Engine choice scratch build L1

[SmurfTacoSupreme]

@Jacktango22 How's the build progressing?

 

[Banzai88]

The whole point of L1 is to get to L2. L2 is where you’re able to learn a lot about Dual Deployment, Telemetry, Downlink, Recovery. Also using the same rocket and motor diameter you can say money to spend on electronics and more sophisticated rockets.

NOTHING that you list there is unique to L2 or L1 for that matter. Many of us were doing all of that in LP and MP birds well before we had our L1!

 

[cls]

The whole point of L1 is to get to L2. L2 is where you’re able to learn a lot about Dual Deployment, Telemetry, Downlink, Recovery. Also using the same rocket and motor diameter you can say money to spend on electronics and more sophisticated rockets.

Bzzzzt, wrong.

If you need to save $, this is the wrong hobby for you.

And, why save a few $$ on the rocket, and then spend hundreds of $$$$ on all that sophisticated electronics?

And, what's your hurry? L1 is not just a step to blow through.

This is not a series of badges for you to collect.

Why not enjoy the opportunity to learn at every step?

Last, others pointed out above, we were already doing all those things without HPR. Nothing you mentioned specifically requires HPR.

It's the journey, not the destination, enjoy the trip.

 

[mccordmw]

If you're planning on the H135 in a scratch rocket, before drilling a delay, you should model this in OpenRocket. It should give you the estimated time to apogee that you can then drill to. I'd hate to see you drill something too short and have the chute pop out while still travelling really fast.

Once you go scratch, simming in OpenRocket is really a good idea.

 

[Buster]

correction 38 mm to 29 mm adapter

Bzzzzt, wrong.

If you need to save $, this is the wrong hobby for you.

And, why save a few $$ on the rocket, and then spend hundreds of $$$$ on all that sophisticated electronics?

And, what's your hurry? L1 is not just a step to blow through.

This is not a series of badges for you to collect.

Why not enjoy the opportunity to learn at every step?

Last, others pointed out above, we were already doing all those things without HPR. Nothing you mentioned specifically requires HPR.

It's the journey, not the destination, enjoy the trip.

Agree that the trick is to enjoy the ride.

 

[Voyager1]

The whole point of L1 is to get to L2. L2 is where you’re able to learn a lot about Dual Deployment, Telemetry, Downlink, Recovery. Also using the same rocket and motor diameter you can say money to spend on electronics and more sophisticated rockets.

I respectfully disagree with this.
As others have said, you can experience all of this with rockets using mid power motors.
Building (Edit: ... and flying ... ) separate rockets as you progress through the levels also provides valuable experience.

 

[MikeT]

"It's the journey, not the destination, enjoy the trip." Well said.

 

[Handeman]

Building separate rockets as you progress through the levels also provides valuable experience.

I totally agree with this. Not just building, but flying them will teach you so much.

Thinking as an east coast flier on the low waiver east coast fields, I think a good L1 cert rocket is going to be 3 - 5 lbs. and have a 38mm MMT. The diameter can be 2" to +4" depending on the waiver at your local field.

I think the biggest mistake (probably not the right term) most fliers make when deciding on what to build for their L1 is not considering the power range of the L1 motors. From baby E at 20.01 Ns to a max G at 160 Ns, that whole range of power is only 140 Ns. The full range of H motors is more than that. When you include I motors, the baby H to full I is 480 Ns, almost 3 1/2 times what the full MPR range is. Because they really don't have a feel for that amount of power in L1, they tend to think building a "big" MPR rocket with a 29mm MMT that they can test fly on a G motor is going to be a good L1 rocket. It will work for a cert, but they will soon find out it is really lacking if they want to explore the range of motors available in the L1 range.

My advice, to the OP in this case, is to build a rocket that can handle the H and I motors (run sims) within the waiver at your local field and don't worry about doing a shakedown flight on a G motor. Every rocket has a first flight and if it's a L1 rocket, there is nothing wrong with it's first flight being on a L1 motor.

 

[Black Bart]

Handeman is right. SIM your rocket and run motors that fit your field. don't over complicate your L-1.
H 100W single use AT. Low and slow and enjoy the show.

 

[Jacktango22]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and thoughts. Will process this information as I proceed. The great part of being retired (I now realize) is that there is no rush so I can proceed very slowly.

 

[thzero]

As someone yet to achieve their L1, but an enthusiast, I would respectfully disagree. None of the 'objectives' you've mentioned need be the exclusive 'domain' of L2 rocketry. I've built and flown a MPR equivalent of a 2.6" Darkstar, constructed using Estes PS II 2.5" airframe components that is my 'dual deployment test-bed', allowing me to explore that aspect of the hobby. It would be no issue at all to fabricate a bay in the nose cone of same to install a tracker of one sort or another...

Absolutely