Level 3 Project
The Flight
Update 6-20-05
Level 3 Cert flight successful!!!!
We drove to Nebraska on Friday night to stay in a hotel so that we could to the launch site early and un-hurried on Saturday morning.
We arrived at the field at about 8:30 am on Saturday June 18th, 2005. First it was time to setup and get ready to start prepping for the flight.
Prep
Tent, chairs, and table setup and ready to start flight prep.
Setting up the dual Missile Works RRC2 altimeters. Alt one was set dual recovery for apogee deployment and main at 1,000' with an 8 second mach delay. The flight is nowhere near mach, however I was going to play it safe. Alt 2 was set for dual deployment and main at 800 with 8 second mach delay.
Wiring and installing altimeters into avionics bay.
Installing altimeters into the Alt-Bay. It's a little more difficult with two altimeters to keep sorted out. The two different altimeters were controlling events differently with different sized charges so things had to be kept in order and in their proper places.
With the altimeters wired and installed into the altimeter bay it was then time to build deployment charges.
The apogee charge was setup first, 2.5 grams of blackpowder with two ematches into the same charge. This was the first time I had run to matches into a single charge and care had to be taken to ensure that they weren't able to short eachother out.
Apogee charge is installed and time to wire the leads into the terminal blocks.
Wiring to the terminal blocks.
First main charge for altimeter 1. This charge consisted of 4.5 grams of black powder.
Second charge being installed and taped in. The second/backup charge consisted of a "heavy" 5.5 gram charge.
Altimeter bay completely prepped and installed onto the top of the apogee section tube. Shortly after this I lost my photographer, seems she disappeared for an hour to fly kites. During which time the Drogue and Main bays were loaded/prepped.
The drogue bay consisted of a short 5' section of 1/2" Tubular Kevlar on the ejection side of the bay, which was then attached to 35' of 1" Tubular Nylon for the shock cord.
Main parachute packed into deployment bag and being hooked up to tubular nylon shock cord. (photo Rich Burney)
Preparing to install recovery components into main bay. (photo Rich Burney)
The main bay again used a short 5' section of 1/2" Tubular Kevlar on the ejection side of the bay, which was attached to a 25' section of 11/16" Tubular Nylon. To the top of the TN the RocketMan R16 EXP parachute was attached which was housed in a deployment bag. This was then all loaded into the main bay.
The pilot chute was attached to the top of the deployment bag and nose cone via 1/4" Tubular Kevlar, loaded into the bay and the nosecone was then attached.
Rocket prepped and taken out to the stand to get it out of the way and install shear pins.
Here shear pins are installed into the nose cone, four 2-56 shear pins were used for both separation joints, the booster to the drogue bay, and the nose cone to the main bay.
Time to build a motor.
Unpacking one CTI M1400 75mm motor.
Ok, we've got lots of parts but something is missing. Directions???? Where are the directions I've never built one of these before. A quick check of the flight line produced no one else who had ever built one before. Time to put things on hold until help arrives.
Then someone suggested looking in the liner tube, a quick look and there they are, we're back on.
Nozzle being placed into the liner tube.
Yeh I know who reads directions right? Today we decided to read and follow directions. Black tube is the liner tube for the motor that will be installed into the casing later.
First fuel grain being placed into the liner tube.
More fuel grains, the motor uses a total of 5 grains. Each grain is packed with it's own spacer o-ring. These are placed in-between each grain. Unfortunately the second or third ring was way too big. So grabbed the ring from the next fuel grain and continued to build thinking we'd get another one from the vendor at the end.
As it turned out, reading the directions as we went the last o-ring was optional, and we had an appropriate fit without it so we were able to build the motor without using the non fitting ring.
Nozzle spacer being applied over the nozzle.
Motor is pretty well built and about ready to be placed into the casing. Greasing the outside of the liner tube now.
Placing the casing over the completed motor/liner.
Rear retention ring is now being installed, retaining the liner and motor assembly inside the casing.
Rear end of the motor is complete and now working on the front end.
Forward end of the motor which houses the tracking smoke.
Forward retention ring being installed, note the extra O-ring on the table in the background. The first time you've ever built an M motor and having leftover parts isn't always the best feeling, however the directions stated it was perfectly acceptable so we went forward.
Now we're getting close, installing the motor into the rocket.
A close-up of the home made clips I used for retention. Just an 8-32 blind nut into the rear centering ring, and the clips are secured via a screw through that nut. I fabricated about 3 types of clips, and purchased two others, mirror clips and screen door clips as well as numerous spacers to use as I did not have an opportunity before flight day to get my hands on the casing to check fit and sizing.
I had made clips out of both brass and strap steel, the brass ones fit better but I wasn't exactly sure how they would hold up to the heat, so I ended up using two brass and two steel. In hindsight the brass held up fine.
Prepped, loaded and about ready to head out to the pad, a pic with my main build helpers, left to right, Meesha, Me, Tannor, and Devin. All three helped me allot with the build, testing, and finishing of this project and I appreciate all of their help.
Flight crew, everyone with their own assignments. Left to right, Justin, Me, Devin, Meesha, Tannor, Tyler and my brother Matt. Matt a Level 2 flyer helped me immensely during prep, in the past other family members have helped me with prep but on a larger scale project like this it was very nice to have another flyer that understands the details and all the little things that can make a difference.
Matt helped with all the prep, and was an extra set of eyes to make sure I wasn't missing anything, he also helped me to make the final decision to go drogueless on this flight which turned out to be the way to go. Matt and his family came from Virginia Beach, VA to watch and help me with this project. Thanks Matt.
Now when you have access to three different sized Thors you just have to take a picture. Joe Michel was out recovering a flight so I ran over to his camp and stole his 3" Thor for the picture. Front to back, 3", 4", and 6" Thors.
All the flight line pictures were taken and it is time to head out to the pad. Me front and my brother at the back starting the hike out to the away pads. (photo Joe Michel)
Making the hike out, helpers in tow.
Loaded on the rail and about ready to go.
Ok so here I am saying honest I'm not nervous and holding the hand steady to prove it. Or was it....
"Honest it was only this tall and I just added water"
Now we're getting there, arming the Altimeters, it's about time to send this thing up. (photo Joe Michel)
Installing the igniter, shortly after this I had everyone move back, checked that the leads were dead, and then hooked them up to the igniter.
Flight Photos
This first set of photos are cropped versions of what I got with my camera, unfortunately I didn't zoom in near enough, it was quite a way out to the away pad and my camera is a little out of focus as a result.
On the rail and coming up to pressure.
Coming up off the rail, 127" by 6" and 45lbs pad weight on a CTI M1400
About 30 feet up off the rail, you can see the top of the rail through the smoke at the bottom.
Allot more smoke than I was expecting, up and away now and moving out.
A good view from back at the flight line, it's up and away. (photo Matt Vennard)
A better shot of the liftoff. (photo Rich Burney)
Moving up and out, and slightly into the wind, which played out perfectly with the recovery, ending up coming down very close to the flight line. (photo Rich Burney)
Climbing. This is about the time I got the most nervous, I remember thinking about 3 seconds into the burn, "hold together, hold together" the forces really weren't that much on this solid of a build but I still got nervous at that point. (photo Rich Burney)
Flight Video
My video didn't turn out the best, especially the sound, this camcorder from it's location just didn't do justice to the sound of the motor. I have another video in QuickTime format that has awesome sound but it's too big to post and I don't yet know how to edit Quicktime video.
So for now here's what I have.
Flight Video (4.5 mbs)
Recovery
Under chute. The flight climbed and angled slightly into the wind which was back toward the flight line. As you can see here it ended up very nicely. You can see the rocket under the main chute, and at the top of the picture the nosecone is under the pilot chute. About 150 yds from the end of the flight line, plenty close enough.
The flight overall in the blue sky was very pretty, the recovery being my first attempt at using a deployment bag was awesome. She separated at apogee and floated down drogueless separated by 40' of tubular nylon.
At 1000' the main charge fired and popped the nosecone off and if my memory is correct even ejected the deployment bag out of the main tube. The pilot chute filled and pulled the shroud lines out of the bag, quickly followed by the chute which inflated quickly and nicely (then the cheers and whooping started) for a soft damage free landing.
After the touchdown I started whooping, and went straight to my wife for a big hug.
Recovery Video (4.8 mbs)
Flight Stats
Total Flight time liftoff to touchdown 2:24
Altitude Altimeter one 8,328' Altimeter two 8,221'
Max Speed 561 MPH
Drogueless Descent rate 91 fps
Recovered and on the way back with my recovery team, Tyler, Devin, and Tannor. Only scratch on it was from the rail. (photo Tom Henry)
Post flight, after inspection by my TAP Bruce Lee, even though it isn't much that's about as big as I smile. Dual Missile Works altimeters were used during the flight to control events and record altitude. Alt 1 recorded 8,328' and Alt 2 recorded 8,221'.
RockSim simulations predicted 8,333' so I'd say that's pretty close.
Thank You
Thank you to all that helped, and there were allot that gave advice and guidance to me during the build, preparation, and flight of this rocket.
Thanks to TAP's Bruce Lee and Lanie Cross.
Thanks to others that helped in many ways, Kevin Trojanowski, Matt Jones, Kevin Rich, Joe Michel, Scott Binder, Mark Saunders, Carl Tulanko, David Reese and The Rocketry Forum.
Special thank you to my family for their help and support and especially to my brother and his family who traveled half way across the country to come help and share in the moment.
Pre flight Page
Currently everything looks good for stability and the motor selection that I had wanted. When she flies of course this page will be updated with results, pictures, and video, make sure to stick around to see them!!!
As you can see I will still be able to fly with L and M impulse and actually high impulse K motors sim ok also, another thing I'm happy with at this point is the minimal amount of G's this rocket is pulling. My builds have handled much harsher G forces in the past.
Parts will be from BSD, PML, Aerosleeves, and Giant Leap.
Tripoli Advisor Panel Pre Flight Data Capture
NAME: Jason D. Vennard |
ADDRESS: |
PHONE #: 515-382-3394 |
TRA #: 9672 |
LAUNCH LOCATION: |
DATE: |
| ROCKET SOURCE: Scratch |
ROCKET NAME: |
COLORS: |
| ROCKET DIAMETER: 6" |
ROCKET LENGTH: 127" |
ROCKET WEIGHT Unloaded: 33.5 lbs Loaded motor: 45.2 lbs |
| AVIONICS DESCRIPTION: 2- Missile Works RRC2 Altimeters |
MOTOR TYPE: CTI 75mm M1400 |
THRUST TO WEIGHT RATIO:11.4 to 1 Max Thrust 6.9 to 1 Average Thrust |
LAUNCHER REQUIREMENTS: 1515 Rail |
LENGTH: Minimum 6’ |
|
Barrowman 103.409" Rocksim 107.145" |
HOW CALCULATED: Rocksim 7 |
|
| CENTER OF GRAVITY: Barrowman 81.909" Rocksim 81.909" |
HOW CALCULATED: Rocksim 7 |
|
| MAXIMUM VELOCITY: 561 mph |
HOW CALCULATED: Rocksim 7 |
|
| MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 8,323’ AGL |
HOW CALCULATED: Rocksim 7 |
|
WAS FLIGHT SUCCESSFUL: |
YES: X |
NO: |
TAP NAME: Bruce Lee |
||
TAP NAME: Lanie Cross |
||
TAP NAME: |
Pre Flight Check list.
Environmental
Ensure appropriate work space.
Setup Table [ ]
Setup Chairs [ ]
Setup Tool boxes [ ]
Setup Canopy
[ ]
System check both alts night before flight
Alt 1 [
]
Alt 2 [
]
Test Batteries Alt1 [ ] Alt 2 [ ]
Install Betteries with clip retention Alt 1 [ ] Alt 2 [ ]
Masking Tape backup Alt 1 [ ] Alt 2 [ ]
Set Mach Delay 8 seconds Alt 1 [ ] Alt 2 [ ]
Set Apogee and 1,000’ Main Alt 1 [ ] on/off/off/on/off
Set Apogee and 800’ Main on/off/off/on/on Alt 2 [ ]
Wire and install into Alt Bay Alt 1 [ ] Alt 2 [ ]
Close bay and secure nuts
[ ]
Apogee Side
Install apogee charge into holder 2.50 grams 4F [ ]
Install both ematches taking care not to short [ ]
Install wadding as needed [ ]
Tape closed and secure [ ]
Trim ematch leades EM 1 [ ] EM 2 [ ]
Install ematches into terminal blocks
TB 1
[ ]
TB 2 [ ]
Install main Alt 1 charge into holder 4.5 grams [ ]
Install main Alt 1 ematch into holder [ ]
Install wadding as needed [ ]
Tape Closed and secure [ ]
Trim and install ematch into Alt 1 terminal block
[ ]
Install main Alt 2 charge into holder 5 grams [ ]
Install main Alt 2 ematch into holder [ ]
Install wadding as needed [ ]
Tape Closed and secure [ ]
Trim and install ematch into Alt 2 terminal block
[ ]
Secure 5’ ½” Tubular Kevlar to bottom of alt bay u bolt [ ]
Attach drogue compartment to alt bay via five 8-32 ½” screws [ ]
Secure 35’ tubular nylon to Kevlar harness [ ]
Run harness through Kevlar heat pad [ ]
Secure drogue/streamer to tubular nlyon [ ]
Pack drogue compartment with wadding [ ]
Attach other end of tubular nylon to booster section u bolt [ ]
Pack recovery harness/system into drogue compartment [ ]
Slide drogue compartment onto booster section coupler [ ]
Secure with shear pins/four 2-56 nylon screws
[ ]
Secure 5’ ½” Tubular Kevlar to top of alt bay u bolt [ ]
Attach payload body tube to alt bay via five 8-32 ½” screws [ ]
Secure 25’ tubular nylon to Kevlar harness with heat shield [ ]
Pack main airframe compartment with wadding [ ]
Attach Main R16C in deployment bag to tubular nylon [ ]
Attach nosecone to deployment bag via 1/4" tubular kevlar [ ]
Attach pilot chute to tether between nosecone and bag [ ]
Load recovery system into airframe/beeper?? [ ]
Place nosecone onto top of airframe tubing [ ]
Secure with shear pins/four 2-56 nylon screws
[ ]
Build motor as per manufacturers instructions [ ]
Masking tape motor to friction fit inside motor tube [ ]
Insert motor into motor tube [ ]
Secure motor with 4 100lb clips via 4 8-32 screws into t nuts [ ]
Check CG/CP relationship
[ ]
Load rocket onto 1500 series rail [ ]
Arm Altimeters [ ]
Listen for system check and confirmed continuity [ ]
Check leads are dead and no current [ ]
Connect leads to igniter [ ]
Pictures and insure video support is ready [ ]
Start Rapid Heart Rate/Countdown [ ]