billdz
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- Feb 10, 2017
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On a windy day, many folks aim their rockets into the wind, on the theory that, once the chute opens, the wind will blow it back towards the pad and reduce the length of the recovery walk. I've read in this forum that this is not necessarily a good idea, because aiming into the wind promotes weathercocking. Some have even suggested aiming the rocket with the wind, for a straighter flight.
Yesterday's launch seemed to confirm this. It was the windiest day on I which I have flown. Most people aimed 10 degrees or so into the wind, and several flights weathercocked in the direction of the launch (opposite the direction of the wind). A few aimed with the wind, which seemed to produce straighter flights (but much longer walks).
This got me wondering how the weathercocking process works, as it seems counter-intuitive. If a rocket has any tendency to bend over, one would think that a flight in the direction of the wind would increase the bend, while against the wind the breeze would tend to keep the rocket straighter. But it appears to be just the opposite. What's the science behind this?
Yesterday's launch seemed to confirm this. It was the windiest day on I which I have flown. Most people aimed 10 degrees or so into the wind, and several flights weathercocked in the direction of the launch (opposite the direction of the wind). A few aimed with the wind, which seemed to produce straighter flights (but much longer walks).
This got me wondering how the weathercocking process works, as it seems counter-intuitive. If a rocket has any tendency to bend over, one would think that a flight in the direction of the wind would increase the bend, while against the wind the breeze would tend to keep the rocket straighter. But it appears to be just the opposite. What's the science behind this?