Adrian

There’s a feature in the simulation area where you can run the mass optimizer. The problem is that it is horrible at finding the optimal mass. I have found it’s better just to adjust your nose weight and re-run it…   Read more»

So has anyone ever done any testing with a DC20 or DC30 next to the raven with ematches attached? I’m thinking about making an AV bay with both devices next to eachother but wanted to check and see if it…   Read more»

First, let me preface by emphasizing that the only way to really know is with a ground test. Go through a simulated flight and look at the real-time data (since the baro data isn’t real in the simulation) and compare…   Read more»

The types I have used are teflon-coated fiberglass, and coated polyester. The FG is nice and flat and smooth, but it doesn’t conform to shapes with compound curves much at all, so I’d only use that for flat plates and…   Read more»

Upon looking more closely, I discovered that the $8 per piece cost for the 3-axis gyro only applies when buying 100 reels of 5000 pieces, not 100 pieces. And at Sparkfun prices I think that would jack up the new…   Read more»

In an ideal world, what I’m looking for is sort of an enhanced Telemetrum with 3-axis accel, rate gyro, mag sensor, temp and humidity sensors and a 100K capable baro sensor – not to mention extended radio range to provide…   Read more»

I got a hot-air rework tool a few months ago, and since then I haven’t used my soldering iron much. You can squeeze out some solder paste through a syringe, smear it over all the pads, and it will ball…   Read more»

Greywolves. I friction fit all of my motors in min dia rockets. Here is a link to a 5″ P that was friction fitted.Bingo. You have relatively few options for motor retention in a min dia rocket. Tape is a…   Read more»

Tony, is the nosecone deployment you’re describing for a single apogee deployment, or if it’s dual-deployment, how does that work?Thanks.-Adrian

And congrats to John Wilke whose I216 flight was officially recognized on the Tripoli record site, too.

I decided to abandon the KISS philosophy and go with what I was excited to build, attempt and fly…. and am nevertheless still working on the L3 cert. 2 attempts, a complete loss and a second purchase/ build of a…   Read more»

I use a cheap ($59.00) tile saw with a diamond blade ($20.00) both from Harbor Freight. Works well wet, as I do not like FG dust.I do have a large disk sander to square the edges.I know someone who uses…   Read more»

Plasticare might. I have seen a few braided tapes and maybe some sleeves there. But it’s not a very complete selection. You could call first. Otherwise, Soller composites is great for mail-order sleeves, both for selection and price. In fact,…   Read more»

Personally, I don’t see much point in trying to make a stability rule of thumb in terms of calibers. It’s too conservative for fat rockets and too aggressive for long, skinny rockets. If your stability margin is 10% of the…   Read more»

Yeah, the forecast is leaving us high and dry for the rest of the week, with the skies Wednesday through Saturday predicted to be clear, clear, clear and clear.

The radar is showing a nice-looking band of showers streaming over the launch site now. The Cheyenne radar is estimating over 1″ so far.

Sorry to hear that it didn’t work out. The BATFE ruling has really pulled the rug out from the hybrid market.

Yeah, that should work for tracking. It’s a scanner, so you’re only receiving and not transmitting, but that’s o.k. for radio direction finding.

Wow, that’s cool. Looking forward to seeing it fly.-Adrian

as it flows well. Aeropoxy makes nice fillets. It does take a long time to cure.But I build slowly, taking days to fillet a rocket as I can only do one set of fin fillets per night.It takes about 6…   Read more»