Looking for info on RattWorks AARD

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IceBerg

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Does anyone have experience flying with an AARD? I was hoping to get some opinions on if you think it could hold a 50" drogue as well as hopefully some dimensions. All I can find spec wise online is that it's rated to hold up to 2000 lbs of force but i'd like to know it's diameter and what threading they use to mount it. If you've flown it please let me know what you think of it.
 
It uses 1/4- 20 threaded stud to mount, about 1.25" dia, 1.75" long.
My first one was damaged in a failed deployment due to power failure of the electronics.
It was used to hold the main ( 120") in the payload section. The rocket would deploy a 36" drogue at apogee, main would deploy at 700 ft.
 
My first one was damaged in a failed deployment due to power failure of the electronics.
.
Thank you for the dimensions. Did it fail on impact because there wasn't a main? or did it have another issue?
Also I noticed that wording "first one" so it was good enough to buy another? lol.
 
I have one that was installed in a 4" rocket that I used to test different deployment technologies. They are built well and if assembled properly they work but you really have to pay attention to how you assemble it. I would ground test, ground test, ground test, with a focus on getting a feel for the assembly. You will know what I mean once you start assembling it as it feels different when done incorrectly.
 
Thank you for the dimensions. Did it fail on impact because there wasn't a main? or did it have another issue?
Also I noticed that wording "first one" so it was good enough to buy another? lol.

The electronics failed to deploy.
The AARD survived for the most part. There is one gouge on the top of it but merely cosmetic. The reason I bought another is that I lost the spring upon recovery of the wreckage.
A Bruiser buried in a Sod farm... the tail was 2 feet below grade.
 
I use them on most of my projects and really like them. Like Michael already said, it pays to have a bit of practice at how it assembles before you use it for the first time, and understand how it operates (or might not operate :)). Once you get a feel for it, it is pretty hard to go wrong.

Ethan
 
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