Just thought I'd post something directly about rocketry, and a couple other
folks have described their approach to NAR Level 1. Here's my plan...
I've acquired my Skyripper H hybrid motor and most of the pieces of GSE...
I've learned a lot about some very obscure (and hard to find) gas fittings.
All the rocket pieces and materials are on order, and I finally bit the
bullet and ordered a flight computer-- I settled on the G-Wiz LC 400. I like
the accelerometer-based apogee detection, and the power output (supports two
batteries).
The rocket will be an overstable 4" x 72" (+/-) scratch built, G10 fins
(hopefully... I've gotten some tips from my cousin the machinist on cutting
and handling the stuff, and think I can pull it off. If not, plywood). Dual
deployment, ejection at apogee (drogueless -- 25' 9/16" tubular recovery
harness), a 54" x-form chute at 400'. Weight right around 5.5 lbs. If final
ground testing supports what I've found so far, I'll be introducing a
variation on main chute deployment, mostly applicable to hybrids. Of course,
none of it matters until the bird is flown and back in hand, undamaged, but
damn am I having fun planning. Complexity means failure points, and I've
always loved dancing with Murphy.
Barring the unforseen, at our Section's June launch I plan for a 1000' L1
certification flight on an H155 load, top speed of about 170mph. I took the
suggestion "low and slow" quite seriously.
Kevin OClassen
NAR 13578
- posted 17 years ago