| | [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #580: | |
Did you ever wonder if you've cut a spill hole in a parachute that might be too big? That is the question our parachute expert Dave Flannigan asked himself. Since he didn't know the answer, he decided to do a simple science experiment. He started with a normal plastic parachute and gradually increased the size of the spill hole until he got it to fail. So if you're wondering how big of a hole he achieved, and what the "failure" point looks like, you'll have to definitely check out this article. You'll be surprised at the findings. Also in this issue: The Dolphin Rocket Plan Our new product designer, Martin Jay McKee, came up with this cool rocket that looks just like a dolphin. Now who doesn't like dolphins? They are fast and sleek, and probably smarter than your kid brother. You'll have to read the series of idea triggers that led to how he came up with the idea, as that is a cute story by itself. Just imagine what your friends are going to say when you bring this rocket out to the rocket range. You'll be surrounded by kids that want to see the Dolphin jump skyward into the air. Downloading the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is always free! Go ahead and click through to our website by using the links below. | | Read the rest of this week's article, either on a downloadable PDF for printing out, or on our website (great for viewing on your phone)! Previous issues of our newsletter are found at our archive page. |
| Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! | BT-80 Size Ebay Kit | |
Do you want to test out dual-deployment in a BT-80 sized mid-power rocket prior to going to high power rocketry? That makes a lot of sense, because to be honest, dual deployment can be a more daunting of a challenge. This ebay kit comes with the ebay sled, the coupler tube, bulkhead disks, on/off push swtich with wires, the laser-cut parachute tube, reusable plastic rivets and a kevlar shock cord. You only need to supply the BT-80 size rocket kit, altimeter, battery, and e-matches. |
| Pin Vise | |
This double-sided collet pin vise is excellent for holding small parts and tools. The serrated-grip handle makes holding your bits for precision shaping really easy. With the hex head ends, a wrench can be used to really cinch down on the shaft so the tools won't rotate while you're using them. There are two removable collets. They allow you to hold parts from a tiny size-80 drill bit up to a 1/8-inch (3.2mm). Use it for holding: Small drill bits Taps for making threaded holes Sanding and Grinding Burrs Small needle files for delecate sanding Wood dowels that can be used to push parts into small tubes |
| Estes Super Orbital Transport | |
The original Orbital Transport was an Estes classic, flown and treasured by rocketeers since the late 1960's. This NEW version, called the SUPER Orbital Transport, is even bigger, so it makes a huge impression on the rocket range. It was originally designed by Wayne Kellner and introduced to the nation in the late 1960's, proving to be one of Estes' most popular models. After it was taken out of production, rocketeers have been begging for its return ever since. Scaled up from the original, it's bigger and better than ever; this is the SUPER Orbital Transport! |
| Parachute Protectors | |
Reusable Fire-resistant Chute Protectors are used in place of paper recovery wadding to protect the parachute from being melted or scorched by the heat of the ejection charge. Unlike wadding, a cloth parachute protector (which can also be called a "blast protector" or "heat shield") can be reused. Most people find that they are a permanent replacement for wadding! We now have sizes in stock that we were previously out of, and these are made exclusively for Apogee! |
| Tip Sanding Burrs | |
Ever tried to sand into a tight corner and found the sandpaper won't conform? That's where these special metal files, technically called "Sanding Burrs" come in. We commissioned a special set of five diamond coated files that allow you to sand with the tip of the tool, so you can get into hard-to-reach areas. They can be used by hand, or with a rotary tool like a Dremel. The fine grit of the tools allow you to get that smooth surface even in the tightest corners of your rocket. Perfect finishes are now more easily achieved than ever before. |
| Make Carbon Fiber Tubes | |
Here is an extensive and detailed video course on how to make Ultra-Lightweight Carbon-Fiber Rocket Tubes. They're so light, they give you an unfair advantage in competition. These are the ones that my daughters, Allison and Ashley used in Romania last September at the 2021 World SpaceModeling Championships. Allison was part of the senior Silver Medal winning USA team, and Ashley took home the Bronze Medal in the Jr. Division. The girls were taught how to make their own tubes, so if they can do it, so can you. The training course consists of 5 hours and 42 minutes of video instruction, covering everything I know about how to make a successful tube with a glass-finish using a 2-piece mold. It even includes all the secret techniques and materials, and where to buy them, including where to get the 2-part mold. This course is on the Udemy website, not at Apogee Components. |
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Sod-Farm Flying I came across the flying site of the Saturn Rocketry Club (NAR #705) in Hendersonville, NC, and thought it look awesome. So I decided to fly a model rocket there on the Launch Visualizer. This week's free simulation is of a Estes Mars Longship flying from the sod-farm. What makes it such a great launch, is how boring it is. Everything goes up fine, and comes down and lands easily within the field. Actually... that's not boring, that's how we like them to go. |
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“I have come to expect great service, good turn-around times and quality products from Apogee. They continue to surprise me, however. I recently placed an order for a handful of decals to go with the builds from the 25 free rocket plans that I was completing. I couldn't believe they were available individually and that Apogee would take the time to print the six individual sheets I was requesting. The turnaround time was one day including shipping to Michigan. I'm impressed as ever, what was surprising was that my order was accompanied by a certificate signed by Tim Van Milligan himself- I was appropriately geeked. Apogee really goes beyond to live out their mission, in every interaction I'm left feeling that they really do care about my success. Hats off from a continuing customer.” -- Dwayne Bagley | |
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We're looking for someone to write a definitive guide to selecting igniters, controllers and batteries for rockets. We'd love to have a newsletter article on that topic, because we get lots of inquiries about it. Is that you? Do you know how many e-matches can be set off in a cluster by a 3.7v 400 mAh battery? See our Newsletter Guidelines on how to submit an article on this topic and get paid up to $350 for your time.
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| I'm now actively seeking writers for articles to appear in this newsletter. And I want unique and cutting-edge articles because that is what you want to read, right? I realize this, so to get articles from outside writers that have the same level of quality, I'm going to have to pay a lot of cash to make it worth it for them. So I've come up with a compensation package where I'll pay up to $350 for good how-to articles. Are you a writer, and does that interest you? That is a lot of cash! Far more than you'll get by writing for other magazines. And with over 23,000 worldwide subscribers, if you write for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, you'll gain a lot of notoriety. Writing for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is a great way to show off your rocketry projects and your technical expertise, at the same time as helping out other rocketeers. Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that you made a difference to the hobby. If you're interested in writing, see the guidelines on our site. | |
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