Rookie HPR mistakes

[Igotnothing]

After that incident I don't do that anymore.

Now, if only I could put my finger on all the things I am still doing, that I shouldn't. Or, why am I reading this thread.

 

[cerving]

Having your dual deploy rocket arch over and not deploy at apogee just to realize you forgot to arm the electronics on the pad which is then followed by watching in horror while it comes in ballistic. (Get and follow a checklist for every flight!)

Or having it come in ballistic because you "thought" there was powder in the wells... after all, there was an ematch and it was taped over, right?

 

[Orien]

This is turning into one of the most informative and educational threads ever on this forum. I'm literally taking notes. Thanks for the input, everyone!

 

[dr wogz]

doing everything perfectly! followed the checklist to the letter..

Then taking the rocket tot eh pad, pulling off the NC to turn on the JLCR, and alt. Then put back the NC.. Pride, proud, "this is gonna be a great flight!!" big cheezy smile!

3-2-1 lift off, superb flight... arcs over... full chute ejected at apogee.. and then a long walk...

rocketeer returns, and scratches head..

JLCR was activated, but not at the prescribed altitude. and the alt records a flight of 3'..

When arming the electronics, carefully put the NC back! (as to not build up pressure) And then don't bang & shake the rocket as you put it on the rail!

 

[OverTheTop]

Make a decent, thorough checklist and use it diligently. That way you won't look back at your rocket as you walk away from the pad and just happen to notice a bright red Remove Before Flight tag waving at you.

 

[tOD]

Make sure you close the quick link. I didn't learn the hard way, but it was certainly an eye opener. Main shook out at apogee, kept the slack on the open quick link. As soon as I picked it up after landing, a little rattle in the body tube and the shock cord fell out. Quick link is spread open. I keep it in my range box as a reminder, and kind of a cool "damn, that was close" story.

Oh, yeah. Actually just lost the payload section, AV bay, and nosecone of a DX3 to this mistake. Fortunately recovered the booster, Aeropak retainer and CTI case.

 

[Jmhepworth]

Failure to use a checklist. After forgetting to arm the altimeter on an Apogee Aspire with a plugged motor, I use a checklist almost religiously. It’s required for Level 3. When I assist local college students at the pad, I always ask where their checklist is. They occasionally have one, but it’s back at the prep table. I’ve been to a lot of launches, and I have yet to see anyone but me pull out a checklist and read it off. I especially like handing the list to someone else and have them read it off for me. Just writing this is a good reminder to myself that I need to use the checklist every time. Even for model rockets just to build the habit.

 

[Swany]

This is a very helpful and informative thread. I vote to make this a sticky. Capturing lessons learned like this in one spot is a great idea ! Here are my contributions:

1. Not checking for GPS receiver interference and/or other transmitters on same frequency prior to launch
2. Not fully appreciating the potential variability in motor delay grains
3. Using batteries with not enough rated capacity to fire ejection charges

 

[fyrechaser]

And one that I have done and seen others do as well. Forgetting to attach the quick link on the harness from the booster section to the av-bay in the payload section. Rocket arcs over and has a good apogee event and as you watch the two parts separate. They get farther and farther apart....then comes that sinking feeling as you realize that you didn't attach the quick link.
Another good argument for using a checklist!

 

[Glasspack]

How about forgetting to install the CTI Pro38 Motor into the Aluminum Casing BEFORE loading it into my Model.................
The day after my Cert Flight.......... at BONG Recreation area. VERY ROOKIE
I bet THAT is a mistake ..... a person ONLY MAKES ONCE !!

Here it is on a CTI PRO-38 H143 Smokey Sam WITHOUT the Motor Casing.............. Oops

 

[boatgeek]

And one that I have done and seen others do as well. Forgetting to attach the quick link on the harness from the booster section to the av-bay in the payload section. Rocket arcs over and has a good apogee event and as you watch the two parts separate. They get farther and farther apart....then comes that sinking feeling as you realize that you didn't attach the quick link.
Another good argument for using a checklist!

Don't feel bad--Boeing did the same thing on the pad abort test for Starliner!

 

[mtnmanak]

Probably the worst rookie mistake I have seen is not taking the advice of experienced Rocketeers at the field or, worse, actually arguing with the person that is going to do your cert.

Saw this at Red Glare this year. Watched this guy show up with a L1 rocket and had no clue what he was doing. Didn't understand motors (didn't even have a motor with him), didn't understand recovery, launch procedures, etc. The guy that was Certing him tried to give him all sorts of pointers and learning opportunities. Dude ignored all of them. After two failed igniters on the pad, the rocket finally launched... and crashed.

If you are new at this and ignore the helpful suggestions of the awesome people who have been doing this for years... well, I guess you can't save people from themselves.

 

[mtnmanak]

That and, as has been noted and to (mis)quote Napoleon and Patton, vent holes, vent holes, toujours vent holes.

 

[dr wogz]

doing all the prep, following the list, having a successful cert flight & many other flights.. Mighty proud & mighty happy!

But, feeling a little woozy on the way home.. and haven't pee'd since before you left..

Keep yourself hydrated! use sunscreen! wear a hat!

 

[downhill_D]

I now:
-hang my chutes when not in use
-double check o-rings in an rms kit(h220! I am looking at you!)
-pack dog barf on top of my powder well if there is no red cap and use my altimeters for backup (lost an rrc3 and tracker) in case the ejection charge well doesnt go.
-use my delay drill when sim results
recommended it
-have a written preflight protocol for all my rockets

 

[Dan Griffing]

Having your dual deploy rocket arch over and not deploy at apogee just to realize you forgot to arm the electronics on the pad which is then followed by watching in horror while it comes in ballistic. (Get and follow a checklist for every flight!)

Ouch!

That happened to me in April, although I’m a L2!

A checklist won’t execute itself to arm redundant dual deployment computers.

My CF laminated 54mm Peregrine turned into a lawn dart and only the bottom 12” fin can survived.

But a Peregrine rebuilt from the ashes successfully flew in May.

 

[tOD]

Having your dual deploy rocket arch over and not deploy at apogee just to realize you forgot to arm the electronics on the pad which is then followed by watching in horror while it comes in ballistic. (Get and follow a checklist for every flight!)

Or not turn on your Jolly Logic Chute Release, which I just did last Sunday

 

[tim cubbedge]

I have seen some of these “rookie” mistakes still made today by experienced flyers such as forgetting to attach harnesses to bulkhead/eye bolts.

 

[chilled]

On arming altimeters with the twist and tape method, accidentally getting some tape onto the body of the booster section... Drogue pops, and the wires get ripped out, cutting power to the altimeter.

 

[Zman1961]

Great thread. There are lots of posts mentioning checklists. Does anyone have one they would share? Thanks all!

 

[OverTheTop]

Attached. This is a relatively basic one and is nowhere near as detailed as some I have seen. The one from my university team for Spaceport America Cup was spectacularly detailed and well-written. This is important as the team members turnover at a reasonable rate and the detailed checklist really helps with preventing SNAFUs. I find the one I have attached is entirely adequate for my relatively straightforward dual-deploy Velociraptor.

Share and Enjoy

 

[Zman1961]

Thank you OverTheTop, very helpful and customizeable.

 

[OverTheTop]

Thank you OverTheTop, very helpful and customizeable.

No worries!

 

[plugger]

JB Weld is only for bonding metal components. Use it for that, and don't use it for anything else.

 

[chilled]

Great thread. There are lots of posts mentioning checklists. Does anyone have one they would share? Thanks all!

Here is a checklist I used for my L3, slightly modified for this thread to generalize a bit. I like to divide mine into a section for prep and a section for once on the pad:

Prep:

• Install fresh/charged batteries for each altimeter
• Install fresh/charged battery in tracker transmitter
• Connect wiring to ejection well terminals
• Assemble e-bay
• For each Main ejection well:
• Install igniter
• Measure and place BP in charge wells (dependent on rocket)
• Insert wadding as needed to fill well and tape shut with masking tape
• For each drogue ejection well:
• Install igniter
• Measure and place BP in charge wells
• Insert wadding as needed to fill well and tape shut with masking tape
• Pack drogue and insert after Nomex shield in booster. Confirm quick links secured
• Pack main and insert after Nomex shield in payload section. Confirm quick links secured.
• Assemble rocket
• Assemble motor
• Secure motor in rocket with motor retainer

On the pad:

• Arm electronics. Confirm each altimeter should beep twice every few seconds to indicate two charges connected. (every altimeter is different so ensure you know what to expect with yours)
• Insert igniter into motor and connect to leads
• Check continuity

 

[Sandy H.]

doing all the prep, following the list, having a successful cert flight & many other flights.. Mighty proud & mighty happy!

But, feeling a little woozy on the way home.. and haven't pee'd since before you left..

Keep yourself hydrated! use sunscreen! wear a hat!

Sage advice for any long-term outdoor event.

My launch/dehydration experience was pretty much the same. Got there around 10 (South Carolina in July/August), flew all day, drinking Gatorade after Gatorade, probably 6 or 8 total with nothing else to drink. On the way home around 7 felt odd and went in the house to wash-up and pee. I barely was able to pee and the color was undescribable. I knew I messed up.

Ever since then, I still bring Gatorade, but I drink 3 bottles of water to every Gatorade and if I notice I don't need to pee after a few hours, I drink another water or two while sitting in the shade.

Sandy.

 

[KenECoyote]

1) Bring sunscreen and aloe...you'll be spending a LOT more time in the sun if going HP vs. LP...set up, waiting for launch, march for recovery/retrieval/search for the needle in a haystack.
2) Remember the safety rules...don't arm until the rocket is straight up and ready to fly!
3) It's VERY easy to get distracted and sidetracked while up at the pads, so before you leave go through your checklist (again if needed). Make sure the rail is locked.
4) If things are rushed, just stop and go through things again slowly or just wait and fly another day when you're better prepared.
5) If it's windy, take extra time to set the angles...better yet, watch what others do/how other rockets fly before you launch.
6) Always check and confirm your electronics settings. If it's something you haven't used in a while, do the testing all over again just in case (arming, igniters, charges, etc.). It's very helpful if you create notes for each HP rocket if setups differ.
7) I'll echo the "use a tracker" suggestion...you're going big, don't make it a big loss.
8) Remember to have fun and enjoy watching other rockets...this is supposed to be safe and fun.
9) Make friends, learn from others, help others.

 

[Zman1961]

Here is a checklist I used for my L3, slightly modified for this thread to generalize a bit. I like to divide mine into a section for prep and a section for once on the pad:

Prep:

• Install fresh/charged batteries for each altimeter
• Install fresh/charged battery in tracker transmitter
• Connect wiring to ejection well terminals
• Assemble e-bay
• For each Main ejection well:
• Install igniter
• Measure and place BP in charge wells (dependent on rocket)
• Insert wadding as needed to fill well and tape shut with masking tape
• For each drogue ejection well:
• Install igniter
• Measure and place BP in charge wells
• Insert wadding as needed to fill well and tape shut with masking tape
• Pack drogue and insert after Nomex shield in booster. Confirm quick links secured
• Pack main and insert after Nomex shield in payload section. Confirm quick links secured.
• Assemble rocket
• Assemble motor
• Secure motor in rocket with motor retainer

On the pad:

• Arm electronics. Confirm each altimeter should beep twice every few seconds to indicate two charges connected. (every altimeter is different so ensure you know what to expect with yours)
• Insert igniter into motor and connect to leads
• Check continuity

More great assistance, thank you, gotta love TRF. It's the people people that turn a fun hobby into an obsession! I got my L1 and L2 with single deploy/motor eject rockets, and my current build is a dual deploy Darkstar 3, so this is all very helpful.

 

[Zman1961]

1) Bring sunscreen and aloe...you'll be spending a LOT more time in the sun if going HP vs. LP...set up, waiting for launch, march for recovery/retrieval/search for the needle in a haystack.
2) Remember the safety rules...don't arm until the rocket is straight up and ready to fly!
3) It's VERY easy to get distracted and sidetracked while up at the pads, so before you leave go through your checklist (again if needed). Make sure the rail is locked.
4) If things are rushed, just stop and go through things again slowly or just wait and fly another day when you're better prepared.
5) If it's windy, take extra time to set the angles...better yet, watch what others do/how other rockets fly before you launch.
6) Always check and confirm your electronics settings. If it's something you haven't used in a while, do the testing all over again just in case (arming, igniters, charges, etc.). It's very helpful if you create notes for each HP rocket if setups differ.
7) I'll echo the "use a tracker" suggestion...you're going big, don't make it a big loss.
8) Remember to have fun and enjoy watching other rockets...this is supposed to be safe and fun.
9) Make friends, learn from others, help others.

I especially agree with 8 an 9. That's what really keeps people coming back to launches, and keeps the hobby strong. I have learned enough from my fellow club members and TRF to assist others while I am continuing to have fun with what I am learning.

 

[MikeyDSlagle]

Rubber bands on the chute:
I've done this when folding and packing the laundry the night before. Better than fighting the chute in the inevitable wind. And yep, I've forgotten one on a chute as well. Luckily the rocket survived.

Once I have had my rocket on the rail before I realized I didn't have a motor in it.

Check rail buttons to ensure they are firmly attached...check again. Had one pull off while removing a rocket so I could install the motor that I had forgot at my pit area.

More than once I have made it to the pad with no starter, or screwdriver for avionics, or tape. Taping the starter to the airframe is common practice and I do that when I remember. I now use some sort of art tray that goes to the pad with me. It holds tape, sandpaper, screws, screwdrivers, and cutters.

There is a ton of small things I have noticed at the last minute;
JLCR not powered on
Electronics not powered on
No BP in charge wells
Recovery not connected or present