FWIW, I've flown almost 200 HPR flights, and I've used drogue chutes exactly three times. I've used streamers for some pretty big projects, and the *vast* majority of my shots use nothing at all-- I just break them at apogee.

I'd say for a rocket that weighed 4# or less, no drogue whatsoever is necessary. For one that weighs 4#-15#, a big honkin' streamer works fine. Over 15# I tend to want to use some extra laundry 😉

To me, there is nothing-- and I do mean NOTHING more cool than the sound of a 10' streamer flapping in the wind on a calm morning up at the north site. If it is dead calm, the streamer sounds like a flag getting shredded in high winds. I love that!

Your 110 oz rocket would do great on a streamer. If the rocket is 3" diameter or greater, I have a wonderful streamer that you may borrow if you want to go that route---

I to have done the streamers on my flights as well (some as high as 11 to 14k) as nothing but seperation and airdrag. But with my L3 im still trying to get an idea on a chute for the drouge myself. so for my application I planned on using a 36" drouge chute (a Tac1 chute actually from Giant Leap) As that I am at 55lbs of weight. Im hoping my choice isnt to big but this will be my first real use of a drouge so I understand what you mean.(JW if ya want let me know if you think im to big on my choice) For the size you are flying I wouldnt recomend a drouge Just like John says use a streamer.. Trust me you will be happy. something that small on a drouge would possible if not probabbly drift a ways.

I use a Skyangle 20 for a drogue on my 14lb, 4 inch rocket, and I am planning on using a skyangle 36 on my upcoming 20-25lb project. Honestly, I would lean on the small side of those estimates, or even just use a streamer and you should be fine.

JW, how big is your streamer? WxL? I wouldn't want to impose, so I'll either make one myself out of nylon (or my wife will!) or just buy one. No big deal. I'm more concerned about the decent speed than anything else. Last big one (for me anyway) I flew had a major zipper that I really don't want to repeat.

Thanks.

How long and what is the width of your shock cord? A shock cord thats to short can very easily cause a Zipper on dual deploy. I like my shock cords larger and longer. They take alot of the steam out of a deployment charge. Also what are you using for a altimeter? If programmed like the ARTS it may be deploying late or early.. if not using dual deploy another major factor can be a wrong choice in ejection time on a motor Ejection.

My zipper was do to motor deployment. Too early or too late, I don't know. Kind of weird, because one AT motor (10s) no issue, a bigger AT motor (10s), the big ZIP - probably moving too fast past apogee. My shock cords were about 5x the airframe length (20' or so). Don't remember, but I think they were 1/4" or 3/8" kevlar tube. For my new bird, both drogue and main will be RRC2 controlled. I like the idea of a streamer, but don't really know how to size it to get to about 50'/sec descent rate.

In all honesty, I wouldn't be that concerned about maintaining exactly 50ft/s. It's perfectly fine to be above or below that by a considerable margin, and your rocket will work fine regardless. Just find a suitably large streamer, such as the 4" by 144" nylon one sold by PML, and you will be fine.

JW, how big is your streamer? WxL? I wouldn't want to impose, so I'll either make one myself out of nylon (or my wife will!) or just buy one. No big deal. I'm more concerned about the decent speed than anything else. Last big one (for me anyway) I flew had a major zipper that I really don't want to repeat.

Thanks.

My streamer is perhaps 8" wide x 8' long. You would not be imposing if you borrowed it. This streamer is quite heavy; I had it made. It is about the thickness of a potholder, if you know what I mean. It is bright silver. By my calculations it has about 300K of vertical travel so far :-O

This streamer is quite visible. It terminates in a triangular shape, and it has a gromet for quick link attachment. It is tight in a 3" bird, but I fly it in a 3" rocket all the time. It will indeed come out. 'Tis not a problem to borrow for either your flight or to plagiarize. I'd be flattered...

Thanks john. What is it made of?

Ken.

Thanks john. What is it made of?

Ken.

I bought this really cheesy, shiny fabric that is silver in color. I folded it to the appropriate size and "X" stitched it back and forth the length of the streamer, as well as around the perimeter. I then did a basic triangle fold on one end, and took it to a tent shop and had them put a grommet in the pointy end. Wallah! A full-sized, essentially bulletproof streamer.

I had a bigger one, but it was last seen on the Wimpy Q shot at BALLS last year 😯 I think it burned up during re-entry... It was just like the other one, only this one was 12" wide and 14' or so long.

JW

Very cool! I think I've got it. But the Wimpy Q doesn't sound quite so wimpy. Esp. compared to my WIMPY I. I'd love to fly at BALLS - or even just be there for the experience. Soon I hope...

Thanks.
Ken P.

BALLS is indeed the epicenter of rocketry. If you go once, you will probably never miss it again... The Q was a monster. Whatta thrill to be on the same lakebed as a bird like that!

JW