dwightr
TRA 18787
I've been flying and building for a while now but I've never done a build thread. I decided it was time to share what I'm working on and get some outside the box comments and suggestions. I did my L1 certification with an Apogee Zephyr on an Aerotech SU H135. I've since modified it for dual deployment and I plan to use it for an L2 attempt this fall when the high power season resumes in Eastern North Carolina. Right now I'm just enjoying low power flying in local fields with my kids.
I love building, probably more than flying, so I have decided it's time to try something a little more advanced both in terms of building skills and performance.
I'm planning to build a 38 mm minimum diameter rocket with carbon fiber sleeve over LOC paper tube, fiberglass nosecone, G10 fins with CF tip to tip. My design choices were influenced by (1) wanting to gain some experience with carbon fiber without breaking the bank (2) high performance for winter flying at Bayboro on 38mm 6 grain motor (3) light enough for waiver free summer flying with a 29mm adapter and a G80 motor.
I started to accumulate some of the building supplies and ordered 38mm LOC tube, 29mm tube and a fiberglass nosecone from Ken at Performance Hobbies.
My build plan is reversed from the way I've always done things. I'm planning to build the nose cone first. I'm installing 1000lb Kevlar for recovery and then a piece of 29mm tube inside the nosecone to house a GPS tracker, probably an Eggtimer. Next I'm going to build the avionics bay to house a RRC2+ altimeter. Then I'm going to epoxy laminate the carbon fiber sleeve on a full length piece of LOC body tube. Once these parts are fabricated I'll have accurate weights to put into Open Rocket to adjust fin size and parachute sizes. Then I'll get the chutes and protectors, pack them and determine the minimum lengths for the upper and lower body tubes. Once body tube length is finalized, back to open rocket to finalize fin design, a clipped delta shape made from 1/16" G10, based on my best estimates on the weight of fillets and tip to tip.
I'm planning on sizing the fins for 2.5 calibers of margin throughout the flight envelope.
Early simulations look like about M.55 and 3000' on an Aerotech SU G80.
Eventually working up to about M1.7 and 11,000' on a CTI J330.
Looking forward to everyone's thoughts and concerns.
I love building, probably more than flying, so I have decided it's time to try something a little more advanced both in terms of building skills and performance.
I'm planning to build a 38 mm minimum diameter rocket with carbon fiber sleeve over LOC paper tube, fiberglass nosecone, G10 fins with CF tip to tip. My design choices were influenced by (1) wanting to gain some experience with carbon fiber without breaking the bank (2) high performance for winter flying at Bayboro on 38mm 6 grain motor (3) light enough for waiver free summer flying with a 29mm adapter and a G80 motor.
I started to accumulate some of the building supplies and ordered 38mm LOC tube, 29mm tube and a fiberglass nosecone from Ken at Performance Hobbies.
My build plan is reversed from the way I've always done things. I'm planning to build the nose cone first. I'm installing 1000lb Kevlar for recovery and then a piece of 29mm tube inside the nosecone to house a GPS tracker, probably an Eggtimer. Next I'm going to build the avionics bay to house a RRC2+ altimeter. Then I'm going to epoxy laminate the carbon fiber sleeve on a full length piece of LOC body tube. Once these parts are fabricated I'll have accurate weights to put into Open Rocket to adjust fin size and parachute sizes. Then I'll get the chutes and protectors, pack them and determine the minimum lengths for the upper and lower body tubes. Once body tube length is finalized, back to open rocket to finalize fin design, a clipped delta shape made from 1/16" G10, based on my best estimates on the weight of fillets and tip to tip.
I'm planning on sizing the fins for 2.5 calibers of margin throughout the flight envelope.
Early simulations look like about M.55 and 3000' on an Aerotech SU G80.
Eventually working up to about M1.7 and 11,000' on a CTI J330.
Looking forward to everyone's thoughts and concerns.