L3 Project Construction Tips

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

I’ll bring some professionally sewn and certified climbing webbing as well as some of what my wife sews for me for rocketry to the next launch.

Warren

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

The GLR ones I have to use each have two bar tacks, one below the loop and one where the fold-over ends. The rest of the Kevlar stitching goes up or down vertically/perpendicular from those. How many bar tacks are needed to a secure loop properly? Over a year ago when I started getting into the high power end of rocketry, I asked my wife to sew me a chute or two. She said, “No,” because she knows me and how many I’d want :), but that she’d teach me how to sew. And she did. She has two expensive and heavy-duty machines that will do the trick. I’m going to look in to finding the proper Kevlar thread. Any help on that end? I’ll also bring GLR’s tubular Kevlar harnesses, so we can compare them, to the next launch or cleaning party whichever comes first. Oh, and your nut-serts from Conway, Warren. I divided them in half, and half are yours. It’s his contribution to our projects. I’ll have my riviter with me, and if I’m done with it by then, you can take it with you. Otherwise, Conway knows where to pick them up for about $20.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Okay, I stepped up to the rocket… on a ladder at one point. 🙂 I still can’t believe how long this bird is! I’m happy with the decisions I’ve made, and everyone responded well by NOT calling me an idiot. 🙂 If I pull off my design, then more power to me. If it doesn’t work, then I was forewarned. 😯 My Dad got most of his patents when people said something couldn’t be done. And he did it. But then again, I’m not my Dad. 🙁 I still go out in the garage and smile. This project is so much fun. Hey, listen, everybody, thanks for your help so far. I really appreciate it. 🙂 Love those nut-serts!

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Looks pretty damn good Bruce. Can’t wait to see it fly. I think mine will end up shorter, but I’m extending the booster to handle the longest 98mm motor casings commercially available as well as the Hypertek 98mm hybrids. Rear bay will be setup for apogee deploy of a 48″ drogue and the forward, main bay will be setup for a Rocketman R14C chute. Total length is 54″ booster + 30″ rear bay + 48″ main bay + 6:1 Performance Rocketry conical nose.

Warren

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Two questions. I’ll ask the first one while I try to remember what the second one is. 🙂 My Blacksky altimeter & flight recorder has the screw-in/turn-on switch on the PCB, just like the newtons3rdrocketry ones (I’ll use three of those, two in the above avionics bay and one below IF it is legal for L3 certification. In other words, you have to be able to turn the electronics on/off from the outside (should on any). However, since the BS altimeter will be inside (along with the switch)–although it can be turned on/off FROM the outside via the vent port… is this acceptable for L3? The bottom ebay for apogee will hold the Blacksky and a Gee-Wiz accelerometer (dedicated for apogee) to pop the drogue, the top ebay should hold a MWC radio control system and their RRC2X altimeter for the main. You know, I had both questions in my mind all day… but the other one escapes me now… 🙄

[Doug GerrardParticipant]

can it be turned on/off FROM the outside via the vent port… is this acceptable for L3?

Yes, that should be acceptable but you must ask your TAP member. His opinion is the only one that matters in getting your L3. However, keep in mind that BlackSky does make a remote On/Off switch for the ALTACC.

Doug

[Conway StevensParticipant]

The best answer I belive anyone will or can give is to completly clarify with your L3cc or Tap memebr as it will be they that make the judgement call on this. Some or I should say many have different veiws and opinions as to what is this or that and what is by the book or acceptable. There are some things that one would pass you for and the same thing another will fail. This is the exact reason for my many hated (or seems like it) disscussions on topics like the Waiver or cert teams being able to “Wittness” your flight. We might say yea thats great and he will say no go..

[Conway StevensParticipant]

CRAP… to late with my answer.. LOL Doug beat me to the punch..

[Doug GerrardParticipant]

gotta be faster Conway… But its true what Conway says. On my L3 flight I was signed off by my guy but there was another TAP member there that said he wouldn’t. Go figure… The criteria is largly based on the TAP members opinion and not on specific tangable items.

Doug

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Good response from both. I can always bypass the switch or buy the remote. Doug, do you, or have you ever used, that Blacksky altimeter, and if so, do you like it?

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