FlisKits Rhino

FlisKits - Rhino (SP006)

Contributed by Jason Toft

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Length: 24.50 inches
Manufacturer: FlisKits
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

Rocket PicBrief:
A simple, super stable beginners rocket. Perfect for use in classes.

Construction:
In the kit there is:

  • 1 BT-60 tube
  • 1 Balsa NC
  • 2 Fin Stock Sheets
  • 1 Engine mount kit (motor tube, hook, rings, etc.)
  • 1 Adaptable Size Chute
  • A set of miscellaneous items (shockcord, shroud lines, tape disks, screw eye)

I bought ten of these kits to use in a rocket class my friend Eugene and I taught together. As a beginners kit, its large size made it an easy choice by me to pick the Rhino. The instructions were in a easy to follow order, very simple and extremely well illustrated. My students seemed to have no trouble at all, especially because most were building their first rockets!

Building Building

Finishing:
The nose cone is balsa, thus it requires filling. I had my students fill their nose cones with thinned Fill n' Finish, and then they sanded them off. The nose cones looked so much better after that. You also need to seal the balsa fins. I had the students fill them with one coat of sanding sealer. I filled my fins with thinned FNF.

Fins Finished

There are decals, all large and VERY colorful. None of my students, nor Eugene or I, chose to use the decals. They are cut n' peel n' stick.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
The rocket flies PERFECT. Plain and simple.

The rocket flies relatively slow, with maximum altitude on a C6-5 being at about 550 feet. Actually, a C6-3 sims better than the -5.

When my class went out to fly, everyone got two motors. Most people got C6's, but some were issued B6's. The rocket will fly pretty dang good on the B6-4, but it's very slow, yet is PERFECT for a baseball field.

On my students second flight, most of them chose to drag race. I don't think I've EVER seen that many drag races in just about....forever!

Perfect, straight flights every time.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
A very, very good beginners rocket. You are pretty much guaranteed to stay in sight for every flight, and if you had to ask me, it is a good choice over the Estes Alpha if you ever teach a rocketry class.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • FlisKits Rhino By Clive Davis

    Background: This spring I ran a build session for faculty kids at the school where I teach. I ended up using the Quest Bright Hawk for the 7-9 year olds and the Quest Big Betty for the 10-12 year olds. After the build session, I began thinking about the types of rockets that would make great first builds for a budding rocketeer. I wanted to select rockets to compare that had the ...

  • FlisKits Rhino By Scott Oblander

    Brief: Skill level 1, 4FNC rocket, parachute recovery Construction: 1 Balsa Nose Cone 1 18" BT-60 body tube 4 1/8" laser cut balsa fins 2 2" launch lugs 1 30" shock cord 1 screw eye 1 18mm motor mount kit w/ fiber centering rings peel 'n' stick decal set 1 16" parachute The instructions were very good and easy to follow. I ...

Flights

Comments:

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S.E.O. (October 21, 2003)
After four flights with this rocket, I am considering lengthening the shock cord, I have gotten two nose cone "smilies".
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G.B. (June 10, 2008)
I've always wanted to know how many flights I could get on one model before it "wears out". I've been inspired by a fellow SPAAR member who has a Big Bertha from the late 60's that has zillions of flights on it -well a lot, anyway. I'm up to nine on my Rhino, and aside from some chipped paint, she's still going...
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J.F.B. (October 27, 2008)
Top quality kit that's easy to build. The balsa for the fins nice hard stock, and the balsa cone was perfect as well. Instructions provided with the kit would assist even a raw beginner through the building process. The Rhino is a solid performer. Another great product from FlisKits.

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