The Aero-Hi: This is a cute little flier from Estes using 13mm T engines. It is a pseudo-scale sounding rocket design. This normally uses a tiny 8-inch parachute but was converted to a streamer for a bit, then later converted back into a parachute recovery which I find easier to pack. I actually have two of these, one painted green and this one red. One unique feature of this kit is the simulated conduit up the side of the body tube, made from a balsa strip.
This rocket was later given my "Iris" modification, which extends the body tube about 5 inches above the streamer/parachute bay, and allows for a payload with an Altimeter One or Two to measure altitudes. It's a shame I "ruined" it by adding the payload, she was a cute little bird. (I can always remove the payload.) I like to send this, or the EAC Viper rocket up first on launch days, it's a good and economical way to get an idea how the winds are blowing without risking a lost rocket. As a result, this has flown many times. (Iris is named after the Greek god of the rainbow. She is a messenger of the gods, linking the gods with humanity.) This rocket has flown as high as 282 feet with the A motor, which is higher than the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in NC, the tallest lighthouse in the USA.
Flight Date: | 2011-10-08 |
Rocket Name: | Aero-Hi |
Kit Name: | Estes - Aero-Hi {Kit} (817) [1973-1974] |
Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
Motors: | A3-4 |
Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
Actual Altitude: | 256 Feet |
This second flight of the day was a test to compare the A3 with the A10 motor. Under calm winds, the A3 reached a usual height of 256 feet and a max speed of 76 mph. The motor burned for 0.9 seconds and generated a maximum of 7.5Gs (the average G force was 3.8), and then the Aero-Hi coasted for another 3.5 seconds while turning into the winds aloft. After apogee, while still moving fast, it lost only 12 feet in 1/10 of a second before ejection. It descended under a streamer at a fast 21 mph, and landed nearby after a total flight time of 12.6 seconds. All was well. Although the acceration was much less than the A10 motor, it reached a very similar maximum speed and altitude. The plastic streamer works well with this model, although for some odd reason this same type gave me constant problems with my Astron Sprint. Go figure.
Stage | Motor(s) |
---|---|
1 | Estes A3T-4 |
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