Air-Launched R/C Rocket Plane Testing

[@rustyscrewsrc]

Sturdy builds! Great vid!

[@malcolmking752]

Thanks very much!

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

You are a GOD! 😱😁😝🤪🤣👍👍🇺🇸

[@aerospacematt]

How do you account for the recovery charge? (the forward facing blast that fires the nose cone off the rocket and pushes the parachute out.) I can only assume that the hot, fiery gasses would burn the airplane.

[@malcolmking752]

The parachute recovery charges were removed, and the forward ends of the rocket motors were epoxied over, so that no charge came forward into the airplane.

[@aerospacematt]

@@malcolmking752 I like the epoxy method. How did you remove the recovery charge propellant?

[@malcolmking752]

@@aerospacematt In the case of the Estes motors, the charge needs to be scraped out, which can be done with a flathead screwdriver or other similar tool. With the Aerotech motors, the forward end of the motor has a plastic plug which retains the recovery charge. This can be removed, allowing for easy removal of the recovery charge. I believe Estes also makes motors which do not have a recovery charge, which are designed for applications like these, but they're harder to find.

[@aerospacematt]

@@malcolmking752 Cool! Thanks. Been interested in making my own rocket plane but the whole idea of the recovery charge has turned me off. It had been my understanding that Aerotech made the motors with no charge. Glad to hear that Estes makes those motors as well.

[@malcolmking752]

@@aerospacematt Go for it! Honestly, the removal of the recovery charge isn't very difficult even if you can't find the purpose-built motors with no charge.