2017 Launch Reports

(This page is sparser than the others, as I'm filling it in from memory two years after the fact.)

Airfest 23, September 1-4 2017, Argonia KS

This was my third Airfest, and my first since getting my L3. I flew Buster, my L3 rocket, on an Aerotech M1850 motor.

Buster flight #3:

Motor: Aerotech M1850 White Lightning (in CTI Pro75 6G case)

Altitude: 11,815 feet AGL

Max velocity: 982 fps (670 mph, Mach 0.88)

Motor burn time: 4.0 sec

Descent rate: 75 fps (drogue), main not measured

Result: Rocket recovered successfully with no damage. It was a long way from the road; Kent Burnett helped me recover it in the heat.

Flight data file (viewable with MissileWorks mDACS)

GPS track of flight (viewable with Google Earth)

I also flew Jiminy for the first time, on an H motor. I used the Jolly Logic Chute Release and it landed just a few feet from the model rocket pads.

(TODO: images, videos)

SLRA Fall Launch, September 30, 2017, Addieville IL

This launch was special to me, as it was the first time (and, as it turned out, the only time) that my Dad got to come to a launch to see my rockets fly. He passed away the next spring.

I flew Buster on an Aerotech M1500 motor with green propellant.

Buster flight #4:

Motor: Aerotech M1500 Mojave Green (in CTI Pro75 6G case)

Altitude: 7675 feet AGL

Max velocity: 787 fps (537 mph, Mach 0.7)

Motor burn time: 3.1 sec

Descent rate: 73 fps (drogue), 23 fps (main)

Result: Rocket recovered with no damage.

Flight data file (viewable with MissileWorks mDACS)

GPS track of flight (viewable with Google Earth)

I also flew Ursa Major on a K500 with red propellant, using motor ejection with the Chute Release.

Ursa Major flight #3:

Motor: Cesaroni Pro54 K500 Red Lightning

Altitude: 2936 feet AGL (baro)

Max velocity: 567 fps (386 mph, Mach 0.5)

Motor burn time: 3.0 sec

Peak acceleration: 14G

Result: The parachute came partially out of the Chute Release at apogee, and remained tangled even after it released, but there still appeared to be no damage at landing. Rocket recovered successfully.

Flight data file (viewable with the Featherweight Interface Program)

(TODO: images, videos)