ZODIAC CRUISER II - SECOND FLIGHT

Already selecting this rocket for a November flight on a single use AEROTECH motor.

Update 10/23/2020 - Still have to paint a section of this rocket due to a zipper from last launch in Bunnell.

Update 10/24/2020 - Got the 85 feet streamer out and 65 feet chute. Still have to paint the rocket were the zipper was last launch. Hope to see Bernie for some bigger motors for a possible GRITS launch.

Update 10/25/2020 - Spay painted the upper bay and the top of the booster and some touch ups. All good to fly again !

Update 10/27/2020 - Really can't wait, so I prepped the upper bay and folded and loaded the main chute made Z-ties (2) and loaded all in upper bay and closed it up with 3 shear pins. Still have to do the charges and prep the booster with streamer and camera's..

Update 11/16/2020 - Still bloody windy on Saturday for this flight !! Will make the call later this week !

Update 11/17/2020 - Made all the charges. Loaded the Drogue charge and the streamer (85 feet) already. And Z-ties all ready made. Still very windy predictions for this coming weekend Launch !!! Like 18 mph winds !!!! Rob said he would be there, long time since I've seen him ata launch.

Update 11/21/2020 - LAUNCH DAY - PALM BAY - Nop did not make the drive out to Palm Bay. Weather is crap like Tim texted me earlier. Hope to get to GRITS next weekend.

Update 11/22/2020 - Stratologgers tested and all good to go.

Update 11/28/2020 LAUNCH DAY - GRITS - Nop, cloud base way to low ! And rain in the forecast. Next time.

Update 12/17/2020 Looks like this flight is a GO for SRA in Palm Bay. Clouds but no rain and low winds for now, Will check again om Friday before I go, Charging all batteries now.

Update 12/18/2020 - Still looks like 50% clouds and low ceiling like 3200 feet, that will be just enough for my flight that day. Charging all the electronics. Had to fix the sled yesterday because the lower iphone holder broke off. But fixed and ready to go. Jason is not coming, rocket not ready and cloud base to low for his flight. Hope he will be there in January. Car is all loaded up, just to attach the electronics and ready to go.

Update 12/19/2020 - LAUNCH DAY - Smooth drive, recorded all the way with dash cam, also recovery trip in boonies. Prepping was a breeze again, but the streamer and RTX take much space in the booster. Also the eye bolt is kinda big also. Will look for a smaller setup there. All packed and taped on the shock cord, RTX / GoPro camera / Tagg. All working fine. Rocket on pad, had a hard time adjusting the launch rail vertical, had to take it out and turn it to the right position but still the whole platform and feet were not level and the rail was a bit wobbly also. The take off was great but it whipped the rocket to the west so it did not reach the simulated altitude !!! Landed in the thick bush like 1000 feet West of the launch area, cleared the power lines ! Took the car for the recovery, roads were thick overgrown bushy and hit he car a few times, Was about 200 feet away from the rocket and had to walk into the tick bush, Glad I had my sweater and long pants on, if not I was scratched all over. After a struggle I found the streamer draped over the low palm trees. Could pull all the rocket parts easy out of the low palm tree. I just grabbed everything under my arm and walked struggling back to the direction of the car. All was ok, Car was still there and drove back to the Launch Area. Had great video, Ground, Rocket cam and Iphone also !!! After all a fun day, with a bit low cloud cover and some clear skies. Cloud cover was not 50% but rather 70%. And I have a small zipper in the upper part just underthe nose cone, Will be fixed.