Aerotech Rockets on small fields with Estes 29mm BP E and F motors???

I own two Strong Arms, one Wart Hog and one HV Arcas. I was thinking about using some Estes E16-4 BP motors on these rockets on small fields, has anyone else done this with good success? They all were built on the light side, no extra weight outside of factory instructions. I noticed that the HV can be flown with E15W 24mm engines, so I was wondering about the Estes E16-4?


Thank you!

The E15's peak thrust is 9 newtons more than the E16. The E16 is also 34 g heavier and has 7 newton/sec less than the E15.

That being said, you can always look to open rocket or rocksim to get the right results.

I am looking at the Jolly Logic chute release for the same reasons.

A bit pricey but way cool...

I just got my SA and flew it literally in my back yard on an Estes F15-6. I wouldn't go any lower. Chute popped out about 30' above the ground.

There are only a few of the AeroTech kits I would recommend flying with the Estes E16/F15 BP motors.

The Mustang, Cheetah, Arreaux and (maybe) the IQSY Tomahawk are the only AeroTech kits with the Estes F15 motors I think would work.
All the other AeroTech kits are too big/heavy/draggy for the large Estes BP motors.

At the 2013 NSL I was given some of the early Estes E16/F15 motors to fly.
The F15-6 made a fine motor for the Arreaux kit.

I've flown a Mustang on the E16/F15, and it flies pretty well. I've seen an Initiator flown on a E16/F15, and while it flew OK, it was quite slow off the rod, so I wouldn't recommend except on zero wind days.

I once wrote, halfway jokingly, that the maximum weight without motor for the F15 is 16.000 oz. ... that may not be the exact number but it is in the range where even an additional .1 oz. makes a big difference. Don't mistakingly think only 2-4 oz. more isn't that much. Estes now has the Pana<script id="gpt-impl-0.10424819771391519" src="https://partner.googleadservices.com/gpt/pubads_impl_80.js"></script>via which is only 14 oz. and obviously aimed at being a better PS2 builder kit for their motors. Even that should use a 6' rod and you should have more space to launch than for a higher thrust motor. 16 oz. is also about the limit for the more available F15-6 ejecting before hitting the ground, and any rocket in this range is better off with the -4's . For those rockets, an E20 might work, the E30 definitely would (24 mm).

You can just use an adapter to fly the 24mm composite motors, which generate more thrust, as noted by TRFan.
The E15 and E20 are pretty much identical, but the E20-4 can usually be had in packs of 2 for under $15 on Amazon.
You can make your own adapter or get one of the Estes ones.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TKBN3EA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Honestly, I can't stand Estes E's or F's. I have had lot of inconsistent performance with those motors and they just don't lift enough weight in my opinion. My students were itching to use them but it was more cost effective to go AeroTech and boy.... did those rockets ever fly! We had a few fins shreds. Just did a 68 gram rocket on an AeroTech E30 ---- that was fun!
:smile:

Flash said:

I own two Strong Arms, one Wart Hog and one HV Arcas. I was thinking about using some Estes E16-4 BP motors on these rockets on small fields, has anyone else done this with good success? They all were built on the light side, no extra weight outside of factory instructions. I noticed that the HV can be flown with E15W 24mm engines, so I was wondering about the Estes E16-4?

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Estes lists the E16-4 as having a max liftoff weight of 20oz. (rocket loaded and ready to fly) and has a max thrust of 26.44N, which looks like it would just be enough for the Strong Arm (assuming no wind and no rod binding); not enough for the Arcas and good enough for the Warthog. However since you're really pushing the lower limit here, I wouldn't recommend it without research and even then, it's at your own risk. You may very well get ejection near/at ground level and delay times aren't really known to be that precise. YMMV

Here is a link to the Aerotech rocket catalog which also lists suggested motors for each rocket (note catalog is very old, but it's still a useful reference): https://www.aerotech-rocketry.com/u...4604-8ab9-5d77c22a4976_AT Catalog Updated.pdf. The Warthog lists motors as low as an E11-3J; however that is an AP reload.

I personally like to check RocketReviews' flight logs on more common rockets to read other's experience with different motors. For the Warthog, at least one person said flight was "good" on an E16-4: https://www.rocketreviews.com/wart-hog---aerotech-89018-1992-.html

Good luck!

I draw the line at the Estes D12-5. Above that, I think the BP motors are too heavy and too wimpy. I think the other way - fly Estes kits on Aerotech motors!

I'm a big fan of the E30T when you have a sturdy rocket like these AeroTechs and you want to keep it fairly low. It's 24mm, but easy to adapt when necessary.

midpower_madness said:

Honestly, I can't stand Estes E's or F's. I have had lot of inconsistent performance with those motors and they just don't lift enough weight in my opinion. My students were itching to use them but it was more cost effective to go AeroTech and boy.... did those rockets ever fly! We had a few fins shreds. Just did a 68 gram rocket on an AeroTech E30 ---- that was fun!
:smile:

Click to expand...

I actually do like the BP F's quite a bit, but I think it's a matter of putting it in the right rocket. I launched my Rocketarium Turbo Vortico 3 times on F15-0's this year and they were FANTASTIC. The watchers sure seems to love them! Also just flew an Estes PSII Majestic on an F15-6 and really loved the boost... will be flying more BP F's this year since I can get them locally with a 40% off coupon and don't have to worry about shipping or hazmat.

While I do appreciate a neck-snapping zip-away launch (have launched my Punisher on Vmax motors last year), I enjoy the smokey loud and slow lift-offs more...almost like a NASA launch vs. a teleport. YMMV