| [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak of Flight Newsletter #485: | | 
Say you wanted a parachute that had a smooth opening, without a hard jolt that tends to break thinks like shock cord anchors and suspension lines. And say you also wanted a chute that had very little oscillation so the rocket landed upright. What type of parachute would you use?
From the headline above, you know we're going to suggest a Ringslot Parachute. But what is this type of parachute, and how do you make one? Dave Flanagan, who I consider one of the foremost experts on parachutes in the model rocketry community, explains the benefits of this type of parachute, and how to make one using a standard plastic Apogee parachute sheet. He also gives some suggestions for experiments you might perform with these chutes (hint to students looking for science fair projects, or NAR members looking for an R&D topic for NARAM). Whenever Dave writes an article for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, I seem to learn a lot of information that helps make me a better modeler. I think this one will help you too. And if you want to catch up on parachute design, you'll find links to all the other articles that Dave has written for our readers. | | 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. |
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What is new on Apogee's shelves! | | | 
This 4-inch diameter plastic nose cone has a 5-to-1 ratio ogive shape, making it long and sleak. The exposed length is 19.8 inches long. It fits standard 4" tubes, and has a super-strong loop on the base for attaching parachutes and shock cords. More information available here. |
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On February 6, 2018, the SpaceX company thrilled the world with the launch of the first Falcon Heavy rocket into space carrying a Tesla roadster convertable.The Dr. Zooch Falcon Heavy was originally released prior to the first launch of the real rocket on which it is based. It uses standard 24mm diameter tubes for the core and strap on booters, and a 33mm tube for the payload. The rocket uses traditional rocket materials, so if you've built a number of other rocket kits before, this one shouldn't be out of your wheelhouse even though it is classified as a Skill Level 4 challenge rocket. |
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Apogee has released new tubes for building your own high-power rockets. The four-inch tube is outstanding for airframes and the new cut-to-length 38 and 54mm tubes can be used to create engine mounts. |
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Tubular nylon is a cheaper alternative to Kevlar® for shock cords. While it isn't nearly as strong, but it is softer and has less of a tendancy to zipper a body tube. The bright fluorescent orange color helps increase the visibility of your rocket to make it easer to find if it drapes over a bush or tree. For more information, click here. |
| | |  This is a 1/8 scale model of the Jayhawk AQM-37C target drone, which has been in operation with the US NAVY since 1961. This kit is based on the BT-60 size tube, is nearly 20 inches long, and flies on 24mm diameter rocket motors. It has all the basic elements of a classic kit, where the level of detail and accuracy is exceptional. Get more information here.
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| | |  Here is a pre-made e-match that doesn't require an explosives permit from the government, nor do you have to dip them yourself. It is pre-assembled and ready to use in your rocket. Great for dual-deployment and for airstarts. Low current. Get more information here.
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| | |  The Simple GPS Tracker is a two-part system to help you find your rocket after launch. It uses a small airborne transmitter (part one) inside your rocket that sends its GPS location to a handheld receiver (part two) that you carry with you. The receiver has a simple pointer indicator on its screen, which tells you which direction to walk in order to retrieve your rocket. It even tells you how many more feet you have to go, and it generally leads you to within 5 to 10 feet from your rocket. NO HAM radio license is required to use this! Get more information here.
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Our 3rd Issue Has Been Sent! Here is some news that you may have missed in last week's issue of "Industry Updates" sent out on December13th: 1. Apogee introduced a new and economical rocket accessory. 2. A debuted new flexible flight controller for complex rockets. 3. And another new sci-fi rocket kit with cool tear-drop shaped fins was released this month. Intrigued?
Wouldn't you like to know exactly what you missed? Did you know there are over 120 different model rocket manufacturers of kits and components? |
 “I have had many questions for Tim and Sara over the last couple of years as I advance in model rocketry. I am now getting into dual deployment as well as have gotten my level two certification through Tripoli. The thing that amazes me, is that Tim will often take the time on the weekend, if I have questions with my project(s) to answer my questions! That is not something you would get out of any other company and I be no means expect it or deserve it BUT, I do appreciate it! Also, once you become a VIR member by ordering a few times from Apogee, the discount they give you towards future purchases almost brings their prices into the realm of other rocketry companies that don’t give you half the service!” -- Steven Jantzen | |
 Have you seen "Barks At Rockets" yet? - The new hilariously funny comic strip by our graphic artist Chris Duran is released every Thursday on our Facebook page. Be sure to check it out and share it with your rocketry friends. |
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 I need help with generating the biweekly newsletter articles since it takes a lot of effort to put them together. And I'm willing to pay big bucks for your help. So ask yourself, are you looking to earn some extra money? 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. | |
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