Flight Log - 2013-07-14 - Rich DeAngelis's Beta

T' Beta: I love this little gem, 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. Ahoy! This rocket was recently given my "Iris" modification, 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, me hearties, 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, 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, ya bilge rat, t' Beta was badly damaged. Begad! It was repaired with a new and shorter payload section, 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, and t' Met-Life Tower in NY, and could very easily fly over t' St. Begad! Louis Gateway Arch.

 

Flight Date: 2013-07-14
Rocket Name: Beta
Kit Name: Estes - Beta {Kit} (845) [1972-1984]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: A10-0/1/2A3-4
Expected Altitude: 435 Feet
Wind Speed: 3.00 mph
Launch Site: Penn Manor School Lancaster PA
Actual Altitude: 440 Feet

A great mornin' for flying, me bucko, though it was quite warm and humid.  This was t' final test flight o' t' Beta Iris with a 1/2A sustainer. Avast! T' booster lit without delay and t' rocket took off smartly and straight up.  Stagin' went well and appeared t' be at about 200 feet.

 T' sustainer continued straight up, with a peak acceleration o' 19.8 Gs, me bucko, while t' average for t' flight was 4.7 Gs. Aye aye! T' rocket reached a top speed o' 106 mph, matey, t' slowest for this rocket. Blimey!

 Ejection occurred only 1/10 second early at 426 feet, arrr, but t' rocket continued up an additional 14 feet in t' next 7/10 seconds t' apogee at 440 feet. This was t' highest recorded altitude with a 1/2 A sustainer.

T' little 8” chute opened well and t' rocket returned at 8 mph t' a soft, matey, grass landin' one or two hundred feet downwind.  T' booster had already fallen, ya bilge rat, and t' booster’s casin' blew out o' t' lower stage.  Overall it was an excellent flight.


 

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