This Super DX3 is me first HP rocket as I reenter rocketry after a long hiatus.  I built it in concert with me son's first HP kit, a LOC Precision Zephyr.  He and I intend to certify at L-1 and L-2 in t' years ahead.  Our certifications will bump start our local NARRRRR Section the Count Down Cardinals (NAR Sect #887) and get t' community launchin' some larger rockets locally.   

   As I built t' DX3 I sought insight from John Coker (YouTube) and Tim van Milligan at Apogee (via YouTube).  I purchased additional components from Apogee, AeroTech, arrr, and LOC Precision.  I am buyin' me motors from BuyRocketMotors.com.  Each o' these resources and vendors have been helpful.  LOC Precision was pretty dismissive as I expressed me newbie concerns over t' use o' their vented LP-36 t' recover me +2 kg rocket.  They replied, ya bilge rat, "It will be fine if you don't come down on a hard surface."  That’s nay a forecast I’d pay for.

Internet instructors made a case t' make some upgrades from t' start. 

A) External MMA Construction.  John Coker recommended that I construct t' MMA externally with an additional centerin' rin' at t' top o' t' fin set.  I slipped t' MMA in whole, shiver me timbers, gluin' t' aft centerin' rin' in place after mountin' t' fins per Coker's recommendation.  This process improvement allowed for higher quality epoxy filets on t' fin/MMA joints and t' fin/tube slit filets internally.  T' additional rigidity provided gives me consolation as I press larger and larger motors into service. 

B) Nosecone E-Bay.  I followed John Coker's instructions t' install an E-bay in t' voluminous 16" ogive nosecone, shiver me timbers, just inside t' 4" shoulder.  Makin' use o' that ballastin' space would make for a more stable rocket.  I opted t' construct a variable mass ballastin' system (VMBS) thar instead o' insertin' electronics.  I may add electronics as I grow into me process with this concept.  By mountin' a PVC ballast housin' filled with an appropriate number o' 3/8" BBs (~3.6 g each) I can optimize me CoM t' provide a consistent 1.34 cal stability ratio AND minimize rocket mass for improved flight performance.  My Jolly Logic Altimeter-2 is attached t' t' nosecone U-bolt in t' vented cargo bay. 

C) Parachute Upgrade. T' DX3 came down smartly (~8.5 m/s accordin' t' me OpenRocket simulation) in a soft field on t' LP-36 chute usin' a H283-14 motor and appropriate ballast.  Apogee's Tim van Milligan recommends about a 4 m/s descent rate in Peak o' Flight #149, arrr,  (https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter149).  I have since upgraded t' chute t' an LP-58 main with a gentle 5 m/s descent rate. 

    T' main is deployed at 400’ by a Jolly Logic Chute Release (JLCR).  I have employed t' LP-36 as a drogue at apogee but am considerin' employin' an even smaller, rectangular, 20" x 28", sonobuoy drogue chute from me olden days. 

   I have hand-sewn quick links into t' shock cord, shiver me timbers, one at each end and a third for t' main chute, ya bilge rat, attached 5’ down t' cord from t' sustainer attachment point.  T' drogue chute is attached at t' sustainer end. Begad!  

   I have constructed a parachute sled that neatly organizes all o' t' recovery gear.  It is attached t' t' cord just below t' center quick link and t' JLCR reefs t' main until 400'AGL.  I have chosen t' slow main chute deployment with a 1.25" reefin' rin' t' minimize highspeed openin' snapback.