VonMises
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- Apr 14, 2013
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Did you ever have a Wile E. Coyote moment?
I like to start of by mentioning that the particular rocket in question has never had a successful flight. On it’s maiden flight, the shock cord attach point on the nose cone failed. The chute returned the offending nose cone, while the airframe miraculously tumbled to a safe “landing.” No damage other than a few scuffs.
Repairs and a year later, my daughter decides to launch this particular pending disaster at TS 4. High winds and an Estes E engine don’t play well in a chubby Max. Immediately on liftoff, Max turned into the wind and stuffed it’s nose into the soft dirt.
Then it happened.
A vision of Wile E. Coyote with a grandiose plan involving an Acme rocket pack, Acme parachute, and a Road Runner popped into my head. I could see Mr. Coyote, leaping majestically into the air only to have the rocket pack drill him into a hole at which point the rocket burns out and the parachute deploys only after a short pause that quantifies comedic timing.
Although only the nose was stuck into the soft Indiana field, the tail stuck nearly straight up with engine running, burnout, short pause, then “POOF” the body tube pops up and the chute deploys.
I had to laugh, even though the daughter didn’t think it was so funny.
Was this the end of Max? Heavens no. Poor old Max was subjected to yet another torture test delivered by my well intentioned teenager. This time it was on a CTI V-Max something-or-other. Since the chute popped just before the body collided with the earth. I suppose this one was technically a success. This, and we were able to walk away. Althought Max managed to escape damage yet again, the day wasn't over.
By now, it devolved into a test of wills between a Max that refused to fly, and an equally stubborn teenage girl determined to force her resolve upon said Max. This time she chose the most powerful Aerotech that could be stuffed into same space previously occupied by an Estes E.
Finally, everything went according to plan. Record so far: three crashes, one success. Still, Max will live to fly another day, we learned a great deal about launching in high wind, and we had a great time.
I like to start of by mentioning that the particular rocket in question has never had a successful flight. On it’s maiden flight, the shock cord attach point on the nose cone failed. The chute returned the offending nose cone, while the airframe miraculously tumbled to a safe “landing.” No damage other than a few scuffs.
Repairs and a year later, my daughter decides to launch this particular pending disaster at TS 4. High winds and an Estes E engine don’t play well in a chubby Max. Immediately on liftoff, Max turned into the wind and stuffed it’s nose into the soft dirt.
Then it happened.
A vision of Wile E. Coyote with a grandiose plan involving an Acme rocket pack, Acme parachute, and a Road Runner popped into my head. I could see Mr. Coyote, leaping majestically into the air only to have the rocket pack drill him into a hole at which point the rocket burns out and the parachute deploys only after a short pause that quantifies comedic timing.
Although only the nose was stuck into the soft Indiana field, the tail stuck nearly straight up with engine running, burnout, short pause, then “POOF” the body tube pops up and the chute deploys.
I had to laugh, even though the daughter didn’t think it was so funny.
Was this the end of Max? Heavens no. Poor old Max was subjected to yet another torture test delivered by my well intentioned teenager. This time it was on a CTI V-Max something-or-other. Since the chute popped just before the body collided with the earth. I suppose this one was technically a success. This, and we were able to walk away. Althought Max managed to escape damage yet again, the day wasn't over.
By now, it devolved into a test of wills between a Max that refused to fly, and an equally stubborn teenage girl determined to force her resolve upon said Max. This time she chose the most powerful Aerotech that could be stuffed into same space previously occupied by an Estes E.
Finally, everything went according to plan. Record so far: three crashes, one success. Still, Max will live to fly another day, we learned a great deal about launching in high wind, and we had a great time.
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