Looks like Andy's is a single use rocket. Seriously, unless it comes down right on top of you, you ain't going to find that thing without some kind of tracking strategy.
"Im not out to try and set records by any means - just a hot rod sport rocket for cheap flights on F reloads and single use with a jlcr"
Be a tight fit with the JLCR though can be done. You really want to risk losing a JLCR? Without a tracking strategy that's what the recipe looks like from my end. If you simulate the heck out of it and it looks like you'll have a visual on it most of the way,
it should be doable with lower loss risk. If it goes to "outta sight" land for any length of time, the upper air winds are going to throw that thing all over the place and you won't know where to look. One half mile away and I don't care what kind of chute or colors
you paint that thing, you "ain't" gonna see it. It's likely not going to be visually tracked easily at a quarter of a mile.
The other stupid mistake is having the JLCR deploy down "really" low. Why? Your best chance at seeing the rocket at a distance is with the chute out with a slowed descent. If you pop it at 300 feet, you ain't gonna have much time to get a visual on it before
it lands. Sure, if you got a visual on descent all the way down fine, but holee molee you lose sight and have to frantically get a visual before it's down might be a better strategy to blow it a little higher. Of course if it's still "outta sight" blowing it higher could
carry even farther away from you but either way you're screwed.
As an example, I've flown a Wildman Jr a dozen times all but one completely out of sight the entire flight. It's fluorescent red with a yellow main chute bay. I've had several recoveries where it was a half mile away with a 36" parachute I have deployed
at 800 feet. I know where to look for it on descent because I live track on a map. A lot of times, I can tell the main is out because the APRS/GPS tracker tells me the descent rate has slowed. I know where to look and call out and nobody sees it either.
I walk up and it's lying there so pretty with the main chute out and not a mark on the paint job.
I've tracked other folk's projects and several instances where everyone is looking the wrong direction (based on surface winds) I've called and pointed out where to look. Sometimes we see it under the main, sometimes we don't because the rocket is too far
to be seen. Blowing the main up high actually gives time to see on the altitude indication on the ground station that the main is fully deployed and nothing to fear. (Descent rate slows) Just walk out and pick it up.
Andy, fly that thing down low many times so you can get a feel for it. Simulations are fine and should be used as a guide. They're not gospel. Walk your motor size up stepwise and you might find yourself getting a bit nervous and
halt at a motor that gives a satisfying flight without as much risk for loss. (Of course that might vary with windspeed) Again, think of your "poor" JLCR! Do you want to make it homeless?:jaw:
It seems I have some old beater cardboard rockets I stuff some big SU motors in 'em cause I don't care if God decides to keep them. Most of the time, I swear some guardian angel grabs the danged things and I get 'em back!!
The pretty ones He usually keeps!!
Kurt