Curtis Enlow
Well-Known Member
Greetings!
I am a new member here, so some personal background: I grew up as a 60's 'space kid' and used to fly rockets as a kid (in my day 'D' motors were HUGE, as well as the only thing available here at that time), and then, again, as an adult with my son. I have pretty extensive tech experience - I built airliners for 15-years, worked in aviation ground support and radial engine overhaul shops. I am restoring a wooden sailboat (I know a lot about epoxy! LOL) I fly R/C planes and work in the audio/video industry as a sound person and camera op, so electronics, software, etc., is something in my skill set. I have also watched more YouTube videos on rocket construction, etc., than any normal, responsible adult should...
I am very close to pulling the trigger on a LOC IV as a mid-power flyer to get back in to the hobby. I plan on adding an e-bay and body extension to fly as a high-power, dual-deploy L1 Cert machine at the high-power site 4 hours from my home in Western Washington later this Spring.
As of now, this is the hardware I am considering for the LOC IV (this includes HP hardware that will not necessarily fly in the MP configuration):
I plan on vacuum bagging a layer of fine glass & epoxy onto the fins, with an additional tapered form layer to produce asymmetric airfoil fins, as I know the fins are a weak spot on the IV, and I want them tougher for desert landings as well as high-power flight.
I guess my first question would be, is the 360 case long enough to fly the full range of H-I motors after I get my L1? Also, do I need forward and aft closures for the 38/360 RMS case if I am using the RMS Reload Adapter kit? (I'm a little sticker-shocked at the prices of relatively simple fittings and don't want to buy them if I don't need them).
Also, will a single-use 38mm 'G' motors simply fit the IV's 38mm MMT with no additional hardware other than a motor retainer?
Also, is there a problem with using aluminum hardware, U-bolts, etc., where possible instead of steel? An aluminum 1/4" U-bolt is still pretty indestructible for small HP rockets and the difference in weight if you use several in a build is considerable...
I am concerned about the 1500g weight restriction a my local mid-power restricted field, but am also concerned about recovery, especially as our local field is a large athletic field complex, but still surrounded by roads, trees, other people, etc., within drifting distance of a main/apogee release on a windy day. In anyone's experience would a dual-deploy set up, as I have outlined above (with special care taken to minimize epoxy with chopped glass strengtheners, micro-balloons in aerodynamic fillets, etc.) on a LOC IV, still be too heavy to meet the maximum weight standards? I considered the ChuteRelease system, but the price...yikes...
I know this is a lot, and thanks to those who are still reading! Any thoughtful responses and experiences regarding my parts selections of planning will be appreciated.
Warm regards,
Curtis
I am a new member here, so some personal background: I grew up as a 60's 'space kid' and used to fly rockets as a kid (in my day 'D' motors were HUGE, as well as the only thing available here at that time), and then, again, as an adult with my son. I have pretty extensive tech experience - I built airliners for 15-years, worked in aviation ground support and radial engine overhaul shops. I am restoring a wooden sailboat (I know a lot about epoxy! LOL) I fly R/C planes and work in the audio/video industry as a sound person and camera op, so electronics, software, etc., is something in my skill set. I have also watched more YouTube videos on rocket construction, etc., than any normal, responsible adult should...
I am very close to pulling the trigger on a LOC IV as a mid-power flyer to get back in to the hobby. I plan on adding an e-bay and body extension to fly as a high-power, dual-deploy L1 Cert machine at the high-power site 4 hours from my home in Western Washington later this Spring.
As of now, this is the hardware I am considering for the LOC IV (this includes HP hardware that will not necessarily fly in the MP configuration):
- Missile Works RRC3 Altimeter
- Aerotech RMS 38mm Reload Adapter System
- Aerotech 38/360 RMS case
- 9/16" tubular Nylon shock cord with 200lb BB swivel hardware
- 4" X 12" body tube extension with an 8" coupler to make into my e-bay.
- RMS Delay drilling tool
- 38mm Aeropack motor retainer
I guess my first question would be, is the 360 case long enough to fly the full range of H-I motors after I get my L1? Also, do I need forward and aft closures for the 38/360 RMS case if I am using the RMS Reload Adapter kit? (I'm a little sticker-shocked at the prices of relatively simple fittings and don't want to buy them if I don't need them).
Also, will a single-use 38mm 'G' motors simply fit the IV's 38mm MMT with no additional hardware other than a motor retainer?
Also, is there a problem with using aluminum hardware, U-bolts, etc., where possible instead of steel? An aluminum 1/4" U-bolt is still pretty indestructible for small HP rockets and the difference in weight if you use several in a build is considerable...
I am concerned about the 1500g weight restriction a my local mid-power restricted field, but am also concerned about recovery, especially as our local field is a large athletic field complex, but still surrounded by roads, trees, other people, etc., within drifting distance of a main/apogee release on a windy day. In anyone's experience would a dual-deploy set up, as I have outlined above (with special care taken to minimize epoxy with chopped glass strengtheners, micro-balloons in aerodynamic fillets, etc.) on a LOC IV, still be too heavy to meet the maximum weight standards? I considered the ChuteRelease system, but the price...yikes...
I know this is a lot, and thanks to those who are still reading! Any thoughtful responses and experiences regarding my parts selections of planning will be appreciated.
Warm regards,
Curtis