notice I'm not giving exact numbers because as long as you have very stetchy tubing with enough pull, your highstart will work!. The longer the tubing, the more gentle and higher your launch will be.
What is important is that you'll be pulling 5 to 10 times the weight of your plane on the tubing to provide take off. If you have less pull than the weight of your plane, no take-off.
For me 8 - 10 pounds will get a good launch because my plane weighs two pounds.
To get higher launches you can use more pounds of pull or add more tubing.
The higher the pull/weight ratio is, the quicker and more dangerous your launch will be.
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It also looks like it could be very dangerous so I caution anyone who is thinking of doing this to be very careful! Here’s what one blogger posted:
I could think of about 20 horrible scenarios right off the top of my head that would devestate you and your family for years (i.e. less than solid anchor comes flying at your face at 30 MPH or you "bungee" yourself right into a sturdy object, say a wall or tree).
That being said…
Looking at the pics and vids I would have to say it would be possible. It looks like they are using 3 lengths of 1/2 inch (or maybe larger) tubing that is braided together.
With the tubing I use (3/8 inch) it can produce 15 pounds of pull. If you were to use 3 lengths and braided them like a Banshee you should get at least 45 pounds of pull. I would think that this would work.
If there is an instructable member who has a Banshee or has built one please let us know what diameter and length of tubing they are using. Or better yet, make an banshee bungee instructable!