When hang gliding, the only launches I've ever blown were when I let
the AOA get too high. In a horribly underpowered, weightshifting ship
like an hang glider, high AOA is the easiest way to use up that human
1/4 horsepower and stall. The first launch I blew resulted in an
asymetrical stall and I partially spun back into the hill. The second
resulted in a mushing stall and even though I dropped 63' on the take-
off run, I never made it off the ground.

Of course its rather difficult to compare the take off envelope of a
BD-5 to a hang glider, but with respect to the rapid change in AOA ,
thrust/drag angles, and stall speeds, there are some similarities.
Weight slightly forward and nose level equal a low positive AOA and
increasing thrust as gravity takes effect and continues to accelerate
my ship. We're taught to resist the urge to push out (pull up) until
sufficient airspeed is achieved, usually best glide or greater. With
the BD, this would equate to VR, gear up, accelerate to at least best
glide or best climb (dunno which would come first) and then continue
the climbout. Runway length and obsticles considered of course.

Anyone know what the typical takeoff run is for a BD? Would it be a
good idea to drop the gear unpowered? They take less than a second to
deploy.

Just my thoughts from the non-powered end of the envelope.

Harry