Some Thoughts On Flying The Estes Solo

On Sunday, January 26th, I launched a recently-built Solo on its maiden flight.  The kit face card and instructions specify only one motor for flight: a C6-3.
Not knowing what to expect with this model in terms of altitude and glider behavior, I was reluctant to shove a C motor in it for flight at the particular field which I frequent.
Instead, I chose to go with a B6-4. This was not the best selection for a B motor.  The model boosted nicely, turned over, and started streaking downward for at least half of the delay period.  Here is a picture of its ballistic descent:

By the time the ejection charge popped, the model was traveling at a pretty good clip:

All turned out well, however - the booster parachute deployed while the ring glider separated and settled into a good steady glide.

On my next outing with the Solo, I plan to switch to B motors with a two second delay.  I will likely fly the model twice - once on a B4, and again on a B6 to determine which would give the optimum performance.

One thing is for certain: the Estes Solo is a fun rocket to fly, and a real crowd pleaser!

Launch Date: January 26th, 2020, Part 3

This is the third and final post covering this event.  Let us jump right in....

Jim Gazur was the only rocketeer on the field going with high-tech flights.  This is a D12 powered test rocket for a dual deployment system he is working on.  The model carried a Stratologger Altimeter set to activate the main parachute at 100 feet.

This unusual model is a Quest DC-Y
built by Mike Goss.  The model turned in an excellent flight, returning in two separate parts.

Jesse Ulibarri concentrates on hooking up his scale D-Region Tomahawk.  The model was powered by an E12-6 motor.  Jesse may very well be the first rocketeer to fly an E motor at Dove Valley!

The start of a perfect flight for the Tomahawk

My Estes Lynx ready to go for its tenth launch.

Straight as an arrow on an A10 motor.  The model turned in a perfect flight and recovery.

Other models flown not shown in this post series:

Estes Mini Brute Hornet- A3-4T, Ed Mitton
Estes Ricochet, A10-3T, Lee Reep
Super Alpha, C6-5, Jesse Ulibarri

Thanks for looking!

Launch Date: January 26th, 2020, Part 2

Another set of pictures from this most excellent Colorado winter launch:

Jim Gazur's Micro Enerjet 2250 with 3 B14 motors blazing!

Another B14 flight!  Lee Reep flew this two stage model with a vintage 1969 B14-0 in the booster 

and a B6-6 in the upper stage.

Another impressive liftoff.

The model came down fast on a streamer and took a 'core sample'.

No worries, though, the landing spot was the soft sand of a nearby volleyball pit.  No damage!

Mike Goss's Quest Icarus takes to the skies for a very nice flight.

A whole lotta' preppin' goin' on...Left to right:  Jim Gazur, Mike Goss, Jesse Ulibarrii, Ed Mitton, and Lee Reep.  

Serious rocketeers doing serious rocketry, indeed!

Jesse Ulibarri launched an Executioner for a very nice flight on a D12-5 motor.

My Griffin-2 and Estes Firefly parasite glider set to take off.

The tandem lifts off for a very nice boost on B4-2 power.
The Firefly separated and flew beautifully, but could not be found after an extensive search.  This was the only model lost this afternoon.  The Griffin was recovered successfully.

Mike Goss flew a beautifully built Estes Sizzler
on a B4-2 motor.

Perfect lift-off.....

...and recovery!

STILL MORE TO COME.

CHECK BACK AGAIN FOR PART 3.

Launch Date: January 26th, 2020, Part 1

A little over a week ago, I was joined by several Colorado front range rocketeers to get out and take advantage of some excellent weather conditions. The event took place at Dove Valley Regional Park in Centennial, and was attended by Jim Gazur, Lee Reep, Mike Goss, and Jesse Ulibarri.

The weather was perfect for January - temperature in the high 50s and little to no wind. With the conditions being so favorable, several of the participants bravely flew several models with higher impulse motors.  All of the flights were recovered nearby, and a good share of them landed in the launch pad area!

All in all, 27 flights were launched in a two hour window.  Since my PC blog-writing time is rather sparse these days, I will be presenting this launch in multiple posts.  Rather than write a lengthy text about the meet, here are a number of captioned photos.   Enjoy:

Mike Goss flew a LOC Magnum on three successful flights.

The Magnum in flight.

My new Estes Solo ready for its maiden flight on a B6-4

The Solo boosted nicely.  Surprisingly the ring glider turned in a smooth flight.

Lee Reep's Mini Marz Lander set to go on A10 power.

Start of a great flight for the Lander.

What could be more fun than a flight on a vintage B14 motor? Try a cluster of three of those babies!  Jim Gazur did just that with a Micro Enerjet 2250.  The bird leapt to over 500' in no time.  Jim had flown the bird earlier on a cluster of B6 motors.

Jesse Ulibarri turned in a superb flight of an Estes STM-012 on a D12 motor.

My Satellite Inerceptor performed very well with B6-4 power.

Lee Reep readies a model on the pad on this perfect January afternoon.

Mike Goss flew a nicely-built scale Aerobee 300 from Thrustline.

 

The Aerobee 300 flies high on A8-3 power.

My young grandson , Tyler, launched an Estes Bandit.  The model flew very high on an A3-4T and recovered successfully via streamer.

Jesse Ulibarri's Rising Star turned in a great D12-3 powered flight.

Lee Reep launched a Recruiter for a great flight on a C11 motor.

A Mini-Bertha, courtesy of Mike Goss, is set to go on a 1/2A motor.  The model turned in a nice flight.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2.......