Level 1 cert kit recommendations

[DaHabes]

Let's look at some numbers.

6 lb. descent weight, apogee at 7000', which is the top of the waiver, minimum field dimension is 3500', and wind is blowing in that direction; 12" drogue yields 90 fps descent rate.

If you reach apogee directly over the launch pad, and the winds aloft are at 20 mph, it takes 77 seconds to descend. 77 X 90 = 6930 feet of potential drift.

Your drogue descent has put you 3430' beyond the edge of your waiver area. Just sayin'.

OK, I'll play, so let's say you estimate this before launch because you know the potential maximum wind speed, the estimated max altitude and the rate of descent. Since you can calc all this up front, why would you launch? The suggested scenario also doesn't account for weather-cocking due to the lower level winds (likely to exist), hence the distance downrange the rocket goes into the wind, the reduced max altitude from angling over, etc., which can change the dynamics quite a bit as well. Besides, once you are outside of your field dimension, you're all too often screwed. From past (personal) experience, when you fly in high wind conditions, rockets tend to end up in...trees...on roofs...on power lines...in a creek. Been there, done that. Part of flying is knowing when not to fly. Just sayin'.

 

[Bat-mite]

OK, I'll play, so let's say you estimate this before launch because you know the potential maximum wind speed, the estimated max altitude and the rate of descent. Since you can calc all this up front, why would you launch? The suggested scenario also doesn't account for weather-cocking due to the lower level winds (likely to exist), hence the distance downrange the rocket goes into the wind, the reduced max altitude from angling over, etc., which can change the dynamics quite a bit as well. Besides, once you are outside of your field dimension, you're all too often screwed. From past (personal) experience, when you fly in high wind conditions, rockets tend to end up in...trees...on roofs...on power lines...in a creek. Been there, done that. Part of flying is knowing when not to fly. Just sayin'.

Agree 100 pct. I'm just trying to dispell the notion that some may have that DD is a foolproof way of not losing rockets. It helps, but offers no guarantees.

 

[DaHabes]

OK, I'll play, so let's say you estimate this before launch because you know the potential maximum wind speed, the estimated max altitude and the rate of descent. Since you can calc all this up front, why would you launch? The suggested scenario also doesn't account for weather-cocking due to the lower level winds (likely to exist), hence the distance downrange the rocket goes into the wind, the reduced max altitude from angling over, etc., which can change the dynamics quite a bit as well. Besides, once you are outside of your field dimension, you're all too often screwed. From past (personal) experience, when you fly in high wind conditions, rockets tend to end up in...trees...on roofs...on power lines...in a creek. Been there, done that. Part of flying is knowing when not to fly. Just sayin'.

Plus one more thing. The drift is calculated by multiplying the time of descent (77 seconds) by the lateral wind speed (20 mph), not by the descent rate (90 fps - that is the vertical descent rate). 20 mph = 29.333 fps. 77 x 29.333 = 2,258 feet, substantially less than 6,930 feet. I would still question launching in 20 mph winds, but that said, likely doable on a drogue.

 

[Bat-mite]

20 mph = 29.333 fps. 77 x 29.333 = 2,258 feet, substantially less than 6,930 feet

Woops.

 

[tOD]

I'm using the Madcow SuperDX3 for my L1 cert. Roughly 1600 feet on an AT H123W (low and slow). I'm building it so I can add the av bay and do dual deploy later, then potentially L2 if I'm comfortable it can handle the impulse of an I. It's pretty easy to build, versatile (can fly G through J) and there are several very good build threads on the HPR forum you can use as guidelines. Do join a local club as the locals can help with a lot of your questions along the way...

I just got my L2 on a DX3. AT J350 to 3171'. I built it with the 54mm motor mount but so far it's only flown on 38's. I picked up a 54mm J450 DMS motor that I'll try when I get the right conditions. I'm not ready to commit to 54mm hardware yet since K and L motors won't be something I'll be able to fly regularly. In fact my next build is going back to a 29mm motor mount

 

[DaHabes]

I just got my L2 on a DX3. AT J350 to 3171'. I built it with the 54mm motor mount but so far it's only flown on 38's. I picked up a 54mm J450 DMS motor that I'll try when I get the right conditions. I'm not ready to commit to 54mm hardware yet since K and L motors won't be something I'll be able to fly regularly. In fact my next build is going back to a 29mm motor mount

Yeah, I mean, for me this is primarily a visual and auditory "sport". Once it goes out of sight, it doesn't matter if it goes 5,000 feet or 20,000 feet, it's just "up there, somewhere" (unless, of course, if you're going for personal records or some such). I do like 29mm as well. I've had many a great flight on G's, plenty of oohs and ahhs from the crowd, you can see the rocket the whole time, they can't drift too far (I'm getting too old to chase them down...), and if the chute doesn't deploy, you get to see some pretty spectacular parabolic nose dives.

 

[tOD]

Yeah, I mean, for me this is primarily a visual and auditory "sport". Once it goes out of sight, it doesn't matter if it goes 5,000 feet or 20,000 feet, it's just "up there, somewhere" (unless, of course, if you're going for personal records or some such). I do like 29mm as well. I've had many a great flight on G's, plenty of oohs and ahhs from the crowd, you can see the rocket the whole time, they can't drift too far (I'm getting too old to chase them down...), and if the chute doesn't deploy, you get to see some pretty spectacular parabolic nose dives.

The J350 took it to about the limit of my vision. I stuck an I364 black jack in it, that was nice, could see the whole flight.