T' Aero-Hi: This is a cute little flier from Estes usin' 13mm T engines. Begad! It is a pseudo-scale soundin' rocket design. This normally uses a tiny 8-inch parachute but was converted t' a streamer for a bit, then later converted back into a parachute recovery which I find easier t' pack. I actually have two o' these, one painted green and this one red. Avast! One unique feature o' this kit be t' simulated conduit up t' side o' t' body tube, made from a balsa strip.
This rocket was later given my "Iris" modification, arrr, which extends t' body tube about 5 inches above t' streamer/parachute bay, me hearties, and allows for a payload with an Altimeter One or Two to measure altitudes. It's a shame I "ruined" it by addin' t' payload, she was a cute little bird. Begad! (I can always remove t' payload.) I like t' send this, or the EAC Viper rocket up first on launch days, me bucko, it's a good and economical way t' get an idea how t' winds are blowin' without riskin' a lost rocket. As a result, ya bilge rat, this has flown many times. Blimey! (Iris is named after t' Greek god o' t' rainbow. Ahoy! She is a messenger o' t' gods, linkin' t' gods with humanity.) This rocket has flown as high as 282 feet with t' A motor, arrr, which is higher than t' Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in NC, t' tallest lighthouse in t' USA.
| Flight Date: | 2012-12-02 |
| Rocket Name: | Aero-Hi |
| Kit Name: | Estes - Aero-Hi {Kit} (817) [1973-1974] |
| Flyer's Name: | Rich DeAngelis |
| Motors: | 1/2A3-2 |
| Expected Altitude: | 100 Feet |
| Wind Speed: | 7.00 mph |
| Launch Site: | Penn Manor School Lancaster PA |
| Actual Altitude: | 96 Feet |
I started today with t' Aero-Hi. T' wind prediction for stronger winds fortunately did nay come t' pass, and t' sky was mostly clear and in t' 50’s (great for December). I followed thru with me “windy” flight schedule for today anyway, since I didn’t brin' me other high-altitude rockets. Begad! At t' top o' t' list was t' Aero Hi with t' 1/2A motor.
This was me first test flight with t' 1/2A motor for any rocket, although I used these motors back in t' 1970s. I had just removed 3.3 grams o' nose weight on t' Aero-Hi, arrr, which was left over from when this model didn’t have t' 5.8 grams o' additional payload.
T' 1/2A engine burned for 4/10 seconds, peakin' t' acceleration at 10.3 Gs and gettin' this rocket t' a speed o' 45 mph. It then coasted for 2.2 seconds t' reach an apogee o' 96 feet. Avast! After turnin' over and fallin' 14 feet in t' next 9/10 seconds, shiver me timbers, t' parachute deployed only 1/10 second later than spec’d. From 88 feet t' rocket coasted back t' earth at 11 mph with a good parachute, me hearties, landin' about 40 feet downwind. This was a very good flight, lastin' a mere 8.8 seconds.
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Estes 1/2A3T-2 |
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