- Joined
- Jul 21, 2021
- Messages
- 338
- Reactions
- 411
- Location
- Turning Mill Rd, Lexington, MA, USA
- Site
- www.mintz.net
Exactly. I keep the "flimsy" pad in my Mini 2 bag in case I want to launch from grass or a dusty sidewalk. If I'm planning ahead better, I take a heavier pad that doesn't fit in my small Mini 2 bag. It hadn't occurred to me that I could use the car mat; I usually have a car handy.A piece of carpet works well too, even a decent sized car floor mat.
I think some do use them for precision landing reference, also stops debris blowing up on take off . landing, or grass etc possibly being an issue.
Personally, If I can't take off or land on a nice spot to not be a problem, hand launching and catching is so easy once used to it.
Hand launching/catching would also solve the problem, but I'm not comfortable being that close to fast moving propellers when I don't need to, especially if there are any wind gusts (personal decision, I'm not suggesting it's a bad idea for anyone else). I'm old enough to have "hand started" a Piper Tripacer with a weak battery (4 seat aircraft with a single 150 HP engine). So I'm not in principle objecting to being near spinning and potentially hazardous props. If I thought hand launching/catching was the only option I would learn to do it.
In case anyone is wondering, I went with sand filled PVC pipes as weights. They have the added benefit of being fine defensive weapons in case of any hostile anti-droners appearing