by Kevin Johnson | Sep 2, 2016 | Events, FAI, Rocketry, Uncategorized
Members from District IV joined space modelers from around the country to represent the USA in the recent FAI World Championships held in Lviv, Ukraine from 8/24- 8/30. The contest consisted of flying multiple space modeling disciplines to determine the best individual and teams in each event. The US team consisted of 39 fliers and supporters, in both the junior (under 18) and senior divisions. Each event category is flown by a team of up to 3 pilots. Each day of the contest has 2 events for the seniors and 2 events for the juniors. The same 8 categories are normally flown: S1- Altitude. Who goes the highest, using an electronic altimeter to score the flights. S3- Parachute duration. Use 2 models to fly 3 times, try and score a 5 minute max. S4- Boost glider duration. A rocket-powered, free-flight glider, 3 minute max. S5- Scale altitude. Model a real rocket, then see who goes the highest, scale score + altitude = place. S6- Streamer duration. Use 2 models to fly 3 times, try and score a 3 minute max. S7- Scale. Build a replica of a real rocket, and make a successful flight. S8- RC rocket glider. Rocket powered thermal seeking gliders. District IV attendees were: Stoil Avramov from MD flying Jr S2P, S3, S4 and S8D Dimitre Avramov from MD as a supporter Jim Filler from MD flying Sr S3 and S5 Kevin Johnson from MD flying Sr S8E John Langford from VA Sr Team Manager Jay Marsh from NC flying Sr S6 Dave O’Bryan from MD flying Sr S4 and S6 Ed Pearson from MD FAI...
by Kevin Johnson | Dec 4, 2015 | Rocketry
One of the barriers in combining the RC and model rocket hobbies has been the lack of affordable well flying kits that anyone can put together. In the past, Estes and Aerotech have both offered kits for building radio controlled rocket gliders (RCRG) but they never really caught on because the kits were fairly difficult to work with, or ended up being too heavy for the available motors and performance suffered. A new company based out of Oregon has changed that. Dynasoar Rocketry has created a line of depron foam kits that can be flown on 24mm rocket motors, or as pusher type park jets with an adaptor. Designer Frank Burke says his design philosopy is simple: “Make things that fly well, are simple to build, and that look like a real airplane or rocketplane. I prefer the profile designs because they are simple and light, will penetrate the wind quite well, but land like a feather” Since there is no airfoil to the wings, the models can boost straight up with neutral controls without any tendency to pitch or climb. This means they can launch from a normal rail or rod and require minimal control on boost to adjust for any wind. Once the motor burns out, they are slightly nose heavy and require a small amount of up trim for a stable glide. The motor is not ejected and the model recovers ready to fly immediately. The kits sell for $48.00 and two kits will fit in a box to ship for...
by Kevin Johnson | Oct 6, 2015 | Rocketry
One of the most sought after model rockets from the “golden era” of kit manufacture is getting a new version. The original Little Joe II version released by Centuri has long been the holy grail for many collectors. Now Estes has created a new version with added detail that will sure to be a big seller. Set to release in late December, the new skill level 4 kit features molded plastic fins, vacuum formed plastic body wraps, detailed escape tower, plastic molded dummy nozzles, and a 25mm motor mount for D12 power. The real Little Joe II was used during the Apollo program to test the escape rockets for the crew capsule. Here are the photos released on http://www.estesrockets.com of the new...
by Kevin Johnson | Sep 25, 2015 | Rocketry
An international rocket contest was held September 19-20 at The Plains, Va. This contest is held every two years as a practice event for the USA Spacemodeling Team prior to the World Spacemodeling Championship. Events included small glider free flight (FAI S4A) and RC glider precision duration and landing (FAI S8E/P) in addition to parachute duration (FAI S3A), streamer duration (FAI S6A), and gyrocopter duration (FAI S9A). Also the FAI S2P precision payload altitude and duration event was held- this is analogous to the Team America Rocketry Challenge event. Participants were from Bulgaria, Canada and the U.S. Thanks to former USA Spacemodeling Team Manager Ed Pearson for the photos of the...
by Kevin Johnson | May 14, 2015 | Rocketry
Model rocketry as a hobby activity has been around for over 50 years. Prior to that there were amateur rocketry societies and individuals experimenting with rocket propulsion, but it took the availability of commercially available solid rocket motors to propel the hobby into the mainstream as a safe, educational activity. It has been estimated that since the late 1950’s well over a million model rockets have lifted off from school yards, athletic fields and backyards across the country. The AMA covers model rockets in its National Model Aircraft Safety Code, so as long as you follow the code, you can enjoy flying model rockets, or using model rocket motors in your RC projects at your local flying field. Beyond the simple thrill of a rocket flight- the fire and smoke of liftoff, the rapid ascent to a dizzying altitude, holding your breath as the model coasts over the top and waiting for the parachute to deploy, and the gentle floating recovery to earth- AMA members can construct advanced electronic payloads to measure performance or modify the flight path of the model, construct and fly scale models of rocket powered aircraft, or compete in FAI sanctioned contests that pit the modeler’s skill against the best international competitors from around the world. I hope to cover a little bit of each of these topics in future articles, and hope that you come along for the ride. Hopefully we can expand the model rocketry hobby across the district and find ways to integrate rocketry into your club...
