Lesson you have learned the hard way

[cwbullet]

You have all read my story of superglue, my wife, my level 3 rocket, and the floor. Please share a lesson you have learned the hard way.

Use this thread as a learning lesson, and do not repeat them.

 

[Huxter]

Use the correct ejection delay. When you use the wrong delay time, your rockets instinctively know this and weather cock immediately, and usually do a nose drive into the ground! You don't have to tell me 5 times - Lesson learned!

 

[tsmith1315]

You must turn the altimeter on in order for it to work.

 

[jbsommerfeldt]

Dont research a medical problem you are experiencing on the internet. If you were not a hypochondriac before, you will be come one real fast.

Trying to get the last tank of gas out of the lawnmower before winter, DONT. Swallowing gas is nasty. Now I just leave it. Have not had a problem. Have not had the taste of gasoline in my mouth since.

 

[Tobor]

Listen to that "Little Voice" in your head nagging you, that something about that "Minor" construction detail is "Wrong".....

 

[Worsaer]

Write down your altimeter beep codes. Know what ‘Good’ and ‘Not Good’ sounds like. Ground test some ‘Not Good’ scenarios, like only one initiator connected.

 

[cwbullet]

Close the quick link before the flight.

 

[Hobie1dog]

Use the correct ejection delay. When you use the wrong delay time, your rockets instinctively know this and weather cock immediately, and usually do a nose drive into the ground! You don't have to tell me 5 times - Lesson learned!

+1

 

[KenECoyote]

If a motor seems or has a reputation for being sketchy, don't use it on a rocket that you would miss dearly.

 

[Scott_650]

When you’re trying to decide if you can get just one more flight in before the end of the day - that’s always the rocket I end up loosing, last time it was a Star Orbiter with my JLCR…so now I save an expendable rocket for that “just one more flight” moment

 

[cwbullet]

Always put the tracker in the bird that you can never lose.

 

[cls]

Be sure the tracker is securely attached to the rocket, and won't separate.

I've learned this 4 or 5 times.

 

[KenECoyote]

Don't be cocky. Rocketry will simply slap you upside the head.

 

[Charles_McG]

Don’t try to cold store apples past March without also having controlled atmosphere.

Apple juice that smells like tomato soup is a sad, sad thing.

 

[dr wogz]

be wary when an idea is hatched, and your friends insist it must be proven / tried / enacted upon.. mainly by you & you alone....

 

[dr wogz]

There re no Nigerian princes trying to dole out millions of dollars..

in fact, i don't think there are any princes in Nigeria

 

[lakeroadster]

I learned this back in 1976:

You can't pack a cardboard tube with D booster motors, stacked one on top of the next, and expect during staging that the cardboard body tube will burn through and fall away at stage separation.​

​

- BUT -​

​

You can expect the above to produce an awesome experience for those attending the launch due to "RTV": Random Thrust Vectoring.​

 

[Rob Campbell]

Put the wading in BEFORE the parachute. Critical with LPR plastic parachutes.

 

[KenECoyote]

Don't contact HR at your company unless you have to. Unless you've got good hard evidence, their job is mostly to protect the company... even if that means supporting the manager vs. doing the "right" thing.

 

[cwbullet]

Put the wading in BEFORE the parachute. Critical with LPR plastic parachutes.

That goes with melted parachutes falling faster and flaming parachute are spectacular.

 

[KenECoyote]

Gasoline isn't just flammable... it's also explosive.

 

[Bravo52]

Perfect certification flights require all parts of the rocket be attached even after landing. Even if it falls off after picking it up... Luckily there were vendors ready to sell me another motor for my second and successful attempt...

 

[cwbullet]

Perfect certification flights require all parts of the rocket be attached even after landing. Even if it falls off after picking it up... Luckily there were vendors ready to sell me another motor for my second and successful attempt...

Always bring superglue on the trip to recover your bird.

 

[cwbullet]

Gasoline isn't just flammable... it's also explosive.

Yup, a few smokers have learned that lesson the hard way.

 

[jbsommerfeldt]

If a motor seems or has a reputation for being sketchy, don't use it on a rocket that you would miss dearly.

View attachment 562534

I neglected to double check the o-ring size! And then still put it on the wrong end, duh!

It was my favorite PML bull puppy. I was soo pissed I threw the rocket away. But whats worse is - look at the serial number.

 

[cwbullet]

I neglected to double check the o-ring size! And then still put it on the wrong end, duh!
View attachment 562545
It was my favorite PML bull puppy. I was soo pissed I threw the rocket away. But whats worse is - look at the serial number.

Ouch, and an LDRS 2002 case.

 

[crossfire]

Make sure the power is on for your Jolly Logic Chute Release.

 

[KenECoyote]

Make sure the power is on for your Jolly Logic Chute Release.

AND attached

 

[Kane]

Secure your avionics wiring.

 

[cwbullet]

Make sure the power is on for your Jolly Logic Chute Release.

That helps will all electronics.