Remote control aircraft race launch platform

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing that includes a base coupled to a substantially planar platform configured to support a remote controlled aircraft;
• at least one sensor coupled to the housing, the at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the housing and output a switch signal in response to the movement caused by interaction with the remote controlled aircraft;
• and
• a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller including a timer to track elapsed time associated with a race involving the remote controlled aircraft, the controller to control the timer based at least in part on changes in the switch signal, the controller including at least one of logic or processor instructions to:
• start tracking an elapsed time in response to a first instance of the switch signal, and
• stop tracking the elapsed time in response to a second instance of the switch signal.

A system comprising:

• a launch platform including:
• a housing that includes a base coupled to a substantially planar platform configured to support a remote controlled aircraft;
• at least one sensor coupled to the housing, the at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the housing and output a switch signal in response to the movement caused by interaction with the remote controlled aircraft;
• and
• a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller including a timer to track elapsed time, the controller to control the timer to track an elapsed time of a race based at least in part on changes in the switch signal;
• and
• a plurality of air gates that define boundaries for travel of the remote controlled aircraft during the race at least one of before or after the remote controlled aircraft interacts with the launch platform.