Ezi-65

I am beginning to think about my Level 1 rocket, and one that comes to mind is the LOC EZI-65. I want a 'BIG' rocket and this seems to fit the bill. Plus in my sims even with it weighing over 55 ounces (way more than it sould weigh) a G64 or G71 can put it up safetly on a 6 foot rail or rod and up to about 800ft.

One thing that confises me about it though, is that most people use it for Level 2. It seems way too light for a level 2 to me, being only < 3 lbs if built stock. Or I may just be unimformed about most level 1 and 2 rockets.

Do you think it is too heavy for a level one rocket? I also like the ultimate, but I figure I will get some info on the EZI-65 too.

Andrew

3 pounds is a tad on the lower end for L2 but not that bad. I know guys who put a J240 in an MD rocket that weighs 1.5lbs loaded!! I would go for it. Oh, and add some cluster MMT's
I think NAR needs to add a rule that certain BT's need to have a certain # of MMT's

Ben

There is a difference between a J420R in a 38mm MD rocket which is built with composites and designed for those speeds, and a stock kit, even a larger one, on the same load...

Anyways, the J420R would only push a MD rocket to about 1.6 mach, correct? That is not that fast... A J350 would probably have a higher speed...

I am building a bird this summer for the J570 and J825, and they both sim to about the same top speed and acceleration. The redlines burn flat (thrust curve is nuetral) so even with the higher average thrust, the kick of white lightning usually achieves higher speeds.

I did my L1 on an EZI-65. I fly mine on G, H, and Is.

I think it's a bit small for a L2 bird. Though it's perfect for a J90.

That would make a great bird, many are to heavy, for the J90...

Some of the "easier" loads like a 2 grain 54mm CTI smokey sam would probably be easy on it to...

But the J90 in the ezi would be beautiful and would be a very unique L2 compared to the generic J350 L2's that most (including my dad and I) go for.

The nice thing about the EZI 65 is that it comes with a lower section and an upper section. If you purchase an E-Bay, some 30' tubular nylon cords and hardware, you've got a 2-tube dual deploy scenario.

That's what makes it versatile enough to do L1 on an H210R, let's say, and L2 on a J350. For the 38mm MMT, I would purchase the Aeropack adapter kit and motor retainer (about $50? complete).

I'm guessing the final product would weigh about 7 lbs (?Loaded?) and would fly 2600 feet on a J350. I say this 'cause my PML Tethys (stretched / dual deploy) is very similar and did those kinds of flight stats with that motor.

I recently flew it with a J415 to 5,700 feet..... (no mach)

I used a modified to dual deploy EZI65 for both L1 and 2. Never had a problem.

I have flown it several times on 3, 4, 5, & 6 grain Pro38's. Never a problem. I have seen two of them shred on K motors. If you plan on flying K's you will need to beef it up.

... And, BTW, I would go right to the guy above (David Bachelder at Quickburst) to purchase those 30' tubular nylon recovery straps!!!!

Originally posted by dgreenapple
... And, BTW, I would go right to the guy above (David Bachelder at Quickburst) to purchase those 30' tubular nylon recovery straps!!!!

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Thank you.

Originally posted by dgreenapple
The nice thing about the EZI 65 is that it comes with a lower section and an upper section. If you purchase an E-Bay, some 30' tubular nylon cords and hardware, you've got a 2-tube dual deploy scenario.

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Another nice thing is that the shape of the fins makes the EZI-65 very durable. Mine's suffered a hard landing and a dramatic drag separation event with just minor paint damage.

I used an EZI-65 for my Level 1 (see: https://www.payloadbay.com/article-level-1-certification-1.html). I over-built it by fiberglassing the tubes and upgrading the recovery system.

I've built an electronic bay for it an preparation for a Level 2 flight, but other projects have pulled me away for now.

I've also used my EZI-65 to carry a video camera (see: https://www.payloadbay.com/article-upscale-cineroc-takes-flight.html).

-- Roger

Well, it looks like I will be going with the EZI-65. So you think I should switch out the shock cord for tubular nylon? How much extra weight does that usually add?

Originally posted by Vicious-Peanut
Well, it looks like I will be going with the EZI-65. So you think I should switch out the shock cord for tubular nylon? How much extra weight does that usually add?

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I'd recommend using something like tubular nylon instead of the elastic nylon one. I added a "Fireball" zipper preventer from Giant Leap Rocketry, but still used the stock shock cord. But I'm going to swap it out for a length of tubular nylon since it's showing some signs of wear.

The difference in weight should only be a few ounces. In my case, the addition of the Fireball and a larger 'chute added more weight than replacing the shock cord will.

I tied the cord from the Fireball around the motor mount behind the forward centering ring and glued it to the tube. It's no going anywhere. But, if I had to do it again, I'd used some steel wire for the first few inches then attach tubular nylon or the Fireball to that. Be sure to add a shock cord protector (such as a sleeve of Kevlar) over the shock cord near the motor to protect it from the ejection charge.

The EZI-65 is 4" in diameter and you can reach into it if necessary, so you might as well make the shock cord replaceable by using a Quicklink to attach it to the steel wire.

-- Roger

I would definately change out the shock cord for TN. I assume the stock cord will be elastic which, as they say, is for your underwear not high power rocketry
I'm not sure how much weight it will add. If I was at home I could weigh a length but I'm not. It might be an issue when flying G or low thrust H motors but should be no problem with an I or J motor.

Originally posted by SoCal Mad Matt
I'm not sure how much weight it will add. If I was at home I could weigh a length but I'm not. It might be an issue when flying G or low thrust H motors but should be no problem with an I or J motor.

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Agreed ... I don't know the exact weight, but my EZI-65 is much heavier than stock due to fiberglassing the tubes and adding a better recovery system (not to mention eight layers of paint). Even with a video camera as payload, it flies well on a range of H motors - I especially like it on Aerotech's H128W and H268R motors. An I200W looks great and the rocket goes just a bit higher than it does on an H268.

I'm sure it's too heavy for a G motor, though.

-- Roger

Well, I wont be fiberglassing and even if it comes out over 3. lbs a G64/G71 should get it up safetly on a 6 foot rail/rod and up to 800 feet.

I did my L2 in this bird with a J90. It was a beautiful flight. Then I glassed the fins tip to tip and flew it on a J350. Another Beautiful Flight. I have never weighed it but I am guessing it weighs about 4-5 lbs.

Craig C.

Having once owned an EZI-65, and having built it stock, I can tell you that a G64 is the absolute minimum motor to fly it on. That's seriously pushing the thrust:weight ratio. The G71 will work better.

If you build the airframe stock [i.e. no fiberglassing, etc], it should hold together fine with most any motor up to a full impulse I, and some J's. J90, yes. J415, don't count on it.

J415 on a "stock" EZI-65? I'm thinking 6,500 feet AGL, and that would be flying it single deploy...

That sounds like good fun if you live in a desert or the Plains of the Midwest? But anywhere else, I would make it dual deploy, use little or no drogue and pop the Main at 700 feet or less.

A J415 will take the fins off a stock EZI. The shape of the fins is prone to flutter if not glassed. This rocket was specifically designed for long burn 54 mm motors. A layer of glass tip to tip or replacement of the fins with G-10 will allow the use of a J415.

Neeexxt questiooon - Should I tip to tip the fins? Or can they handle a I3xx stock as that is the biggest it will be seeing.

Originally posted by Rocketjunkie
A J415 will take the fins off a stock EZI. The shape of the fins is prone to flutter if not glassed. This rocket was specifically designed for long burn 54 mm motors. A layer of glass tip to tip or replacement of the fins with G-10 will allow the use of a J415.

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I glassed my fins on my ezi65 and it still ripped off the fins. I really dont recommend flying it on a K1275. It ripped apart one and a half seconds into the flight and the altimeter, which survived, recorded 1700 f/s (~1150mph) which I call a spectacular failure. I hope everyone learns from my mistake.

On fiberglassing tip-to-tip.

Gut feeling opinion: If you're flying with I364FJ, I200W, H268R, fiberglassing may not be necessary. But an I600R might need it (apologies to Loki, Animal and Cesaroni for the Aerotech bias). For "I" motors, it's mostly about how much Peak & Average thrust you'll be hitting it with.

More personal opinion: Use the opportunity to overbuild and learn how to fiberglass tip-to-tip so that you've got the skills when you build a rocket for big motors like K1275, where you'll have to fiberglass (1) fins individually, (2) body tubes and (3) fins tip-to-tip!

On an old .39 video of LDRS Ron Shultz (founder of LotsOfCrafts/Precision) talks about motors for the EZI-65. It was designed for the Aerotech I-65 (duh). Lots of flyers were using the (then new) J125. The plywood on the fins delaminated causing much destruction. So he suggested put a layer of fiberglass on the leading edge of the fins.

Ya, I think I will do a layer of 6 oz then a layer of 4.5 oz and maybe a viel of 1 oz only on the fins though. It might not be able to fly on G's then, but I wont have to worry about it shredding on big I's.

Hey there Peanut!
Go For an H !!!
I certed with my EZI on a small H (123 I think) motor (long before I had any idea what I was doing) with perfect results. Hit the search button for EZI-65 and you'll find lots more discussion. There are some great pics of a red, white & blue bird on the"Stlouisrocketry.org" web gallery. I flew on H after H and then a few I285s with great results and no fin damage. With a final "deployment failure", (when I dug it out of the pit), the fin can was and is still in perfect condition!!!
...also search for "monster filet"...
DR DON