Do you hand release/hand catch? Or not?

I'm in the camp that does.

What is hand release and hand catch?

Hand Launch and Hand Catch are methods of throwing a drone with your hand to start it flying and catching it with your hand to land it.
I believe it is a good idea to master these techniques in order to fly a drone.
Based on my experience, I would like to explain Hand Launch and Hand Catch in various situations.

◉Hand Launch
A hand release is when you hold a drone in your hand, point it vertically upwards, and spin the propellers, releasing it from your hand to start flying. A hand release can make flying a drone safer, especially from confined or high places.

1. Power on the drone.

2. Hold the drone in your hand and point the propellers upwards and away from your hands.

3. Power on the drone or use the appropriate remote control command to start the propellers.

4. Once the drone is stable, release it and start flying.

◉Hand Catch
Hand catch is a method of landing a drone by catching it with your hand while it is flying. This prevents the drone's propellers from touching the ground, allowing for a safe landing. Hand catches are used especially when landing in unstable locations or to protect the drone's propellers.

1. Hold the drone hovering above the landing spot so you can safely catch it with your hands.

2. Hold the drone in your palm and wait for the propellers to spin.

3. Make sure the drone is stable and keep your hands away from the propellers to support it.

4. Once the drone is safely in your hand, stop the propellers and power it off.

Hand release and hand catch are convenient methods of drone operation, but care must be taken to perform them safely. It is important to be particularly careful not to injure yourself on the propellers, and to be familiar with the drone's flight capabilities and operation methods. Also, don't forget to follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines.

Past Cases
○Photographing the Ogasawara Islands' "Minamijima"
We chartered a boat for half a day to photograph Sameike Pond over Minamijima.
At the time, the wind was 1m to 3m and there were some waves.
We decided that it would be impossible to fly a drone while standing on the bow of the ship and taking photos.
In this case, hand launch and hand catch are a must.
One thing to note is that the boat will rock both vertically and horizontally.
It is extremely dangerous to follow a ship or take pictures away from the home point.
After consulting with the captain, we recommend that you anchor the boat or move it no more than 5m away from the target for photography.
The propellers will be forced to stop by hand catching the drone and tilting it 90 degrees.
Spread your feet wider than shoulder width, brace yourself, and try to make a hand catch while withstanding any shaking.

Past Cases
○We stood on the cliffs of Umahanazaki, Yonaguni Island, and flew towards the sea.
The ground was rocky and there was no place to place the drone, so we decided to fly it by hand launch and hand catch.
Unlike on a boat, there is no rocking, so in that respect it is not that difficult, but the wind blowing up the cliffs and gusts of wind can make the aircraft unstable. (Wind conditions must be checked on the day.)
One thing to be careful of is to stay about 1 to 3 meters away from cliffs.
It means avoiding the risk of falling yourself.
When operating a drone, you may become so focused on the transmitter (the monitor in your hand) that you lose track of your surroundings.
*You may need to ask your assistant to tell you where you are standing, etc.

Past Cases
○From a surfer in Chiba Prefecture while shooting a promotional video
Everyone has probably taken pictures of surfing or taken pictures from the shore.
In that case, it is best to place the drone on the beach and avoid taking off and landing.
The reason is that sand flies around and gets into every nook and cranny of the aircraft.
The most troublesome thing is that if it gets into the part where the propeller is connected, it becomes gritty and causes the propeller to turn poorly.
Even without that, sand is already flying around on the beach.
We recommend that you perform proper maintenance and wipe it clean after each flight.
The machine will rust.
Also, if you get too close to a surfer, you may get splashed with water when he turns and fall off.

summary

Conclusion
Being able to hand launch and hand catch can be useful in a variety of situations.
Although a site survey may be necessary in advance, I think that most drone pilots will fly the drone on the day (actual day).
If you want to respond flexibly on the spot, you will need hand launch and hand catch.
I practice every day and learn from YouTube.
Among them, the channel that explains things in an easy-to-understand way is "Wa Lab Channel"
Please check here for reference.
*This post has been confirmed by WaLab Channel.