Abstract: A holding and starting device for hydro-pneumatically driven aircrafts composed of a base body carrying a flange that can be connected to it, the flange furthermore merging into a hollow cylinder portion receiving at least one sealing ring, latches pivotable about a shaft, and having a latch engagement means for a locking ring of the aircraft, and a release ring rotatably mounted on the base body, so that a release of the locking ring of the aircraft can take place. The latches have an actuating surface, which surface causes a pivoting movement of the latches when a nozzle-like neck portion of the aircraft is put on. With or at a rotation of the release ring against pretension, stop ends of the latches move into a respective associated setoff or a respective associated recess, so that the latches release the locking ring for starting.