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: | 2013-01-13 |
| Rocket Name: | Aero-Hi |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Aero-Hi {Kit} (817) [1973-1974] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | 1/2A3-2 |
| Expected Altitude: | 96.00 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 5.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 97.00 Feet |
This second flight used the same motor. This motor seemed to have more energy and accelerated at 13.1 Gs, averaging 5.5 for the 4/10 second burn. It flew slightly faster, reaching 44 mph and then coasted for another 2.1 seconds. The ejection delay was only slightly too-long at 2.1 seconds, and ejection occurred while still coasting up at 93 feet, so the rocket stopped its upwards climb 1/10 second later at an apogee of 97 feet.
The parachute did not deploy, and wadding was stuck in the tube, so the rocket fell at 21 mph and the flight was over in 5.2 seconds. There was no damage to this small, light rocket though. The good part about this flight was that I literally had to take only one step forward to retrieve the rocket, as it fell right in front of my feet! That has to be some sort of record!
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes 1/2A3T-2 |
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