Dual deploy/chute release... What is your criteria??

I understand the general purpose, but I want to know:
When do YOU choose one of these methods?

What altitude is your ceiling for regular deployment?

Or is it just field size for you? Etc

I only use chute release if the motor delay is long enough for that flight. If delay goes off before apogee, time for DD. I have flown rockets to 4-5,000 feet with chute release using motor eject but they had long enough delays.

For me it comes down to capability of the rocket. I fly DD on all my rockets that are able. Altitude is not a consideration but I at least fly to 2000 feet on all flights.

I’ve considered modifying my single deploy rockets but still like using chute release. Save the money for another rocket.

Steveo said:

For me it comes down to capability of the rocket. I fly DD on all my rockets that are able. Altitude is not a consideration but I at least fly to 2000 feet on all flights.

I’ve considered modifying my single deploy rockets but still like using chute release. Save the money for another rocket.

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I'm with you. All DD-capable rockets get DD every time. It is far more fun for me when I get to prep charges, etc. Non-DD capable rockets only get flown when field and weather permit.

Of course, I fly a lot of big rockets with plugged motors, so that is a factor.

If it is DD capable, it flies DD, no matter the altitude. Unless of course the max altitude is lower than the altimeters capabilities.
If it is single break it gets a JLCR. Most of my rockets rely on electronics at apogee anyway, even single break short stubbies. I have one regular flyer that uses motor eject and that is my Big Daddy, it gets a JLCR even going up on a D12.

I use redundant DD on all high power flights. Drogue chute at apogee and apogee + 1 second; main chute at (typically) 700’ and 500’. The main attitudes may be higher if the field size is large enough for the higher expected apogee altitudes.

I use JLCR on mid power flights on smaller fields.

Other than "mini" size rockets that don't have room for DD, I use it on everything...just don't like wasting time and long walks getting stuff back. Now if ya live out west and fly on lake beds where ya can drive to rocket for recovery, then it matters not.
I live on east coast and wandering around in the tooley weeds is not my idea of fun.

Rough rules, though there are exceptions:

Chute release on everything that fits (38mm tube and above).
Altimeter controlled DD where required (VMax/Warp 9) or if the main chute is more than 36".

I would DD all the time if I could. I just happen to buy rockets at faster rate than I buy altimeters, so most of mine aren't capable. I've dual-deployed at less than 1000 feet.

I'm tempted to use a chute release on my first mid power due to a small-ish launch site. The only time I've hit 1k feet it landed in a tree and this rocket is capable of 2k and considerably more expensive than a little estes.
Just curious when others decide to make the jump to DD.

2500 ft is my upper limit for motor eject single apogee deploy field dependent have done it many times. Drifts 1/8-1/4 mile with winds under ten mph. Beyond that it needs serious tracker and I lean towards dual deploy etc. Have done multistage Min diameter single deploy at apogee at 11,500ft with tracker and drift was absurd at 1.4 miles. It was for a university comp, and yes it landed in a swamp. On my personal L2 rocket I decided to do Dual deploy and it’s going 7500 ft plus on a J.

Here’s the real kicker compare 1/4 mile drift from 22,500 ft plus with dual deploy. That alone is why dual deploy is so cool.

Dual deploy on all HPR capable rockets. Plugged forward closures on the motors if possible. This eliminates a failure mode that's more likely than an altimeter failure.

Dual deploy is the way to go whenever possible. Engine deployment is inaccurate. It's hard to hit apogee exactly. DD altimeters are much more accurate and (in my opinion) more reliable. If your rocket is big enough to kill someone (for sure 4" and larger) always fly with full redundancy (two DD altimeters each with their own power supply and their own BP charges).

I like chute release on a lot of my midsize rockets that were prone to zippering. Now the chute is bundled, a bad delay choice doesn't matter, and I'm saved a walk.

DD is for anything above 4-5000 feet.

Dual deploy AND tracker for flying just about everything at Richard Bong State Rec Area (WOOSH). There are just too many hazards!

I converted my 3" LOC Caliber ISP to dual deployment. I was tired of the long walks to retrieve it when the main chute deployed at apogee. I usually put it up to around 2500'. Now I have my altimeter deploy the drogue at apogee and the main chute around 500', maybe 400' if it is windy. Now if everything works correctly I have a 100' walk from the launch rail to get my Caliber back.

dpower said:

Dual deploy AND tracker for flying just about everything at Richard Bong State Rec Area (WOOSH). There are just too many hazards!

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I've walked through the swamps at Bong to retrieve rockets. Yes, there are hazards.

Greg Furtman said:

I've walked through the swamps at Bong to retrieve rockets. Yes, there are hazards.

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Ah, the legendary rocket-eating swamp at Bong. The first rocket I launched there I lost in the swamp. The worst / best part was I was out there looking for my rocket and ran into another person looking for his rocket. We both gave up.

Now that I have a GPS tracker it's just a habit to use it -- almost can't imagine flying without the GPS tracker even in the open field launches. Sooo much easier to walk right to your rocket.

But back on topic - I use the JLCR in any rocket into which it will fit. I can squeeze it into a LOC 1.6" tube with careful packing of the chute, so everything from 1.6" up gets the JLCR. I think the minimum altitude for use is 200' agl so I've not run into a situation where it wasn't usable due to altitude.

To answer the original question, about 2000' is my personal max altitude for single deploy. In most high power flights, I utilize dual deployment. In most cases, that means traditional avionics bays containing altimeter(s) deploying a drogue at apogee and a main at 1000' or lower. With older rockets, those designed for single deploy, or windier days, I'll often use the JLCR.

ChicagoDave said:

Ah, the legendary rocket-eating swamp at Bong. The first rocket I launched there I lost in the swamp. The worst / best part was I was out there looking for my rocket and ran into another person looking for his rocket. We both gave up.

Now that I have a GPS tracker it's just a habit to use it -- almost can't imagine flying without the GPS tracker even in the open field launches. Sooo much easier to walk right to your rocket.

But back on topic - I use the JLCR in any rocket into which it will fit. I can squeeze it into a LOC 1.6" tube with careful packing of the chute, so everything from 1.6" up gets the JLCR. I think the minimum altitude for use is 200' agl so I've not run into a situation where it wasn't usable due to altitude.

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Greg Furtman said:

I've walked through the swamps at Bong to retrieve rockets. Yes, there are hazards.

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Dave and Greg...the best time of the year for Bong flying is in the winter months. All the water is frozen, weeds and killer bushes are dormant or dead, leaves are missing from trees making visibility significantly better, there are no ticks, spiders, or bong water flesh eating bugs, etc. Honestly, Jan-March is my favorite time of year to fly at Bong. April through June is still good. You won't see as much of me there July-September!

ECayemberg said:

Dave and Greg...the best time of the year for Bong flying is in the winter months. All the water is frozen, weeds and killer bushes are dormant or dead, leaves are missing from trees making visibility significantly better, there are no ticks, spiders, or bong water flesh eating bugs, etc. Honestly, Jan-March is my favorite time of year to fly at Bong. April through June is still good. You won't see as much of me there July-September!

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Eric, do you live near Bong? Do you know Frank Nobile?

With regards to Bong fliers, I think the use of DD must have gone up a lot about 15 years ago. We find far fewer rockets in the orchard these days.

Greg Furtman said:

Eric, do you live near Bong? Do you know Frank Nobile?

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Kinda and definitely.

I live up Nort' in Manitowoc, Wi. But Bong has been my home field for high power for a few years...back to '96.

I know Frank and the Nobile clan well...lots of good times with Frank and the crew!

Greg Furtman said:

Eric, do you live near Bong? Do you know Frank Nobile?

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Everyone knows Frank. He's awesome. And you have to mention the maker of the best sparkie motor, his son Preston. Preston is now the owner of Top Flight Recovery.

jd2cylman said:

Everyone knows Frank. He's awesome. And you have to mention the maker of the best sparkie motor, his son Preston. Preston is now the owner of Top Flight Recovery.

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I emailed Top Flight Recovery about their small lightweight chutes & winter temps for LPRs. Plastic chutes just get to stiff to open when it's cold.

Preston emailed me back & I noticed his last name. I emailed him back & asked if he was related to Frank. Got the reply "He's my Dad." I emailed Frank & said obviously the nut doesn't fall very far from the tree.