I'm hoping to fly my entry in the I165 altitude contest this weekend and I was looking at the valid altimeters. The contest specifies we use a NAR approved altimeter but that seems pretty restrictive. My Raven 2 is approved by it has stopped working. The only other valid choice is my Jolly Logic but I really want tracking so would prefer to fly my Telemetrum. Unfortunately that isn't valid. Given the altitude we're looking at I'd prefer tracking and dual deployment, both of which could be handled with the Telemetrum. If I have to I'll throw the Jolly Logic in there but that will take up more space in what is looking to be a very tight airframe (only break is at the nose cone).
Anyhow, is there any possibility of getting all AltusMetrum altimeters deemed "valid" or do I just have to suck it up and fly with both?
Thanks
Ted
Ted,
I'll make an executive decision here and allow the Telemetrum GPS altimeter.
My intent in using NAR approved altimeters was to avoid sub standard or primitive altimeters, not to prevent quality GPS altimeters from being used.
Chad
Bravo! Besides, this is a NCR contest, not something we've taken nationally.
Thought I'd post a little info on my flight.
I got 9218 feet! Awesome.
I really think it's beatable. Here's what I did, and didn't do.
I made my own body tube using 2 wraps of some 6oz carbon fiber cloth that the boys gave me a few Christmas's ago. I used West Systems with the fast hardener (I'm that way) and some peel ply. No vacuum bag. I used a 6XL case for the mandril with some mold release wax and a couple wraps of wax paper because I'd never done a tube before. It was really easy and came right off. Trimmed an end and adjusted the length to the minimum contest length taking into account the nose cone had about an 1" at full diameter.
I made fins from 1/8" G10 in the same shape/size as the Mad Cow Tomach. I beveled them back about a 1/4" at 10 degrees using a simple jib and my benchtop belt sander.
I did very small fillets and then added one layer of 6oz carbon fiber tip-to-tip smoothing it with peel ply.
I was going to use the nose cone from my Tomach but it didn't want to fit (to tight) but my Formula 54 nosecone fit great so there's an opportunity to improve upon!
My sanding and final finish was yet another area that could be improved upon. Additionally I would consider simulating a longer tube to reduce the nose weight needed. I had to add several ounces to get a caliber of stability.
I flew the rocket out of the club tower which saw 3 or 4 other flights on that Saturday.
As mentioned, I used a Telemetrum so I had dual-deploy and tracking. Highly recommended as we lost sight of the rocket long before apogee. I opted for dual-deploy using an Archtype Cable Cutter. I wrapped the main in a nomex burrito and secured it with the cable tie through the cutter. The cutter was only about 3 inches from the nose cone and was easily the cleanest dual deploy design I've flown. It worked perfectly, too.
Almost forgot, I used the CTI tapered closure which I think is necessary to get anywhere close to this altitude.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Ted
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