Flight Log - 2011-10-02 - 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: 2011-10-02
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: 201.00 Feet

First flight with an Altimeter 2 on board! Moderate winds but didn't seem to affect the liftoff very much. Reached a top speed of 71 mph with a motor burn of 0.8 seconds.  The average acceleration was 3.9 Gs with a peak of 11.6 Gs. It coasted to an apogee of 201 feet in 2.8 seconds, then headed back down for another 1.1 seconds before ejection of the 3' plastic streamer. The ejection was 15 feet below apogee. The model then descended at 15 mph and landed nearby in grass. Total flight time was 12.3 seconds. Overall a good flight and a nice trial of the Altimeter Two, but too cold that day so I packed up and left with a smile on my face, hoping for many more flights with detailed information to analyze.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes A3T-4

 

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