What's your favorite CTI propellant?

[TD Sky]

Hello, everyone. I normally fly AT White Lightning and Mojave Green, but am thinking seriously about switching the CTI 29mm and 38mm motors. What are some of the things you like about those reloads? Any favorites? Thanks.

Tim
TRA 9256 L2

[BsSmith]

I do not have any CTI cases, but I too am thinking of getting some for a few reasons.

#1 reason- Skidmark

#2 reason- Ease of assembly

#3 reason- Skidmark

#4 reason- Wide variety of propellant choices with AMW Pro-X

#5 reason- Skidmark (as you can see I like Skidmarks, the AMW Pro-X ones are some of the loudest motors of their size.)

[n3tjm]

Accurate delays (assuming the delay drill too was made right)

[cjl]

I fly mostly Aerotech, but I do like the CTI motors. I'd say my favorites are the White Thunder (great in bigger loads especially - the L2375 will always be among my favorite motors), Skidmark, and Blue Streak (good flame, and quite a bit slower than most blues). The Imax also looks nice, but I've only seen one fly. Of course, I'm still partial to White Lightning and Mojave Green too.

[Viperfixr]

Hello, everyone. I normally fly AT White Lightning and Mojave Green, but am thinking seriously about switching the CTI 29mm and 38mm motors. What are some of the things you like about those reloads? Any favorites? Thanks.

Tim
TRA 9256 L2

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with AT in those sizes, but Pro38 is EASY; I have every Pro38 case available. If I were to L1 cert again, being a newbie and not wanting the stress of putting together an H/I motor for the first time, I would unquestionably go the Pro 29/38 route.

You just cannot screw it up easy (although I am sure someone will come up with that lone exception), and they light on the pad instantly--no chuffing, just instant on. And, the clean-up takes 1 minute to do--wet paper towel around the inside of the forward end of the case, and that's it.

The Red Lightning is very nice, the Classic not as smoky as White Lightning, the Vmax is a real kicker--love it, and the Smoky Sam like the FJ. I have not tried any other formulations. The adjustable delay is awesome, and easy to do. They might cost a bit more than comparable size ATs, but the convenience is worth it at times (i.e. when I want to fly more in a day, ease of use, or if it's an important/high stress flight).

All that said, I will not sell my AT stuff and still fly it as much or more now that I am used to building them (RMS) from 18-38mm.

[TD Sky]

Thanks everyone - excellent help. I will definitely be trying some CTI motors this summer.

[MarkM]

You just cannot screw it up easy (although I am sure someone will come up with that lone exception),
But, plenty have....by inserting the reload into their rocket sans casing. Makes for an interesting fireball on the pad.

While I fly AT in the smaller sizes and Gorilla in 54mm and up, I'm interested in trying out the new Blue streak, especially in the 29's. Deep blue flames are cool and CTI seem to have thrust curves similar to other propellants. I'm not a fan of the quick Blue Thunder from AT.

[Donaldsrockets]

I've only flown the Classic and Smoky Sam motors. The Classic is nice because of the long burn and the SS was really cool due to the thick black smoke trail.:D

But, I'm really itching to fly some CTI Skids!!!:D

[SpartaChris]

You just cannot screw it up easy (although I am sure someone will come up with that lone exception), and they light on the pad instantly--no chuffing, just instant on.

Yeah, you can screw it up. I've seen instances where people forgot to put the reload package in the case. Let's just say you wind up with what amounts to being a nice blow torch burning out both ends!

As for CTI motors being "instant on", we proved otherwise this morning. Lee Scott flew his 6" Thor with a central K1275 and 3 J380 Sparkies from AMW-ProX, all lit from the ground.

To light the central motor we used thermite with an e-match. The sparkies had the standard CTI ignition slug in the top, also lit with an e-match.

When the button was pressed, the K1275 lit instantly. The sparkies didn't come to life until the rocket was about 1,000' in the air. Again, all were lit using e-matches on the ground.

Instant on? Yeah, not so much. :)

[MarkM]

But, I'm really itching to fly some CTI Skids!!!:D

Donald!!! I lieu of Harold's absence I'm forced to act on his behalf :)
You better look for another field to enjoy your skids. Come up to Tampa..maybe Harold will give ya a ride one weekend; he usually comes.

[Donaldsrockets]

Donald!!! I lieu of Harold's absence I'm forced to act on his behalf :)
You better look for another field to enjoy your skids. Come up to Tampa..maybe Harold will give ya a ride one weekend; he usually comes.

Hey, did I say you could join this party???;):D

Just kidding, that's what I plan on doing.;)

[MarkM]

Hey, did I say you could join this party???;):D

Just kidding, that's what I plan on doing.;)
Please do..would be good to have ya. Next weekend could be huge with potentially as many 5 or 6 L3 certs and one other M flight. I know I'll be there just for the spectacle.
Paul Robinson often comes so he may have any skids you want on site.

[madsen]

It would appear that CTI users like Skidmard motors. That is great. I love fireworks too. However, I am waiting for the bad news. I have a bit of experience with the old "Firestarter" motors. They were fun to watch--but they started fires. Under normal circumstances, if one is carefull, a motor that emits a shower of sparks can be perfectly safe--if one has water and fire fighting equipment on hand. However, every so often a rocket will go up about 10-20 feet and make a 90 degree turn--hug the ground and travel four or five hundred feet and dive to the ground. Normally, when this happens--it is not a major problem. If this were to happen with a motor that emits a shower of sparks--this could be a disaster. Many launch areas have lots of dried up weeds. I would hate to have to fight a 500' fire--it could be a problem. As someone once said: "This is Rocketry, not fireworks" My launch area is covered in dead weeds most of the year. I honestly do not think it is a good idea to fly a motor that could potentially cause a major problem. If someone wants to fly a sparky type motor where there is no fire danger--that is great. However, most of the sparky type motors that I have seen flown were flown in areas where fire was a danger. Every time I hear the LCO announce a sparky type motor-I cringe. They have the ability to seriously hurt the hobby. The last thing that we need is more bad publicity. I will not even mention the liability implications.

[MarkM]

While I agree with your sparky assessment in concept, I think you're overreacting a touch. Yes, a major fire could be very problematic. If you are that concerned about sparky motors and the danger they pose to the field you fly at, you should bring your concerns to the LCO. The LCO has the authority to deny a flight/motor for any reason he/she sees fit. The majority of LCOs/prefects are very cognizant of the potential fire hazard sparky motors pose. One club I fly with bans sparkies completely at all times - no exceptions for precisely the reason you mentioned..lots of dry weeds even after a rain storm. The other clubs have a sparky ban enforced as warranted by the LCO based on field conditions. For about three or four months this year, the Tampa Tripoli allowed no sparky flights. Now that the rains have started in central Florida, the sparky ban is lifted, but can be enforced whenever field conditions mandate it. All clubs I fly with have fire suppression equipment and fliers on alert.

[madsen]

Thank you MarkM for your thoughtful answer. I assumed that the Skidmark fans would issue an all out attack on me. One other point that bothers me is "perception". We have lots of people in Washington that do not really like us. I imagine our attorneys attempting to win friends and influence people--and having a politician or regulator hand them a picture of a Skidmark showering sparks all over the place. It would be very hard to convince someone that we are serious rocket enthusiasts when it might appear that our rockets would better belong in a 4th of July celebration. I love fireworks. Whenever I get a chance to go to Texas--I try to go just before the 4th--and I let loose. I just think that the presence of "sparky" type motors does us no good. In my humble opinion, we are better off sticking to black smoke, red flame, and green flame rockets. In the past week we have seen that the news media is ready to pounce on us whenever the opportunity arises. I just do not want to give anyone the oportunity.

[cjl]

It would appear that CTI users like Skidmard motors. That is great. I love fireworks too. However, I am waiting for the bad news. I have a bit of experience with the old "Firestarter" motors. They were fun to watch--but they started fires. Under normal circumstances, if one is carefull, a motor that emits a shower of sparks can be perfectly safe--if one has water and fire fighting equipment on hand. However, every so often a rocket will go up about 10-20 feet and make a 90 degree turn--hug the ground and travel four or five hundred feet and dive to the ground. Normally, when this happens--it is not a major problem. If this were to happen with a motor that emits a shower of sparks--this could be a disaster. Many launch areas have lots of dried up weeds. I would hate to have to fight a 500' fire--it could be a problem. As someone once said: "This is Rocketry, not fireworks" My launch area is covered in dead weeds most of the year. I honestly do not think it is a good idea to fly a motor that could potentially cause a major problem. If someone wants to fly a sparky type motor where there is no fire danger--that is great. However, most of the sparky type motors that I have seen flown were flown in areas where fire was a danger. Every time I hear the LCO announce a sparky type motor-I cringe. They have the ability to seriously hurt the hobby. The last thing that we need is more bad publicity. I will not even mention the liability implications.

Actually, the CTI motors have smaller chunks of titanium than the old Animals did, and as a result, the sparks don't linger nearly as long. I've seen quite a few of the new CTI skids recently, and not one of them started a fire. On the other hand, at our launch site (national grasslands), when someone flew one of the old Animal skids, a small grass fire was a near certainty (and as a result, they were eventually essentially banned on all but the wettest of days). In that respect, they seem safer than the old Animals. Besides, with some common sense, the risk is fairly small. You definitely don't want to fly them in a field of large dry weeds for example, as MarkM pointed out.

[Donaldsrockets]

Thank you MarkM for your thoughtful answer. I assumed that the Skidmark fans would issue an all out attack on me.

No, you happen to have a very valid point. Even I personally am very fascinated with them, I can also realize when they can and cannot be flown safely and would never fly one in a field that was full of dry grass nor would I ever use one for the maiden flight of a rocket regardless of field conditions.

If your field is in as bad of shape as you say it is, then they should NOT be flown AT ALL and have your club officers put an immediate end to all sparky motor flights until ground conditions improve.;)

Like MarkM said, our club FLASH Rocketry never has and never will allow members to fly any onsite due to tall weeds and I'm talking TALL weeds here. I'm just a tad over six feet tall and some of this crap comes up to or just past my mid section. If a spark from a sparky motor landed in this stuff, it would probably light it up in a heartbeat get out of control in a matter of minutes.

And I'm perfectly ok with this as it is a matter of safety.;)

Again, I personally love Skids and I'm hoping to fly my very first one very soon but only if the ground conditions are right.:)

[terryg]

Common sense dictates that we do not fly sparkies on our dry desert field on most of our launches. However, after some our monsoon rains you would have a hard time staring a fire with a blow torch and on those rare days we allow it. Other desert launch sites in Arizona, California and Nevada are so barren that there is little to burn. I am looking forward to using a sparky on my next night launch.

[brianc]

What's your favorite CTI propellant?

Well after last weekend's launch, I'm diggin' the Red Rhino
and Skids! :D

This is my 7.75" Megga Mag (http://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=28034) launching on a central 5 grain
J335 Red and outboard 2grain H123 Skids.


Many thanks to John Seaton and Jimmy Yawn for the photo!

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

This is my 7.75" Megga Mag (http://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=28034) launching on a central 5 grain J337 Red and outboard 2grain H123 Skids.
Great photo. I assume this is the J335 Red?
Jeroen

[brianc]

Great photo. I assume this is the J335 Red?
Jeroen
Yup. sorry, fat fingers combined with insufficient coffee. ;)

[ECayemberg]

Spartachris,

Flew one of the new 38-6GXL J520 Skids a week ago and had the experience. There were photographers unfamiliar with rockets and I told them that the J520 would probably light much quicker than the AT H123W that I had just launched previously and took a second to come up to pressure. They got a few pictures of igniter smoke after the motor gave a big chuff, paused for a second or two, then took off.

Not necessarily a problem with the motor, but if you're expecting "instant-on" like you find with most CTI motors, you may be up for a surprise as Chris describes. I myself was suprised it chuffed, then sat there for a few seconds.

BrianC: Great photo and cool flight. Always gotta have a Minie Magg in the fleet; and a bigger one to boot is too cool!

-Eric-

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Spartachris,
Not necessarily a problem with the motor, but if you're expecting "instant-on" like you find with most CTI motors, you may be up for a surprise as Chris describes. I myself was suprised it chuffed, then sat there for a few seconds.


The Skidmark propellant has a relatively large amount of binder (to produce the black soothy smoke). It is therefor quite hard to light. I've seen 0.5 - 1 seconds ignition delay, but usually < 0.5s. Several seconds sounds long to me.

In an ideal world we would probably have a larger igniter pellet for the Skidmark propellants. However, that would be another complication for our production people. With so many (new) motors life is hard enough for them ;-). And, as I said typical ignition delays are less than 0.5s.

Jeroen

[als57]

What's your favorite CTI propellant?

Well after last weekend's launch, I'm diggin' the Red Rhino
and Skids! :D

This is my 7.75" Megga Mag (http://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=28034) launching on a central 5 grain
J335 Red and outboard 2grain H123 Skids.


Many thanks to John Seaton and Jimmy Yawn for the photo!

Thanks for the peek at the J335. Got one sitting here to fly at the next launch. Now if the 5 grain skids would turn up......:cool:

Al

[daveyfire]

Now if the 5 grain skids would turn up......:cool:

They're out there...

[MarkM]

Very nice

[SpartaChris]

They're out there...

That really was an awesome flight. I think it needs one of the 6XL motors next!

[cjl]

The Skidmark propellant has a relatively large amount of binder (to produce the black soothy smoke). It is therefor quite hard to light. I've seen 0.5 - 1 seconds ignition delay, but usually < 0.5s. Several seconds sounds long to me.

In an ideal world we would probably have a larger igniter pellet for the Skidmark propellants. However, that would be another complication for our production people. With so many (new) motors life is hard enough for them ;-). And, as I said typical ignition delays are less than 0.5s.

Jeroen

That's why I'll augment the included pellet (paint the inside of the grain with pyrogen) for my Deuce flight at LDRS (2 Pro54 6G skids). It may be overkill, but I've already watched it climbing away on a single skidmark twice. It won't happen again.

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

That's why I'll augment the included pellet (paint the inside of the grain with pyrogen) for my Deuce flight at LDRS (2 Pro54 6G skids). It may be overkill, but I've already watched it climbing away on a single skidmark twice. It won't happen again.
The Pro54 uses a larger igniter pellet. They light a bit quicker, if I recall correctly (too many new motors lately :) ). Better not take any chances with that flight. Should be pretty cool to watch.
Jeroen

[ECayemberg]

The Skidmark propellant has a relatively large amount of binder (to produce the black soothy smoke). It is therefor quite hard to light. I've seen 0.5 - 1 seconds ignition delay, but usually < 0.5s. Several seconds sounds long to me.

In an ideal world we would probably have a larger igniter pellet for the Skidmark propellants. However, that would be another complication for our production people. With so many (new) motors life is hard enough for them ;-). And, as I said typical ignition delays are less than 0.5s.

Jeroen

Jeroen,

Yessir, not a big deal, and no reason to change the design; just something to watch for. I have always been amazed at how easily the Smoky Sam propellant lights for the same reason.

I can't believe all the new loads you guys are cranking out. Please stop, this is getting expensive.;)

-Eric-

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

I can't believe all the new loads you guys are cranking out. Please stop, this is getting expensive.;)
Sorry to hear about that ;-). We were about to certify a whole new line of motors in a new propellant. See here for a photo:
http://www.rocketryplanet.com/forums/showpost.php?p=128184&postcount=2

[MarkM]

Sorry to hear about that ;-). We were about to certify a whole new line of motors in a new propellant. See here for a photo:
http://www.rocketryplanet.com/forums/showpost.php?p=128184&postcount=2

Will that be available in the 29s (at least eventually)?

[cjl]

Sorry to hear about that ;-). We were about to certify a whole new line of motors in a new propellant. See here for a photo:
http://www.rocketryplanet.com/forums/showpost.php?p=128184&postcount=2

Oooohh - green :D

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Will that be available in the 29s (at least eventually)?
Yes.

[Donaldsrockets]

I take it this might be a Barium free green.;)

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

I take it this might be a Barium free green.;)
Barium nitrate free. I don't want anyone here (edit: in the plant) handling that material.

[MarkII]

Can't see the photo. (I'm not a member of the RP forum.)

MarkII

[als57]

Jeroen:

Any chance of the Pro 29's being available by LDRS? A 29mm skid would be cool.


Al

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Any chance of the Pro 29's being available by LDRS? A 29mm skid would be cool.

They are available. Make sure to bug your dealer in time. Here is a photo of the smallest one. The Pro29-3G G106 (photo# MHM2009-077279 from http://www.libertylaunchsystems.com).

[kelltym88]

Well I for one have always been extremely jealous of everyone bragging about how they got to fly AMW motors, especially the skids. Afterall, it seemed the state they were not certified in was California.


All that has changed. I flew my first skidmark motor this past weekend at Rocstock. Now I've got to get some CTI casings. And what? They are available in 29 mm? Night launch here I come. So my favorite would be the skidmark.



Here is my unfinished Cosmodrome Black Brant II on an H-123 Skidmark. Yes that is 38mm.. It was so easy to modify. It was an awesome flight. Sorry 'bout the crappy pic tho.

[MarkM]

They are available. Make sure to bug your dealer in time. Here is a photo of the smallest one. The Pro29-3G G106 (photo# MHM2009-077279 from http://www.libertylaunchsystems.com).

That will look nice in my 3" Horizon. Nice sparks for such a small motor.

[jj94]

CTI is coming out with so much nice stuff. Just wondering, are there any more F motors in store to come?

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

CTI is coming out with so much nice stuff. Just wondering, are there any more F motors in store to come?
Yes, soon. Maybe an E as well.

Jeroen

[jj94]

Yes, soon. Maybe an E as well.

Jeroen

That's great!:D

[Donaldsrockets]

I got a lot of rockets that G106 Skid would look great in.:D

[als57]

They are available. Make sure to bug your dealer in time. Here is a photo of the smallest one. The Pro29-3G G106 (photo# MHM2009-077279 from http://www.libertylaunchsystems.com).

Actually I did. Told him I'd take a 4 grain case and a couple H123 skids if he can get them by LDRS.:D

Al

[kilr95ss]

Yes, soon. Maybe an E as well.

Jeroen

That's great news, you guys are really coming through with the new stuff!

[cjl]

Jeroen:

Any chance of the Pro 29's being available by LDRS? A 29mm skid would be cool.


Al
Your dealer doesn't have them yet? My local vendor had them for our club's Mile High Mayhem launch, over Memorial weekend (he sold something like 6 full sets of hardware and a whole bunch of loads). The Pro29 skids are awesome, as is the H399 White Thunder :D

[dlb]

Hey Skids light easy if you use a good igniter.
below is a race between a PR Little Dog and a Wildman JR
Little dog had a AT KBA I301 and Wildman Jr had a AMW I315
you can see who got off first! and to prevent fires it was launched from the road( still had fire equipment at hand)

Don't know about CTI stuff, but seen a CTI G skid last month, Nice!

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

A 29mm skid would be cool.
How about a Pro29-6GXL Skidmark? (available in HQ on YouTube's site)
kUSpc6QJziU

[cwbullet]

Skidmark unless it is a dry day.

[cjl]

Well, I saw an all glass Talon 3 fly at a launch yesterday on the Pro38 6xl Imax (J530, IIRC), and that was pretty spectacular. Looked like a great load - not quite as violent or large of a flame as the AT J570, but more overall power and a bit longer burn. I may have to fly one at some point :D

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Well, I saw an all glass Talon 3 fly at a launch yesterday on the Pro38 6xl Imax (J530, IIRC), and that was pretty spectacular. Looked like a great load - not quite as violent or large of a flame as the AT J570, but more overall power and a bit longer burn. I may have to fly one at some point :D
Cool to read that these motors are starting to show up at launches. The J570 may have close to twice the initial thrust compared to the J530. Total impulse is around 943 Ns vs. ~1100 Ns. The J530 is currently the largest certified 38mm motor.

[Donaldsrockets]

I got to fly a Pro29 6 grain H180 Skid in my BSD Sprint yesterday. I'd say it probably hit close to 3,000 feet or so.

Awesome motor, very loud and very sparky.:D

[als57]

Your dealer doesn't have them yet? My local vendor had them for our club's Mile High Mayhem launch, over Memorial weekend (he sold something like 6 full sets of hardware and a whole bunch of loads). The Pro29 skids are awesome, as is the H399 White Thunder :D

Nope. But soon I hope. LDRS will be my next chance to pick one up. Somebody should have some there.

Al

[cjl]

I'm sure somebody will. You should fly some - they're a lot of fun :D

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Here is one of my favorite motors right now:
5oum7dQkHKs

[cjl]

Oooohh - what's the designation on that one :D

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Oooohh - what's the designation on that one :D
Something like an 4830L1375. Perfect for a L2 like yourself ;-) Certification firings are scheduled for later this week....

Jeroen

[Delta-IV]

What's your favorite CTI propellant?

Well after last weekend's launch, I'm diggin' the Red Rhino
and Skids! :D

This is my 7.75" Megga Mag (http://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=28034) launching on a central 5 grain
J335 Red and outboard 2grain H123 Skids.


Many thanks to John Seaton and Jimmy Yawn for the photo!

WOW, Brian sorry I missed that launch. :cool:

I see you were able to get the middle motor to light, I need some pointers on how not to screw up a HPR cluster flight.

[TD Sky]

Ok, between the Skids, the Vmax's, the Imax's, the adjustable delays, and the fact that manufacture actually has popular sizes on the shelves, ready for dealer orders...uhh.. anybody looking for a bunch of AT 29/38mm hardware?

BTW Jeroen, thanks for the Pro75 Skidmark video - that's cool. Now I just need to build a rocket that can handle that beast!

[cjl]

Something like an 4830L1375. Perfect for a L2 like yourself ;-) Certification firings are scheduled for later this week....

Jeroen

That sounds fun. I may consider flying one at my club's Oktoberfest launch - I have a rocket perfect for the larger L motors (so far, it's only flown on the L2375 White Thunder and L2200 Mojave Green loads).

[Fade_to_Black]

I don't like the CTI's, especially since the M1400 CATO that destroyed my L3 rocket during my cert attempt. Unfortunately, I'm stuck flying another one since the motor was warrantied, but that'll be the last one I fly. It's all LOKI for me!!!

[cjl]

So you don't like one of the most reliable motor manufacturers because of a single failure? I've seen Aerotech catos, CTI catos (though not many), and Loki catos, among others. No manufacturer is immune to occasional failure.

[Fade_to_Black]

Problem was, they KNEW there was a problem with the propellant and still sold the motors, said everything was fine. After I post about my cato, at least three more incidents pop up all with the same propellant, and all of a sudden.... there's a recall!! You spend over a grand on a rocket, and hours upon hours of documenting and building and have your rocket blow up from "one of the most reliable" motors out there and tell me how you feel about it. That was like the fourth CTI AP motor I've ever flown, and it cato'd. (but I love the HT hybrids.) I've flown countless LOKI's and have had one cato. I've flown as many AT's and never had a cato. Sure, I've seen 'em, but my personal track record stands as it is. But the poor batting average with the CTI solids has left a very bad taste in my mouth.

[cjl]

I don't think they knew that the propellant had issues beforehand.

[Fade_to_Black]

Yep, they did. My motor vendor was told to look for cracks in the core of the grains, which we did. In fact, the borrowed case I used for my flight was a brand new replacement that was warrantied from a cato of an M1400 the previous fall.

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Yep, they did. My motor vendor was told to look for cracks in the core of the grains, which we did. In fact, the borrowed case I used for my flight was a brand new replacement that was warrantied from a cato of an M1400 the previous fall.
We were aware that there were issues. And we took action to solve it. We were quite sure all problems were solved, but just to be sure issued a warning to our dealers. The problem was the unpredictability of this. The propellant seemed to age and go bad. We tested numerous here, without problem. I cooled/heated/cycled them, no problem. We sent them out and get a warranty claim. This had us puzzled for a little while. We are quite confident that we solved the problem for good now.

I'm terrible sorry to hear about your failed launch. We are doing our utmost best to get you reliable products. Every warranty claim is taken very seriously and we try to learn from it.
Jeroen

[ben_ullman]

Fred, I agree that I only fly Loki (or my own stuff) but its all Snap Ring. I do think you need to rethink things. I like snap ring stuff because its easy to modify things. I fly research and commercial grains togther all the time. As long as you have a nozzle, Orings, a BH and liner your pretty much set.

[ben_ullman]

Fred, I agree that I only fly Loki (or my own stuff) but its all Snap Ring. I do think you need to rethink things. I like snap ring stuff because its easy to modify things. I fly research and commercial grains togther all the time. As long as you have a nozzle, Orings, a BH and liner your pretty much set.

CTI has a good track record. Ive had propellant cracks in grains before and didn't know it. (I found out after the fact) So it does take a little investigation to find it.


Ben

[Fade_to_Black]

We were aware that there were issues. And we took action to solve it. We were quite sure all problems were solved, but just to be sure issued a warning to our dealers. The problem was the unpredictability of this. The propellant seemed to age and go bad. We tested numerous here, without problem. I cooled/heated/cycled them, no problem. We sent them out and get a warranty claim. This had us puzzled for a little while. We are quite confident that we solved the problem for good now.

I'm terrible sorry to hear about your failed launch. We are doing our utmost best to get you reliable products. Every warranty claim is taken very seriously and we try to learn from it.
Jeroen

Thanks for your reply Jeroen, I appreciate the concern. That shows a lot of class. My next attempt will be with the CTI red M motor, maybe you'll get a little redemption, eh? ;)

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Thanks for your reply Jeroen, I appreciate the concern. That shows a lot of class. My next attempt will be with the CTI red M motor, maybe you'll get a little redemption, eh? ;)
Fred,

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are not hiding anything. By knowingly sending out bad reloads we would loose a lot of customers and potential future sales (and loose my own face).

We have a lot of new 75's (and more in the works). All very interesting. The Red 5G is very nice. If you don't have a L3 yet the 4G Blue Streak is very impressive as well (an L). And L2 flyers will certainly appreciate the 5G L Skidmark.

Jeroen

[cjl]

The old 75s are nice too. The L2375 White Thunder (4g) is among the more impressive Ls out there.

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

The old 75s are nice too. The L2375 White Thunder (4g) is among the more impressive Ls out there.

Yes, thanks for that. That is really an 'undervalued' motor. Like the M2505 3G Pro98 White Thunder (originally developed for a UAV booster program) and the Pro54 White Thunder motors.

Jeroen

[cjl]

It's definitely got a great flame on it, that's for sure:

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

It's definitely got a great flame on it, that's for sure:
That's a great shot! Thanks for posting that! I would like to add it to our web site with the little icons linking to a test / flight of each motor type. Do you mind if we use it? (with proper credit off course)

I just came in from today's certification firings. Still smell like a 'skunk'. Great fun. We tested 8 new motors. Some 29, 38, 54 and a 75. Went quite well, but I will leave it up to CAR/MCC to call them 'certified'.

Jeroen

[MarkM]

Details....
What propellant types? Anything new?

[Jeroen_at_CTI]

Details....
What propellant types? Anything new?
No new propellants - that is for the next marathon session in July. Just a lot of motors that I thought would be fun. We fired Classic, Imax, Smoky Sam, and Skidmark motors. Some of the products are already on YouYube, and not a real 'surprise'. There was a new casing (Pro29-6GXL). Yes it is long!

[Donaldsrockets]

Skidmarks are always a good thing.

The more sparks, the better!!!:D

[cjl]

That's a great shot! Thanks for posting that! I would like to add it to our web site with the little icons linking to a test / flight of each motor type. Do you mind if we use it? (with proper credit off course)

I just came in from today's certification firings. Still smell like a 'skunk'. Great fun. We tested 8 new motors. Some 29, 38, 54 and a 75. Went quite well, but I will leave it up to CAR/MCC to call them 'certified'.

Jeroen

Yep, you can use it. I can e-mail you the full resolution version if you want. The lighting isn't great, but at least it's sharp.

[nh4clo4]

No new propellants - that is for the next marathon session in July.

:clap:

At this rate I will have to increase my motor budget soon. I guess I'll just have to work more...:caffeine:

[Wiley]

They're out there...

Was that a 54mm or 38mm 5 grain?