Next Rocket

[BEAR]

Dave, I acquired my L2 last year and I am actively working on my L3. I used an Intimidator 3 for both my L1 and L2 flights. I did not fly it with electronics at all. My reasoning was that I am growing in experience, and can quickly get too complicated for my abilities. So I flew it low and slow. Adequate to get the certification, but not pushing the envelope for the certification flight. I still ended up having issues like a rail button snapping off or a kevlar cord getting tangled. I did get the flight and my L2 card though. Now at the strong suggestions of some TAPs, namely John Wilke, (who currently declines the TAP status) James Russell, Art Hoag, and Mark Lionberger, (see, redundancy even in TAPs!) I am building an Intimidator 4, 4″ glass rocket. The idea is to get the L3 bird design, schematics, drawings, parts lists, etc., approved for build; then building with lots of photos being taken so I can e-mail them to the TAPS and they can see the build along the way, and then prepare to fly. When I fly, it will have the electronics in place, ejection charges operational, prepared for dual deploy, and then I plan on flying it a number of times on Js, Ks, and Ls, to get the experience, just as John, James, Art, and Mark have suggested. When I have successfully flown in that configuration a number of times, using dual deploy, all I am really doing is taking what I have already done before, and doing it again, only this time it is a bigger motor, and M, and I have special observers allowing the flight and buying off on it. I am not doing anything new.

I can get as complicated as the next guy, but on flights that really count, the KISS method is the one I follow. Keep It Simple Stupid! Try not to do too many new things in your flights. they will get complicated enough, quickly enough as it is.

Come on out to the Proton M build and get involved and talk and ask questions and partake. You will be able to learn alot. Just think about how complicated the Proton M is. Not only is Steve and the team building a large rocket that will fly with 10 motors on the first flight, it has 3/4″ plywood centering rings, and 2 X 4s for an internal structure, it has ways to dissasemble for transport. It has to have electronic to fly. The 3 main motors fire first and once the elctronics sense movement, it will fire the outside 6 motors. When they fire and it is flying, a tilt-o-meter is monitoring vertical movement and whether or not the rocket is drifting from vertical. If that is all OK at burnout of the booster, then explosive bolts will fire releasing the stages, so that the sustainer will fire and go on in the flight. After that happens, the ejection charge goes off to blow a cover so the parachute can come out on the booster. The second stage is still going, and it has it’s own altimeter and dual deploy set-up. If a third stage is flown, all of that is repeated again. Come see how it is done. In the mean time, take your baby steps and work up to it.

When you were learning how to drive, you would almost hit the brakes while you were looking in the rear view mirrors before you could turn or change lanes. You were probably a danger to society. But now, with practice, experience, and coordination you can drive on the interstate at 75 mph, change radio stations, change lanes, get angry at the fool you just passed, while talking about rockets to someone on the phone and eating your Big Mac and sucking down a Coke. You are just trying to work up to that, so KISS! ’nuff said?

[Dave Smith]

I am glad that what you are saying about KISS is what I was thinking anyway. I have a couple of birds with successful, error free flights already to brag about.

I am planning to join the Proton crew tomorrow. I’ll be there with bells on!

[smashburn]

I am glad that what you are saying about KISS is what I was thinking anyway. I have a couple of birds with successful, error free flights already to brag about.

I am planning to join the Proton crew tomorrow. I’ll be there with bells on!

That’s definitely the better way to go for ‘most’. Though some just really like to go for it! Ask Warren about his Cert process .. no KISS there .. 🙂 but he made it to the top, so all roads eventually lead to the same place. You can still put the altimeter in w/o an actual event .. it’ll get your altitude and show you it worked.

[bryans]

I did motor ejection only for my L2 also. I regret that a little bit, because I kinda rushed into the certification, so much more that I have now learned on F, G, H and I motors. The electronics aren’t hard, but there is so much to think about when getting L2 ready, and just have taken the test, and so on.

I highly recommend a DIP switch based RRC2 or MAWD for simplicity. The DIP switches are easy to check and be sure you know what you have set. The new electronics have menus and some require computers, which can give you more things to screw up on cert day. RRC2-mini is a fine little deployment control, but the buttons and blinky light codes take me FOREVER to verify.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Take your time, Keep It Simple, don’t rush yourself or get “Go Fever”. I flew my L1 first try… but it took me 5 tries to L2 because of: A) I was way psyched and I most definitely had Go Fever, B) I overcomplicated things, tried dual deploy and redundant altimeters and fancy switches, C) I was in a rush to get my L3. Along the way I lost 2 birds and cratered 3.

Now that said, when I finally did get my L2 it was with a 4″ scratch built carbon bird with full dual deploy, redundant altimeters, redundant batteries, redundant charges and fancy switches… however, instead of rushing, I was VERY methodical, did extensive ground testing and had a couple far more experienced rocketeers check out what I was doing at every step of the way. I learned the hard way. A written checklist of extreme detail is a real help too.

As an example story, I want to relate the story of an L3 project built by two of our most prominent club members (who shall remain nameless to prevent people from busting out laughing whenever they see them.) A major project that flew on an M and these guys had it down – they’d done it before. The rocket was gorgeous, although they hadn’t painted it yet. Up all night the night before going carefully through everything – fresh batteries, ground testing, careful packing of chutes, etc. The following morning they took it out to the pad, stuck in the igniter and “Woooosh”, the button was pushed. Now again, these were some of our most experienced and skilled club members… unfortunately the bird came in ballistic about 1/4 mile from the pads – they had forgotten to turn on the electronics.

[MikeSModerator]

2009 raffle prize win of a 4″ Mad Dog.

2010 Maiden flight with a K500. When I turned the electronics on, the
switch turned in the hole. NO ELECTRONICS.

An eight foot rocket seven feet in the ground.

I have done all the rest also. Forgot to hook shock cords, too
much thrust, not enough ejection charge. You name it I have
probably done it.

My level one and level two was done with basic rocket configuration.
It did take me two tries for level one. I tried duel deploy. The nose
cone pushed out shortly after lift off. I got my level one later with
ans EZI 65. Great rocket.

So far, all non text book outcomes have been my fault. Only one (a
motor cato) was not mine.

The great people of NCR have always put me in the
right direction.

Measure twice – cut once
Ground test – Ground Test – GROUND TEST
Ask For Help

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Ah, the EZI-65… I cratered at least 2 of them in my quest for L2 and one other besides. Great rocket…not much luck though for me with them.

[MikeSModerator]

Couple more pictures. I am about 80% done.

Still not sure of the name.

https://picasaweb.google.com/mshinn2001/March242012#

[Tim Thomas]

8) GRAVEDIGGER!

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