Dave Seay's 05-14-00 L1 Cert Flight Report

Dave stands proudly next to his "Monarch II" just before its L1 cert flight.

Photo by Dean Roth

"Monarch II" specs: (scratch-built)
length: 80.75"
composition of airframe: 4" cardboard motor mount tube
span of fins: 15.8 inches
fins: G-10 fiberglass .093"
weight at liftoff: 8 lb. 9 oz

Performance: (I-284)
                    max. speed (est.): 327 mph (RockSim)
                     max. acceleration (est.): 14.48 g's (RockSim)
                     expected altitude: 2000-2250 feet
                     actual altitude: 1761 feet
Recovery system:
ejection management: "2-stage" MissileWorks PRC² altimeter.
parachute: Top Flight Recovery 70-inch ripstop nylon "X"-type.

Weather at time of launch: (Bong Recreation Area Runway, Burlington, WI)
date: May 14, 2000
time: approximately 5:45 p.m.
wind: 12-20 mph
sky: scattered cumulus at +5000 feet
temp: 55º F
engine & size: Aerotech I-284.

Description of the flight:
Winds were considerably higher than originally predicted on Sunday. At about 10:00 this morning, they were 25 mph with gusts to 38 mph. By launch time, they were down well into flyable range, and were not a problem.

The motor ingited quickly, and the Monarch II rose rapidly up the rail. The winds buffeted the rocket at about 100 feet, but it still went straight up.The remainder of the boost phase was nominal. Peak altitude was reported by the altimeter as 1761 feet. (however, since the altimeter has a habit of firing the apogee separation a bit late, the actual altitude may have been slightly higher.) Separation occurred a little past apogee, but I'll take it as it was. The rocket tumbled according to plan, and the main chute popped at 500'. The chute was a bit tangled, but it managed to free itself and fully deplyoy at 250' or so. Post flight inspection showed nominal conditions in the motor, airframe, and recovery system. Great flight!!

I know Dean had a couple of birds go up, but I was so focused on my cert flight, I hardly remember them....

David