Frustrated by Aerotech missing o-ring - couldn't do my L1 cert flight today.

[AeroTech]

Yes, there's a "view worth the climb" question here. While I've already spend $200 on getting my Aerotech motor to work, the "sunk cost" decision analytics rule would tell me to ignore that and to do whatever costs least from where I stand right now. That is, buy another case or an SU motor or a Cesaroni case and motor. If I could find one, the H169 SU is only $46.99. But hazmat shipping costs $80 from Aerotech! Anyone in the Philly or Baltimore area know of a source? My targetted launch date is July 29th, for my L1 cert.

Even if I get an SU for my cert flight, I'd like to get value for the money I've spent. The customer facing guy at AeroTech apparently does not have enough organizational juice to approve sending a $10 part, so I'm waiting for his warranty manager to sign off. If that doesn't happen Monday or Tuesday, I'll order some 25mm od x 23.6 mm id aluminum and turn off the part on my lathe Q: Can anyone give me the exact length of the extended (longer) spacer from the RMS-29 reload adapter kit?. But the tubing comes from China and may take a couple of weeks so I won't have before the July 29th launch date.

I can say that waiting two weeks to hear back from AT management is not making me happy with Aerotech. This may just be a weird case for them, but this length of delay, for a $10 part, makes Aerotech look ridiculous and CTI look better and better.

/rant

I spoke with Karl and he said it will be taken care of tomorrow.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

Thanks, Aerotech. I'll PM my address and contact info to you. I understand one of the managers in your area was sick - I hope that he is recovered.

I'm excited about using my RMS-29 motor in my L1 cert attempt.

On Edit: PM sent.

 

[cbrarick]

Alas, it's about a 4 hour drive from CT to where I live, west of Philly. But out of curiosity, do you have anything in the low H range? I'm launching a Madcow Super DX3 (about 4kg) and want the launch to be low.

I have a pretty amazing amount of CTI 24 mm F's thru 54 L's How far is METRA from you? (Pine island, NY)

 

[Papa Elf]

I have a pretty amazing amount of CTI 24 mm F's thru 54 L's How far is METRA from you? (Pine island, NY)

If you ever take rt 15 through Lewisburg, PA let me know. Maybe we could meet up so I could get a couple CTI loads and save some shipping (assuming the timing works where I have the money)

 

[cbrarick]

can't imagine why I'd be over there with my trailer. However, METRA is 2 hours from you, and that's almost exactly in the middle between us

 

[Papa Elf]

Actually its 3 hours. Doesn't hurt asking

 

[-Slick-Ice]

Interesting, they got rid of the long spacer in the 29mm RAS? I looked and mine does have it but I have never used it. Wonder why it was also a different material.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

I reached out to Aerotech to check about using 180 motors with a 360 case and the reload adapter kit (this would be all three spacers).
As others have pointed out, Aerotech confirms that this combo is NOT certified for use. So the 360 case plus the reload kit allows you only to use 360 and 240 size motors.
Apogee has a chart indicating that you can use 180 motors. I'm writing them to suggest that they change that chart.
Hope that this is useful info.

I did a mashup of Aerotech drawings that shows that the three spacers would be too short in any case. Not an official Aerotech drawing.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

Just to compllete the story, today I got a package from AeroTech. The required spacer, along with other things (e.g. orings) that could be used to put the motor together. I took the motor apart (it had two short spacers), cleaned the thing very thoroughly, and reassembled it using the extended spacer and no seal disk. It seems very much good to go now.

Much appreciate the help from AeroTech. Ian, Gary, Karl -- much obliged.

A picture of what I received and the package it came in - I guess when one ships rocket motors, a lot of paperwork and packing are required. Much appreciated, guys.

 

[Art Upton]

, cleaned the thing very thoroughly, and reassembled it using the extended spacer and no seal disk. It seems very much good to go now.

If you never fired the motor, what needed cleaning thoroughly ?
Just curious.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

I had taken it apart and reassembled it so many times, trying to figure out why I didn't have the spacers right, that the delay cartridge slid out a little. I had to pull it out completely and some of the BP spilled. I wanted to get any residual BP that might have been in the threads or other places it shouldn't be.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

The other answer, Art, is "What? You don't assemble your engines in a Class 10 clean room?"

 

[Art Upton]

The other answer, Art, is "What? You don't assemble your engines in a Class 10 clean room?"

Most were assembled on a camp table in a farm field

 

[WizardOfBoz]

L1 flight was a success. Beautiful day at the MDRA Launch at the sod farm. Super DX3 on an Aerotech RMS-29 H180 in an RMS-29/360 case using the Reload Adapter Kit.

Fairly straight flight
Deployment almost at perfect apogee (Thanks, OpenRocket and Aerotech Delay Tool!)
42" Spherachute standard worked great for this 2.5kg (loaded) rocket.
Review by Dennis Kingsley, who is Prefect of this area. Thanks to Dennis for his very useful suggestions and for helping me frame the best approach.
It was a lot of fun. I launched also my Estes Argent recreation (twice! G67 and G80) and my Estes Patriot (C6-5)

The Patriot flight was a bit less stable than it should have been - too much dog barf weight near the motor? I'm wondering about this. Spent Estes motor looked fine. Very pleased with the DX3 and the Argent. Very pleased with the Aerotech motors. Very pleased with the Spherachutes. I think that I used a 30" with the argent and this might have been too much chute. Luckily I had a friend willing to go bird-dog the rocket about 2000 feet away.

Too, I used an ultrsonic cleaner with hot water and dish detergent (Cascade) and the motor parts all look like new now.

Thanks to all here and at the range today, for help and suggestions to get here.

Before, during, after:




View attachment VID_20240727_203448.mp4

 

[JoePfeiffer]

L1 flight was a success. Beautiful day at the MDRA Launch at the sod farm. Super DX3 on an Aerotech RMS-29 H180 in an RMS-29/360 case using the Reload Adapter Kit.

Congratulations!

 

[tsmith1315]

Well done Jim, congratulations!

 

[terryg]

Welcome to High Power!
Get out your wallet....

 

[bad_idea]

L1 flight was a success.

Congratulations!

 

[Capt. Eric]

I was there flying too. It was a really nice day to fly, and a nice field. I've been to MDRA a few times, but this was my first trip to the sod farm. While not as big as Higgs farm, it was a treat to walk about such a nice surface of flat, soft grass. Like flying on a golf course, but without the trees.

And congrats on the cert. I heard a few folks getting theirs yesterday.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

Welcome to High Power!
Get out your wallet....

I thought your statement was funny. My wife did not...

 

[jmasterj]

I thought your statement was funny. My wife did not...

I've heard that after every cert I've ever seen, lol.

 

[WizardOfBoz]

Looking at my posts I realize that I had not thanked @tsmith1315 for material help as well as encouragement. Thanks, Tim!

 

[tsmith1315]

Looking at my posts I realize that I had not thanked @tsmith1315 for material help as well as encouragement. Thanks, Tim!

You’re most welcome, glad I could be of help!

 

[loopy]

Congratulations! I love the H180. Great motor!

 

[kjhambrick]

Congrats, @WizardOfBoz !

+1 on the H180 ... it is a LOUD motor with beautiful smoke

-- kjh