| | [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #607: | | Do you ever notice how many rockets that descend by parachute are spinning in a corkscrew manner? The problem with this is twofold. First, the parachute is not as efficient when it is corkscrewing, and so the rocket lands harder. Second, the rocket dangling below the chute also has forward speed as it whips around. So if it hits something vertical, like a fence post or the side of a building, there is a good chance that it will wack it hard - popping a fin off the rocket. Why do parachutes corkscrew? And what can you do about this problem? In this issue of the Peak-of-Flight newsletter, Dave Flannigan dives into the issue and tells us what causes this, and gives some pointers on how to prevent it. Also in this Issue: Free Rocket Plan Martin Jay McKee put together a very simple rocket plan that is perfect for beginners. It is called the "Escape Velocity." Like the name says, this rocket is designed to go really fast. It is a minimum diameter 18mm rocket that can go higher and faster because it is so small. It is a good economical choice if you want to just blast a rocket out of sight. | | 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! | Expanding Foam for Rocketry | | This pourable urethane foam allows you to effortlessly fill cavities, reinforce structures, and securely encapsulate components within your rocket. Mix it up, and pour it into the cavity you wish to fill. After a few minutes, it expands up to fill any voids. Then it hardens into a lightweight rigid foam that can be cut, sanded or shaped as desired. Use it to lock through-the-wall fins in your rocket, or to fill parts that feel squishy. It is another indespensible tool for your rocketry workshop. Get some today! |
| Long - 3" Dia Nose Cone | | The new PNC-74A nose cone was created exclusively for Apogee because modelers wanted a lightweight and long alternative for 3" diameter thin-walled tubes. This is a 5-to-1 Length-to-Diameter ratio ogive shape, so it is nearly 15 inches long, plus a 3.26" long shoulder on the end. It is made from Hi-Impact polystyrene, so paint will permanently stick to it without flaking off after a hard landing. There is also a heavy duty loop on the back where you can easily attach wide nylon-strap shock cords. Plus there is a groove in the base where you can easily cut off the aft bulkhead to install electronics into the nose and still have the long shoulder. This is packed with a lot of features, so it will soon be your favorite nose cone for mid and high-power rockets. Be the first in your club to get it! |
| Swingshot RC Rocket Glider | | The SwingShot RC glider from J&H Aerospace is a two channel Radio Controlled glider, allowing you to fly this rocket right back to your feet so you don't have walk to retrieve it. It is also a swing-wing glider, so it folds up for the boost phase, which goes to a much higher altitude than a fixed wing rocket glider. You can fly this rocket on A-C motors, or if you're really daring, you might put it up on a 18mm composite D motor for some really sky-high flights. We are in the process of building our own display rocket, so our webpage is not as complete as we want, but we do have them in stock and ready to ship. |
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Vapor-ized This week's simulation shows a Estes Vapor rocket blasting off on an Aerotech E18-8 rocket motor from a nice flying site in Louisiana. As you watch the simulation, see how the rocket reacts to the wind. Is there anything that you'd do differently on this launch? |
| Customer Testimonials: “When building a high powered rocket I used to have visit at least 5 websites to get everything I needed, and I would still forget things. After shopping with Apogee I can get everything I need in one place. Not only that but at the bottom of page it will show me what others have bought when buying this exact part, and I will remember that I need that as well. It sounds nuts, but nuts is shopping at 5 websites paying shipping and all of them, and at the end remembering your forgot the parachute protector or Kevlar line. which they have too!!!” -- Travis Carlisle | |
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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. Test 1
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