Gene's L3 Project - "Main Event"
"For a rocket guy, getting your Level 3 Certification is like a mountaineer climbing El Capitan! This page provides links to important documents and pictures for my L3 project. Enjoy!" - Gene Engelgau, CEO of Fruity Chutes Inc.
Document links that outline the project:
- L3 Design Document - This doc outlines my project design and specifications.
- RockSim Design File (right click to save, use RockSim to view)
- 01 - Composite centering rings.pdf
- 02 - Building the AV-bay.pdf
- 03 - Making the boat tail.pdf
- 04 - Make the aft thrust ring.pdf
- 05 - Make the composite fins.pdf
- 06 - Vacuum bag the lower airframe.pdf
- 07 - Fin Alignment Jig and Fin Slots.pdf
- 08 - Mounting the fins.pdf
- 09 - Mount the aft airframe.pdf
- 10 - Nosecone bulkhead and GPS Bay.pdf
- 11 - AV-Bay sled and electronics.pdf
- 12 - Finish the AV Bay caps and assembly.pdf
Gene achieved his L3 on March 14, 2009 at Snow Ranch (east of Stockton, CA). Here are some flight files to view the results - which were perfect!
- G-Wiz HCX Flight File (download viewer from G-Wiz Partners website)
- Google Earth GPS track (right click to save, use Google Earth to view)
- XLS Analysys of Google Earth file, courtesy of Tom Fetter
All results closely matched the predictions. The altitude was within 10% of what RockSim predicted with a measurement of 9526 feet. The main parachute was made by Fruity Chutes with a measured descent speed of 17.5 fps. Predicted descent speed was 17.3 fps. The Fruity Chutes 24" drogue's measured descent speed was 50 fps, which was ideal.
Photos
A few photos of the finished product...
Liftoff - Snow Ranch, March 14, 2009
Courtesy of David Flournoy
Photo Albums, Website and Videos Featuring the Main Event
Main Event - The result: a successful flight!
Photo courtesy of David Flournoy
Main Event Parachute - 108" by 18 gores