Parachute recommendation

[Mitch Smith]

I am needing to get a new chute due to early ejection and losing my chute. So far I am leaning for the TAC-1 60″ from Tim. Are any of the other ones he carry prefered? Also, I am going to replace the nylon harness with one of the kevlar shockcords. This is on my 9′ 9lb bird. What would be the better size… the 1/4″ or 1/2″. I will go with the 20-25′ range. One for the drogue and one for the main.

[Jeffrey Joe HintonModerator]

Simple rules of thumb for parachutes and shock cords, regardless of what they are attached to (Nose cone, booster section) – four to five times the lenght of the body tube/rocket. And If longer fits, I go with the longer. When in doubt with parachutes, have several to chose from depending on the winds aloft and energy you have for recovery walks. The higher they fly, the bigger is better to see but the further they drift. Avoid using parawad recovery devices as the bounce is not always kind.

[RocketwhizParticipant]

Here’s an online calculator. You can play with the parachute size to get the descent rate you want.

http://www.onlinetesting.net/cgi-bin/descent3.3.cgi

[Mitch Smith]

Appreciate the responses. I pretty much got the decent rate down. I quess the main questions are … Is the Tac-1 a good chute or should I go with a skyangle and which diameter Kevlar..1/4 or 1/2″

[RocketwhizParticipant]

Both chutes are excellent either would work fine. 1/4″ would probably do it, but I would go with the 1/2″

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

What’s the diameter of your rocket? I use 1/4″ if it’s 3″ or less, or 1/2″ if greater than 3″. Also depends on the weight: the heavier, the thicker the harness. We all learn from difference experiences. Hope that helps.

[Mitch Smith]

That it did. It is a 5.5″ I built an extended LOC Magnum, basically built the stock magnum and added the av bay/payload from the magnum 3e in the center. Weight is about 9.5 LBS.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

I’ve only built one LOC kit, and that was a LOC IV, and I gave that to Ken (new2hpr) for his son. When I go >/= 3″, I always use G10 fiberglass (John Wilke (3dogs) carries the PR kits and tubes now), so I don’t know if a paper tube… well, it might be okay with a 1/4″ Kevlar harness. Did you glass it, and what motor are you using? AND, don’t forget zippering. Paper tubes are really easy to zipper, especially with a 1/4″ Kevlar harness. I know I have. Did you do a zipperless design?

[Mitch Smith]

I did not glass this one. I am flying it on J’s right now. I am planning on going with either a K or L at Octobor fest. Just have to watch and keep the speed down on it.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Sounds good.

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