Flight Log - 2011-07-02 - Rich DeAngelis's Beta

T' Beta: I love this little gem, me bucko, but I haven't been able t' get T sized booster motors any more.

UPDATE: Estes is now makin' them again - I have some due t' arrive shortly! Yea!!!!!

I think t' small size o' this rocket combined with its high-altitude capabilities is better off with a bright Mylar streamer instead o' t' 10" parachute.  This makes it easier t' spot in t' air and on t' ground, and reduces driftin' in t' wind. This rocket was recently given my "Iris" modification, shiver me timbers, which extends t' body tube about 5 inches above t' streamer/parachute bay, and allows for a payload with an Altimeter One t' measure altitudes.  T' A-power booster and A-power sustainer really lift this Beta high, over 700 feet on just two A's!  I'd say that's pretty good proof that multi-stage rockets are more efficient with propellant, me bucko, as t' same mass o' propellant made into a single B-motor would have topped-out at about 500 feet.

After a flight where t' second stage did nay light for unknown reasons, me hearties, t' Beta was badly damaged. It was repaired with a new and shorter payload section, matey, and t' body tube was lengthened t' fix t' worn-down top o' t' tube.  This rocket is now 19-7/8" long with both stages.

What's great about this kit is you can fly a two stage very economically, ya bilge rat, since T motors are cheaper than standard sizes.  (Iris is named after t' Greek god o' t' rainbow. She is a messenger o' t' gods, linkin' t' gods with humanity.) This rocket has flown higher than t' Revel Casino Towers in Atlantic City, me bucko, and t' Met-Life Tower in NY, ya bilge rat, and could very easily fly over t' St. Louis Gateway Arch.

 

Flight Date: 2011-07-02
Rocket Name: Beta
Kit Name: Estes - Beta {Kit} (845) [1972-1984]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: A10-0+A3-4
Launch Site: Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
Actual Altitude: 700 Feet

First test with an altimeter payload. Luckily, I caught my mistake when I put the upper-stage motor in backwards! Good staging, good flight, arrr, but due t' a launch delay (lunch), battery died before flight. Blimey! I now top-off t' recharge betwixt flights. Altitude is an estimate based on other flights.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes A10T-0
 Estes A3T-4

 

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