Tag: rocketry
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Level 2 Certification
A Little Background Soon after I got my Level 1 high-power certification in March of 2011, I started planning for my Level 2. I knew it was a good idea to just keep logging flights and gaining experience. But a few months later, at my first flight with Tripoli Central CA, I experienced my first…
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Simple Modular System for Avionics Bay Sleds
This is a quick post about a new design we’re playing with for avionics bay sleds that is lighter and more modular than my original design. I’m using the Fortissimo rocket (LEA-6) to experiment with some ideas. This is actually a Binder Excel kit with the dual deploy option that can fly in a short…
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Questions & Answers
One of the reasons I stalled on my L2 build was because I had to make some key decisions about the recovery system and was looking for some guidance from a more experienced builder. I thought it would be easiest to corner a friendly L2+ flyer and pester them with questions until they cried “uncle”. A…
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O-Ring Failure
My last launch was almost four years ago. At the time I was newly certified at L1 and excited to get more mid- to high-power flights under my belt. It was July so Snow Ranch was in its off season. I drove down to Maddox Ranch to join the Tripoli Central CA club for a…
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Fin Alignment Jig
Here is a quick look at the fin alignment jig I made for my L2 rocket build. I wasn’t keen on the standard approach, where you eyeball down the fin to make sure it aligns with a printed template – that always seemed hokey to me. This was a relatively quick build. I drew it…
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Journey to Level 2
It’s been several years since I attended a launch. Back in July 2011, I experienced my first major launch failure when my first L1 rocket shredded at high speed during ascent (more on that later). It was only my third high-power flight, and I was bummed by the setback. But I picked up the pieces…