Hey Greg. Typically, Dual Deploy refers to a recovery setup where there is an event at apogee, which seperates the rocket into 2 parts (still connected by some type of harness) and may or may not deploy some type of drag device which allows the rocket to descend fairly rapidly, but in control, then a second event at a predetermined altitude, which deploys the main parachute. This type of recovery requires the use of an altimeter, or a remote controlled device to activate the charges. The benefit is that you can fly to higher altitudes but get closer recovery because the rocket descends much faster. Less time in the air equals less drift.

Keep in mind that there are probably tons of different ways to do it, but I think the above description gives a fairly standard idea of what is supposed to happen.

Thanks, Brett, that's what I was afriad of - sounds like a lot of room for mistakes and lost rockets. Seems like a newbie like me should keep it simple a little longer. What do you think?

I think it is a natural transition in Rocketry. Wise I think to get a few
flights out of the way first.

I will be flying my first at MHM. I am confident that I have studied,
and asked enough questions on this forum to have a sucsesful flight.

I took 2 years to buy what was needed. A little at a time with great
advise before purchasing.

I will be flying for my level 1 at MHM. I will not be using the dual for that.

Out of 8 birds I will be flying, only one is dual.

Great fun to learn and build.

There is alot of room for mistakes, but with a good design, sound planning (ground testing, etc) and a little bit of nerve for your first flight, it's fairly easy and really fun to do. And don't forget all of the advice you'll get via these posts. I'd say go for it - no risk no reward. There are plenty of good designs out there, but the key is to REALLY understand how all of the pieces fit together - the electronics, the ejection charges, ematches, etc. A successfull first DD is one of the great experiences of rocketry IMO. Look me up at MHM, I'll show how my DD system works.

Ken.

For the record, Ken nailed it perfectly on his L2 flight. He knows. Take a look at avionic's bays (ebays) at MHM. There isn't anyone who won't show you the way they do it. Now you're stepping into the area of many variables... have fun! As Ken said GO FOR IT!

I'd be glad to show you what I do for dual deploy. It is one of those things that is easier to show you than explain to you, if you know what I mean. If you are up near Ft. Collins at any time, stop by and I'll lend you some rockets if you'd like. I am by no means the expert in this department -- there are many NCR flyers who can help you here.

I think it is indeed a natural progression in our hobby; it adds a layer of difficulty / finesse / etc. that is pretty cool. I remember my first dual deploy like it was yesterday.... Since then, I've probably flown 150+ DD flights over the years. I'd say at least 19 out of every 20 flights I do these days is dual deploy.

As usual, there are many ways to skin a cat, so to speak. There are many efficient designs... find one that you like and tweak it.

JW

Thanks, guys, it sounds to me like I should hold off on dual deploy for a little while - sounds like fun, but complicated and lots of hardware required - can't really afford to do all that at once (rocket plus electronics plus ...).
What I thought this was, that I'd be interested in, is a rocket where the cone and tail seperate and come down independantly on seperate chutes. What's this called? And what are the benefits or drawbacks of this kind of setup?

Thanks,

Greg

Thanks, guys, it sounds to me like I should hold off on dual deploy for a little while - sounds like fun, but complicated and lots of hardware required - can't really afford to do all that at once (rocket plus electronics plus ...).
What I thought this was, that I'd be interested in, is a rocket where the cone and tail seperate and come down independantly on seperate chutes. What's this called? And what are the benefits or drawbacks of this kind of setup?

Thanks,

Greg

Dual Deploy is an apogee event that breaks the rocket apart, allowing it to tumble freely with or w/o a drogue chute. At a pre-defined altitude, the main chute is fired. DD allows for dropping a rocket *quickly*, generally about 50-60 fps, until it is lower. This minimizes drift, shortens the flight time, and it just down right cool.

Splitting the two sections at apogee doesn't really have a name, per se. At least none that I am aware of.

The advantages of DD are that the rocket typically comes back closer, and you are less prone to lose it by having it drift away. Different folks will have different opinions, but I personally like to do a DD shot if I am flying a rocket that gets out of sight. But that is just me...

Spiltting a rocket apart at Apogee might be called Seperation Anxiety. Both parts would need to have recovery devices attached per Safety Codes and a benefit is then watching two objects defy gravity, for awhile anyway, and a drawback would be recovering two objects that defied gravity for awhile anyway and drifted apart.

In my personal experience, I wish I'd done my L2 with DD. NAR doesn't require it; don't know about TRA. Ground testing is the key. You WILL have to get the hang of it at some time. Do it as soon as you're ready. MHM is going to be fantastic this year! Just keep an eye out on what's going on and ask questions. IMO, MWC and the Perfectflite MAWD offer VERY reliable electronics. Jim Amos should be there. He's a good rocket guy to ask questions on electronics.

I did my L2 with dual deploy and redundant altimeters, charges and e-matches. I wanted to make sure I could do it before I started spending money on an L3 project.

Warren