This is my latest endeavor into RC rocket gliders. An all composite (No cardboard or plastic in this model) X-15. The X-15 flies on an Aerotech I200W with two E-25 air starts. I used water ballast in the nose cone to shift the CG towards the CP (NP term for glide) to maintain excellent vertical stability then transitions to glide mode. Glides back under RC pilot control to around 400' ft AGL at which pilot deploys two large chutes to bring it in nice and easy close to the launch location. Uses Jomar switches to activate air starts and parachute deployment.
Hooked up a servo to a plastic water hose shut off valve to dump the water ballast. Dumps four cups of water in six seconds.
Its a real hand full to fly only allows a few seconds to trim. One flight so far lost control on glide phase and popped the chutes to recover. Needs CG shifted further back I had it up forewards on first flight to allow for stability margin. Now I'll tweak it further aft with each flight until I find a suitable elevator response.
Check it out at:
https://www.retroflight.com/XPROJECTS.html
Hooked up a servo to a plastic water hose shut off valve to dump the water ballast. Dumps four cups of water in six seconds.
Its a real hand full to fly only allows a few seconds to trim. One flight so far lost control on glide phase and popped the chutes to recover. Needs CG shifted further back I had it up forewards on first flight to allow for stability margin. Now I'll tweak it further aft with each flight until I find a suitable elevator response.
Check it out at:
https://www.retroflight.com/XPROJECTS.html