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Some general class C questions

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:13 pm
by SaskAlex
Hi, my name is Alex and I just joined here. I've got some questions about the C class.

I find the idea of a flight duration competition rather weird if you are using a parachute. Is there any restriction on parachute size? Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to have a class that doesn't require an altimeter. Although, an on-board camera isn't too cheap either.

Also, are you allowed to add any reinforcements to the bottle? I'm not thinking anything high-tech, but I have heat shrunk large bottles over top of smaller ones before to allow for more pressure.

Lastly, does anyone else think it would be cool to have a height competition with rules like those of the C class? I really think height is what most people care about with their rockets, and I imagine a lot of people don't have the money or skills to use fancy materials in their pressure vessels. I'm not suggesting a whole other class, there doesn't seem to be enough participation for that. Maybe I just need to set my own goals.

Anyways, I'm just trying to find out what I want to achieve this summer.

Alex

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:50 pm
by WRA2
SaskAlex wrote:Hi, my name is Alex and I just joined here. I've got some questions about the C class.

I find the idea of a flight duration competition rather weird if you are using a parachute. Is there any restriction on parachute size? Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to have a class that doesn't require an altimeter. Although, an on-board camera isn't too cheap either.
No restriction on size for the parachute. The rocket could also deploy wings and glide down. Small video cameras are fairly cheap ($20) so the investment is not much. The on board videos are a staple of the WRA2 and increase the "wow factor" and attract more people to the hobby.
SaskAlex wrote:Also, are you allowed to add any reinforcements to the bottle? I'm not thinking anything high-tech, but I have heat shrunk large bottles over top of smaller ones before to allow for more pressure.
Sorry but no reinforcements are allowed in the class C. That keeps the cost reasonable for everyone. Also class C requires the use of a manual pump (also to keep the cost down) which makes reinforcements impractical.
SaskAlex wrote:Lastly, does anyone else think it would be cool to have a height competition with rules like those of the C class? I really think height is what most people care about with their rockets, and I imagine a lot of people don't have the money or skills to use fancy materials in their pressure vessels. I'm not suggesting a whole other class, there doesn't seem to be enough participation for that. Maybe I just need to set my own goals.
The problem with a height measurement for the class C is the cost of the altimeter. This class is designed to keep costs down. We will think about adding more classes once we have more participation in the current ones. Right now you could be the first to submit a class C entry.
SaskAlex wrote:Anyways, I'm just trying to find out what I want to achieve this summer.

Alex
Welcome to the WRA2 :WRA2: Alex, :W

Good Luck!!!

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:04 am
by SaskAlex
Thanks for the reply, that clears some things up. I didn't know you could cameras that cheap, that's really impressive. That does make it a pretty easy class to compete in.

Alex

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:35 pm
by Spaceman Spiff
WRA2 wrote: Right now you could be the first to submit a class C entry.
Only if he acts fast. Heh heh heh.

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:41 pm
by WRA2
SaskAlex wrote:Thanks for the reply, that clears some things up. I didn't know you could cameras that cheap, that's really impressive. That does make it a pretty easy class to compete in.

Alex
Try Ebay to look for a cheap source of a camera...Good Luck :WRA2:

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:46 pm
by Jelo
sorry to dig up an old topic but im competing for class c records too :) is there any pressure restriction at all as long as im using a manual pump?

also about the idea of high competition in class c, it kinda is a hight competition since the higher you go the longer you will stay airborn, if using the same parachute.

i was thinking bout having a propeler at the front of my rocket which will wind up when the rocket goes up and then propel the rocket up when no more wind is keeping it from stopping, can i do that?

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:08 pm
by WRA2
Jelo wrote:sorry to dig up an old topic but im competing for class c records too :) is there any pressure restriction at all as long as im using a manual pump?

also about the idea of high competition in class c, it kinda is a hight competition since the higher you go the longer you will stay airborn, if using the same parachute.

i was thinking bout having a propeler at the front of my rocket which will wind up when the rocket goes up and then propel the rocket up when no more wind is keeping it from stopping, can i do that?
There is no pressure limitations but you cannot reinforce the bottle.

The propeller idea would be allowed but probably would add too much drag and weight to your rocket to make it worthwhile but if you think you can make it work then go for it.

Good luck! :WRA2:

Re: Some general class C questions

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:40 pm
by U.S. Water Rockets1
Good luck! It would be interesting to see if the idea can work. Just pay attention to the weight limit.