This is my first rocket from Apogee Components, and my first helicopter recovery rocket. This is a small, light kit that could be used in competition. It is a skill level 4 rocket. This was a nice change to build after heavy medium-power rockets and epoxy. Unfortunately, mine is unstable as built, so I added some nose cone weight. This made it more stable with the1/4A2, but not the B2. After crashing 10/01/97 I rebuilt it with some modifications. The nose is now full of clay. I cut the body in half, and now the bottom half comes off at ejection and releases the blades (in theory). This has been fun so I've ordered another!
Dia: 0.544"; Length: 14.0"; Wt.: 0.5 oz.; Motor (1): 10mm
Status: Repaired, awaiting flight.
| Flt | Date | Motor | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | 9/25/97 | 1/4A-2 | Went about 40 feet, but blades deployed and it worked. My first helicopter flight. |
| 2) | 9/25/97 | A2-3 | Unstable, did a loop in the air. Blades deployed as it landed in a tree. |
| 3) | 9/25/97 | A2-3 | Unstable, did a loop in the air. String did not burn through. |
| 4) | 9/25/97 | B2-5 | Unstable, did three loops in the air! I guess the rocket is unstable and needs nose cone weight. |
| 5) | 10/01/97 | 1/4A-2 | Had added nose weight. Went straight up, best flight so far. However, string did not burn through, but I caught it. |
| 6) | 10/01/97 | B2-5 | Unstable, did three loops in the air again. I guess the rocket needs more nose cone weight. |
| 7) | 10/01/97 | 1/4A-2 | Added more nose weight. Went straight up, but the string did not burn through. Landed nose first on roof, crimped tube in half, tore. |
| 8) | 11/02/97 | A2-3 | Stable flight, but the bottom half became tangled in the rotor blades. No damage. |
| 9) | 11/06/97 | B2-5 | Stable flight. The bottom half became tangled in the rotor blades briefly after an 8 second delay. Then it finally worked. |
Pictures
The Heli-roc after a launch. 9/25/97.
The Heli-roc after crashing on the roof. 10/01/97.
The Heli-roc after repair and some alterations. 10/01/97.
