DARS Launch, August 21, 2010

Pictures from DARS model rocket launch, August 21, 2010
Frisco, Texas

My new Semroc Skyhook starts up the rod on its maiden flight on an A8-5. The 8" chute I used brought it down just right in the wind. The A8-5 was a good fit, too - not too high, not too wimpy

The booster from the rocket above falls back to earth.

My new Semroc Mark lifts off on its maiden flight on an A8-5. Again, this motor was just right and so too was the 8" chute.

One thing I noticed later was that the motor was missing. I'll have to check my friction fitting before the flight next time. I had done it several days in advance. Sometimes, what fits very tight one day will be not so tight later, so it's best to double check it just before flying in case it's gotten loose.

My new Flis Cougar660 also made its first flight, this one on an A3-4T. The delay could have been just a tad longer, and the 1" x 27" streamer resulted in a fast descent. A little more streamer is needed next time.

Haley poses next to her Quest Full Moon before its flight. The B6-4 was a good choice given the wind. The 12" chute brought it down softly but a long way down wind.

I flew my Betty-Sprint on a D12-7. I would have preferred a C11-5, but didn't have any. The nosecone broke at ejection and was lost all except for the very bottom which was captured by the screw eye that joined the shock cord and parachute.

I'll turn a new nosecone and make this one even more Sprint like.

The Betty-Sprint encountered a high speed deployment. It weather cocked off the rod and accelerated upwind. It appeared to still be moving at a good clip, nearly horizontal, when the chute came out. A big jerk was imparted on the shock cord when the chute opened. But my shock absorbers did the trick with no zipperered airframe nor shredded chute.

The two red loops show masking tape still on the shock cord which was torn when the line got taut. This dissipated and dampened the effect of the shock.

Alas, despite no damage to the airframe and chute, the nosecone broke at deployment. I assume the stytene was weakened by the nut on the screweye. I never saw it descend so I have no idea where to look for it. But I can turn a new one, even more Sprint like, on my lathe.

Here's a good shot of the motor end after the flight. Three wraps of ¼" masking tape comprise the thrust ring for the D12. One more wrap ensures the motor hook stays in position. The twig, I'm sure, was picked up on landing.

Our last flight of the day was Haley's Comet on a D12-5. Great flight and recovery.

I didn't get a great view of the rocket at deployment, but I'm glad to see our shock cord worked well. On its previous flight, we had a separation, so I replaced the old nylon ribbon with a nomex ribbon (not visible below). As usual, I put several tape-loops in the shock cord. On this flight, two of them tore thru while two stayed intact. So it's apparent there was somewhat of a high speed deployment - the jerk when the chute opened was enough to tear ½ of the tape loops.

8-22-2010