Flight Log - 2011-10-08 - Rich DeAngelis's Aero-Hi

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: A10-3
Launch Site: Penn Manor School Lancaster PA
Actual Altitude: 260 Feet

Beautiful day, the kind pilots describe as "severe clear". Very light winds. Since I usually like the slower flights, this was a change for me launching on an A10 instead of the usual A3 (due to Hobbylinc shipping the wrong motors, they were supposed to be A10-0's for a booster stage.) This motor did shoot up fast, but still attained about the same altitude as the A3 motors. It reached a similar speed of 74 mph, with a 900mSec burn time and a coast to apogee of 3 seconds.  Although the average acceleration was only 3.9 Gs, it peaked at 23 Gs! The ejection was a bit early, at 246 feet, traveling for another 1/2 second before apogee of 260 feet. It then came down fast on the small streamer at 16 mph, landing within 10 feet of the launch pad!  Total flight time was 13.4 seconds. They should all be this good. The only thing unusual is that the wadding was still left in the tube - probably packed a little tight.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes A10T-3

 

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