Abstract: A starting device for a flying body on an aircraft includes a structural frame fixed to the aircraft, a towed-body holding saddle on which the towed flying body can be held by the effect of the tractive forces of the trail line and at least one swivelling lever by means of which the towed-body holding saddle is swivellably connected with the structural frame. The towed-body holding saddle is swivellable so that it can be moved, together with the towed flying body, from a first position close to the aircraft, into a parallel position farther away from the aircraft and back. The position away from the aircraft is displaced outwardly and downwardly, relative to the axes of the aircraft, the position close to the aircraft.