Bdale Garbee [Tue, 23 May 2017 18:28:34 +0000 (12:28 -0600)]
First and only flight of Robert's 1/2-scale Maverick on a K740 at Hudson Ranch
Airframe suffered a ballistic return, looks like apogee charge fired but nose
did not detach.
first-ever TeleFireTwo test stand runs from Tripoli Colorado launch
flight 11 is an old 38mm 4-grain KNER in Aerotech 38/720 case,
pyrogen burned instantly, motor took a long time to burn for real
flight 12 is an old Aerotech H123W 2-grain 38mm reload
flight 14 is an old Aerotech H112J 3-grain 38mm reload
Bdale Garbee [Sat, 1 Oct 2016 22:38:45 +0000 (16:38 -0600)]
"travel rocket" at Hartsel with 5 38mm grains of KNER, using a GMA nozzle
with 7.5mm throat, nearly straight exit "cone". Was slow to light,
nominal flight, no damage.
Bdale Garbee [Wed, 29 Jun 2016 23:03:48 +0000 (17:03 -0600)]
I55 flight in travel rocket at NRVR launch - same day N4HY L1 cert happened
Motor burned through the forward closure near the end of the predicted burn
time, causing apogee charge to ignite, causing separation and fire damage to
the aft airframe piece. Electronics recovered under main chute unharmed.
Bdale Garbee [Fri, 24 Jan 2014 06:49:33 +0000 (23:49 -0700)]
Bdale's Hawk Mountain Raptor kit-bash on a CTI H255 White Thunder
at Hudson Ranch. Looks like motor eject and TM v1.9 apogee charges
went together, shock cord pulled off aft end of the ebay. Power
switch got dislodged and pushed in the event, so nothing after
apogee. Recovered ebay, main bay, and nose cone with un-fired main
charge. Fin can not recovered.
Bdale Garbee [Fri, 24 Jan 2014 06:38:51 +0000 (23:38 -0700)]
Bdale's orange and black G3 airframe with a production TeleMega,
at Hudson Ranch flying on a CT K530SS. Main shook out at apogee, looks
like the motor backup and Tmega apogee charges fired close together. Main
charge fired at 250m as expected, puff was visible in binocs. Airframe
landed in the middle of the highway, one fin knocked loose and some road
rash on the airframe. All fixable. Ebay contents perfectly fine.
Bdale Garbee [Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:52:25 +0000 (20:52 -0700)]
Robert's successful NAR Junior L1 cert!
He brought his Lil Nuke out of retirement for the event, and flew on an
Aerotech H165R. Beautiful flight, ejection appeared to be shortly before
apogee, PFND.
Bdale Garbee [Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:51:00 +0000 (20:51 -0700)]
Sharp Stick at Hudson Ranch on an ancient Aerotech I211W, PFND.
This was a test of new GPS firmware from SkyTraq .. lag is gone, but it still
can't handle rapid Z translation. Oh well.
Keith Packard [Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:04:31 +0000 (18:04 -0800)]
First real test flights of MicroPeak
Various rockets flown on A-C motors in Wilsonville.
There are some unexpected results, mostly where the landing height is
significantly off (5-10m). The rockets were launched from about 1m
agl, so some error is understandable. The pads were in sun at times,
and most of the rockets had transparent ebays, so perhaps the readings
were affected by light.
Keith Packard [Sat, 8 Dec 2012 23:48:22 +0000 (15:48 -0800)]
Keith's Mini Mmuchness on H140 at OROC Fillible's Folly
Flying TM sn 341 (v1.1). Battery measured 3.79V on the rail, and while
the drogue event occurred normally, the main event caused the computer
to reboot.
Bdale Garbee [Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:43:03 +0000 (08:43 -0700)]
Steve Klausmeyer flights
Flight 1: Competitor 4 - 76mm motor with 20 in propellant - Wayside White
Flight 2: Competitor 4 - 76mm motor with 20 in propellant - Slow Blonde
Flight 3: Eagle Claw 4 - 54mm motor with 25 in propellant - Wayside White
motor blew the nozzle shortly after liftoff
Flight 4: Competitor 4 - 76mm motor with 20 in propellant - Slow Blonde
Flight 5: Eagle Claw 4 - 54mm motor with 21 in propellant - Slow Blonde
Bdale's Cherokee D Upscale, Tripoli Colorado Fall Frenzy 2012
This was a kit developed by John Boren as a club project for SCORE
a couple of years ago. Bdale finally finished his, and this was its
first flight, on a Cesaroni 108G68 White. Beautiful flight! Landed
near some horses, who studied it with great curiosity until Bdale was
able to retrieve it... PFND.
Robert's Maverick, Tripoli Colorado Fall Frenzy 2012
This was the Maverick's third flight, on a very old Aerotech I154J reload
using TeleMini for apogee electronic deployment only with no backup... the
reload was built using a plugged forward closure. This really isn't enough
thrust for the airframe, as the rocket layed over about 50 degrees from
vertical off the rail and took off to the East. TeleMini did the right
thing, and the build is stout enough that the airframe was recovered with
no damage whatsoever! Bottom line is that we probably want at least 200 N
average thrust, and a good kick off the rail, for this rocket to fly safely.
Robert's Maverick, Tripoli Colorado Fall Frenzy 2012
Second flight, this time on a Cesaroni 364I212SS, again with TeleMini for
apogee electronic deployment and motor backup. This was a much better motor
for the Maverick than the H! PFND
Robert's Maverick, Tripoli Colorado Fall Fling 2012, first flight!
Robert passed the Tripoli Mentoring Program test first-thing with a perfect
score. We think he's the first Colorado resident to qualify for TMP, and
perhaps the youngest person anywhere to date. He celbrated the creation of
the mentoring program by building a 1/3 scale Maverick missile that can not
fly safely on anything but high-power motors. This was the missile's first
flight.
Cesaroni 247H143SS using a TeleMini for apogee electronic deployment with
motor backup. PFND.