An apparatus for launching an aircraft secured to a balloon by a tether includes a support member and a launch arm connected to the support member and rotatable relative to the support member about an axis. At least one mechanism releasably connects the aircraft to the launch arm and has a first condition securing the aircraft to the launch arm when the aircraft has a first orientation relative to the launch arm. The release mechanism has a second condition automatically releasing the aircraft from the launch arm when the aircraft has a second orientation relative to the launch arm different from the first orientation.