mh9162013
Well-Known Member
Most of my flying takes place in smaller-sized locations, such as sports fields and parks. As a result, when I build rockets, I need it to be capable of flying reliably and safely to anywhere from 75 to 200 feet. Any higher than that and I risk losing the rocket to trees or it otherwise being unrecoverable.
Of course, having the ability to fly higher is nice. For example, my current "approach" is to focus on BT-20 rockets where I use 1/2A and A engines. But pop in a C or D and reaching 1,000 feet should be easily done. Recovering the rocket on the other hand...
But now I have a decision to make. My Jolly Logic AltimeterTwo doesn't like to work unless it has its case. This means it will no longer fit in my BT-20 rockets. Buying a Micropeak altimeter is what I'm thinking about doing (No FS Mini for the foreseeable future, right?), but then I thought, how about building bigger, BT-60 rockets, like the Big Bertha, Patriot or Citation Patriot?
One drawback is that they're bigger and heavier which means launching with cheap 13mm engines is out of the question. But would they produce more enjoyable launches? And by enjoyable, I mean easier to watch and see.
For example, if an Estes Yankee with an A engine gets to 185 feet (I build my rockets heavy, with extra paint, thicker Kevlar, payload bay, baffle, at least two snap swivels, etc.) and an Estes Patriot gets to 175 feet with a B engine, won't the latter have a slightly slower lift off and be more easily viewed during its flight? And if I get the "fly high or go home" itch, BT-60 rockets I mentioned above are just begging for 24mm or 29mm engines...
Do any of you have thoughts on which sized rockets you would prefer to build in you had similar limitations as me? If so, why would you choose one design/size over another? Just curious; no right or wrong answers.
Of course, having the ability to fly higher is nice. For example, my current "approach" is to focus on BT-20 rockets where I use 1/2A and A engines. But pop in a C or D and reaching 1,000 feet should be easily done. Recovering the rocket on the other hand...
But now I have a decision to make. My Jolly Logic AltimeterTwo doesn't like to work unless it has its case. This means it will no longer fit in my BT-20 rockets. Buying a Micropeak altimeter is what I'm thinking about doing (No FS Mini for the foreseeable future, right?), but then I thought, how about building bigger, BT-60 rockets, like the Big Bertha, Patriot or Citation Patriot?
One drawback is that they're bigger and heavier which means launching with cheap 13mm engines is out of the question. But would they produce more enjoyable launches? And by enjoyable, I mean easier to watch and see.
For example, if an Estes Yankee with an A engine gets to 185 feet (I build my rockets heavy, with extra paint, thicker Kevlar, payload bay, baffle, at least two snap swivels, etc.) and an Estes Patriot gets to 175 feet with a B engine, won't the latter have a slightly slower lift off and be more easily viewed during its flight? And if I get the "fly high or go home" itch, BT-60 rockets I mentioned above are just begging for 24mm or 29mm engines...
Do any of you have thoughts on which sized rockets you would prefer to build in you had similar limitations as me? If so, why would you choose one design/size over another? Just curious; no right or wrong answers.
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