AIR FLAP PARACHUTE DEPLOYMENT MECHANISM 7/13 version

Operation and construction of air flap, and ejector. Adjustable to deploy at apogee every time. Dirt cheap to make. No timers, radios, or batteries. Works reliably at whatever pressure you adjust it to but ONLY at that pressure. Click "Show More" & read important notice.
NOTICE ! Once it is adjusted for a PARTICULAR pressure it is reliable and performs consistently AT THAT PRESSURE and ONLY at that pressure. At a higher pressure the velocity is greater and the flap might stay down and never deploy the chute. At a lower pressure it may deploy early while the rocket is still climbing. So pick the pressure that you like, adjust it , and STICK WITH THAT ONE PRESSURE.
Store the rocket in an air conditioned room away from direct sunlight to avoid degrading the rubber bands. As they loose elasticity your adjustment will become wrong and it will deploy late or not at all.

[@robertyouens7764]

As the inventor of horizontal deployment systems for water rockets it is cool to see my work enjoyed all these years later. Awesome that so many people have seen your video/

[@marstemarnie5519]

This is really great going to build it ASAP just love the mechanics of it . Thanks!!!!

[@colinrousseau8803]

Did the airflap make the rocket fly parabolic or did it fly mostly straight?

[@jamyrlynm]

how did u make ur rocket?

[@orvillewingnut8260]

+Jamyrlyn Mallory Hi Jamyrlyn. Read all the comments below the video to get details on how to build the rocket. The parachute bay is described at these links: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnu8Z2Csp7tkfck and also www.aircommandrockets.com/construction_7.htm Both are great, especially Air Command. Read the "Hi Preston" comment about bending balsa wood. The glue that I use is made by LOCTITE. A small 1 oz tube is about $3 at Walmart in the sewing section or at any hardware store, Lowe's, Home Depot. It's a purple & blue tube titled VINYL,FABRIC & PLASTIC flexible adhesive. Or at haraadware stores get Loctite PL PREMIUM . Black and yellow tube. 4 oz tube about $5. I love the ring fin design. It's so stable and durable. I cut the sticks, 12 inches long, using my table saw. An easy way is to buy a wooden yardstick in the paint dept. for 99 cents and cut it by hand or with a saber-saw. Its the perfect thickness. 3/16" to 1/4" thick. The ring itself just comes from a plastic 2 liter bottle. Have fun & good luck.

[@orvillewingnut8260]

+Jamyrlyn Mallory Please be sure to click "read more" at the bottom of my previous reply to you. There's a lot more for you there.

[@orvillewingnut8260]

Hi, This system works but once its adjusted you must continue to launch at that SAME pressure. I used 60 psi. When I changed to higher pressure ( more strokes) the increased velocity delayed deployment until after apogee and then sometimes there was enough velocity to prevent deployment completely. It augured in. I never did get it properly adjusted for 100 psi. Now I've switched to using a 25 inch cone for the return trip. ( a "coney") Its easier and more reliable. Not as beautiful as a parachute but has a visual fascination of it's own. I put a "How High" altimeter recorder in it, from Winged Shadow Systems, and it records the max altitude reached. I'm up to 332 feet now. Have fun, Orville Wingnut.

[@noobsquad2652]

Wow this is very cool good job I am thinking of incorporating this design to my bottle rocket I am creating

[@orvillewingnut8260]

HI Preston, Thin wood will bend when heated above 250 degrees F and hold its new shape when cool. Get a glass jar, stove pipe, or post, something round and smooth. Dampen the balsa, & use a regular clothes iron to heat the balsa and form it to the curve. Use the hot "cotton" setting. Secure it with rubber bands, string, or tape when done & let it cool.

[@orvillewingnut8260]

OK Natasha, Here's how to make the parachute compartment. Go to The Air command website. www.aircommandrockets.com/construction_7.htm Look under "construction advanced " "side deploy #1" steps 2 through 12. I didn't use their electrical timer or ejection system. The "plastic cardboard" used is coroplast and can be bought at hardware stores, but right now you can get it free because its election time. Call your favorite candidate's office and ask for a free sign. Put it on your lawn and after election use it for your project.

[@JuniperTrekker]

Finally a smart designer that knows how to use the KISS principle. Many overly complicated/idiotic designs out there. This is a very good design---thanks for posting. I used your design but simplified it slightly. On mine I use 1/3 of a foam football as the nose cone. It is hollowed out slightly with an additional concave space below it. This is where the parachute is stored. The cone is held on with tension (from the air flap rubber bands) and is 'hinged' on the opposite side with fiberglass strapping tape. Works great.

[@orvillewingnut8260]

Terrific. How much pressure are you launching with? Does it deploy early or late when the launch pressure is changed? I had problems with that. Any comments about how you make adjustments would be appreciated. I have been launching "coneys" for the past 2 years. Once built they never need adjustment and work at any pressure. The descent is fascinating but nothing is as beautiful as a parachute. Thanks for your comment. Think I'll try it.

[@JuniperTrekker]

I've only launched it a few times--at 100psi. I'd say the parachute released early--a little before the expected max altitude. If I get back into this again (with grandson & better weather) I''ll have to try a few tweaks. Thanks again for posting/sharing your excellent design.

[@orvillewingnut8260]

I like your your design. Simple is better. I might use it. How successful have you been at adjusting it to be reliable? Thanks for your comment.

[@JuniperTrekker]

I only recently re-launched this rocket....so it' been in storage for over a year. Still worked great---3 for 3 on parachute deployment. I did slightly tighten up the the air flap rubber band (1/4" elastic strap)....as it had slightly stretched. My next plan is to build a 5 gallon (water bottle) rocket....with foam nose cone and a rear (on bottom of rocket) parachute deployment system. MANY bugs to work out....(max safe pressure I can use, size of chute, chute eject system, type of foam and glues to use, fins--on extended struts....etc).

[@thalesnemo2841]

Absolutely brilliant design!

[@bobjones1999]

I know right! This is actually so useful

[@robric312]

THIS IS BRILLIANT

[@orvillewingnut8260]

Hello Aaron. I run a strong string from the parachute along the outside of the rocket and outside the ring fin then up inside the ring Fin and it attaches to the neck of the bottle. For convenience, the string has a tiny slide open Metal connector on the end. To make sure that the line never comes off the bottle I use a bottle cap and cut off the flat part. That leaves just a threaded collar. I attach a fine copper wire to the collar then screw the collar on to the neck of the bottle. It has never come off or broken. Good luck with your project. Thanks for the question

[@aaronmarasigan7882]

Hi, I was just wondering where you connected and tied up the parachute to the bottle so that. Using it for a project and found yours the most effective and simple, thanks!

[@1Gregted]

Thanks for posting this video. I have been looking for a mechanical deployment and this is perfect.

[@leoranjan9283]

for a 10 feet water rocket what air flap specification do you recommend

[@Matt98B5]

Thanks for posting this video, I really like the simplicity of this! Several of your water rocket tutorial videos are great in the use of found materials and as one comment already said, KISS principles! Also, you do a great job of showing your construction details in a very understandable way. Thanks again, and God Bless!

[@orvillewingnut8260]

Matt98B5 thanks for the kind words. I have recently created a device that locates the center of lateral pressure on a rocket as it moves through the air. working on a video of it now. thanks again

[@thorinti]

Muy interesante mecanismo para liberar paracaidas. Felicitaciones

[@gixster92]

do you have a How you built this? Link? anything? thanks in advance

[@orvillewingnut8260]

HI Jeff, use this link from Air Command Water Rocket Parachute Deployment Mechanism I used it to build the parachute bay. Its a great link! The corrugated plastic board is called "coroplast". I got mine free by collecting political campaign signs but its available at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. in sheets for about $11. For glue I use Loctite "Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic" available at Walmart (in the sewing supply section) or at hardware stores. $3 for a 1 oz tube. It glues water bottles & coroplast great. In retrospect I was very lucky getting it adjusted properly. I don't advise going over 50-60 psi pressure. The velocity is so great that if it deploys prematurely the chute will rip off, or the flap never rises to release the door. Either way your rocket augers into the ground. I have an idea for the same mechanism without the flap that should be immune to airspeed but haven't built it yet. Having fun with "coneys" and the "how High" altimeter now. I've loved parachutes since boyhood days. Did some jumping 45 years ago. Packed my own chute and jumped solo on my first jump & every one thereafter. Oh the thrill. Still remember every second & every sound. Have fun.

[@juhorasimus00]

Does the launching pressure matter? I prefer to shoot by 8 bar (max. pressure of compressor) Does it still work like a charm? I've been looking for mechanical launching system and I think I'll build this 'cause this looks good and working.

[@orvillewingnut8260]

YES. Launch pressure matters. Once it is adjusted and works do not change the pressure. I used 4 bar with consistently good results. 6.8 bar was a disaster. It went so fast that it would rip off the 'chute or not deploy at all. I think that 8 bar would require a much smaller flap and stronger parachute line. Adjustment is by "trial & error" and every failure damages your rocket. It also changes when the rubber bands get old and weak. Good luck. I changed from parachutes to cones. Much more simple, reliable, and pressure doesn't matter. But not as pretty.

[@juhorasimus00]

Ok, thanks for that.

[@Lochan_SR]

Oh thanks thanks thanks thanks and thanks dude it helped me alot

[@prestonwilczynski7449]

How do you curve the Balsa wood?