CORALLY SETUP TIPS

THE HOW-TO, WHAT'S NEW HOBBY PUBLICATION

SUMMER 1990

Big-Boy Blaster i

ROCKET SCIENCE

Blast Off with AeroTech

The Next Stage in Rocketry
.odel M< rocketry has satisfied
kids in the hundreds of thousands,

maybe millions, because of the rela

tively low cost, easy construction,

great variety and thrilling perfor

mance.

But what's available for older

teens or adultswith a background in

rockets or as newcomers to the

hobby? AeroTech is a new manufac turer on the scene who is providing the answer: big 3- to 6-foot rockets, with incredible precision and perfor
mance.

The AeroTech Approach

Because AeroTech rockets are

aimed at the discriminating, qualityconscious buyer, the engineering had to be specialand it is. We began our research with the Initiator systems package (ARO89001). Although

$166.95 may sound like a lot to pay for

a model rocket set, there's some pretty serious tooling that's gone into making sure the quality, and fun, are there.

The systems package includes everything you'll need to get going the AeroTech way: Initiator rocket, Mantis launch pad, Interlock launch controller, two motors (E and F power) and two Copperhead igniters. Although you can buy each component separately, we recommend the systems package as the easiest and least expensive way to blast off, since everything you need is
included.

Opening up the Initiator kit told us instantly why this rocket is so spe cial. With most other rockets, you cut
the fins from balsa, sand them to a

AeroTech's advanced rockets and accessories offer performance and challenges that will capture the interest of even the most experienced modeler.

more aerodynamic shape, then glue them onto the body tube, eye-balling the fin alignment. With AeroTech's ad vanced technology, the fins are precise, high-impact styrene already molded into an aerodynamic shape during manufacturingno cutting or sanding for you to deal with. These fins and the launch lugs fit into die-cut precision slots on the body tube, where

they interlock with the finlock rings on the motor tube. The finlock rings securely hold the fins in the proper position for perfect alignment. These interlocking fins and finlock rings
transfer thrust loads from the motor

ding: one less thing for you to worry

about!

Quick and Easy

Following the detailed, fully il
lustrated instructions, we assembled

tube to the outer body tube and rocket fins--enabling the rocket to withstand the high G-loads during
takeoff. The excellent construction con

the launch pad, Initiator rocket and

launch controller in a little over seven

Dry thoroughly, then lightly sand the washed surface, using 220- or 400-grit sandpaper. Make sure the paint you choose is compatible with polyethylene. We used Testers rocket paint, which matched the decal colors very close-

hours, without a hitch. We also as

sembled the smaller Mustang rocket

{ARO89010) in a little over four hours. Our R&D staffer commented that because the instructions are so

Variety of Motors Available

AeroTech manufactures a whole

tinues with the preassembled parachute made of nylon ripstop.

These rockets also feature the

line of rocket motors, with D, E, F and

G sizes (G motors are not available in

Labyrinth Ejection Gas Cooling Sys tem, which employs cooling mesh

and a molded ejection gas baffle to prevent the chute from burning, in stead of the traditional ejection wad

detailed, the system goes together smoothly, even for a less experienced modeler. He does suggest, however, that you follow these pointers for a flawless paint job: Using a gentle detergent and water, wash the polyethylene nose cone.

California and Canada because they

are prohibited). Each rocket's instruc
tion manual shows the recommended

motors for that model. Adapters come with each kit, so you can use a variety of motor sizes in any rocket. These

llllLlllLU'lf
ADVANCED MODEL ROCKET
FIN-LOK FINMOUNTING *

LABYRINTH'" EJECTION *
GAS COOLING SYSTEM

SYSTEM PROVIDES STRENGTH.

ALIGNMENT & L0A0 DISTRIBUTION PRECISIONAIRFOIL MOLDED FINS WITH STRONG.LIGHT
AERO-FIBRE'" CENTERING RINGS F1N-L0K'" TAB

F1N-L0K~ MOTOR
TUBE FANGS

ADAPTORSPERMITUSE OF VARIOUS SIZE AEROTECH'" MOTORS SERIALIZED REGISTRATION PLATE LARGE COLORFUL SELF-ADHESIVE DECALS

AeroTech's composite rocket motors range in size from D21 through G80 and provide up to a whopping 24 pounds of thrust.

Molded fins, nose cone and motor system make assembly fun. Ripstop nylon parachute comes fully assembled.

There's a whole series of AeroTech rock

ets in the works now. That Astrobee D is

nearly six feet tallperfect if you like 'em big! (Photo courtesy of AeroTech)

projected that the E15-4 flight would

have a maximum altitude of 650 feet,

and our flight confirmed that.

We did have to make several ad

justments to compensate for wind. The

windier the day, the more you must

angle the rocket into the wind for takeoff. You also need more angle for takeoff with more powerful motors, because the rocket goes higher and has longer to drift downwind. And, the windier the day and the more power ful your motor, the more open space you need for safety and rocket
recovery.

After adjusting our launch angle,

we tried an F25-6 motor. Wow! The takeoff noise and acceleration were far

greater than anything we had pre viously experienced in model rocketry. AeroTech projects a maximum altitude
of 1350 feet with this motor, and our

Initiator was barely a speck in the sky.

With a G40-7 motor, the Initiator

goes completely out of sight: an es

timated 2100 feet. That's over 3/8 of a

mile up! We didn't confirm that with a tracking device, because we couldn't track the rocket to its peak.
We did notice that occasionally the Initiator was a little wobbly in the early stages of flight. It wasn't unstable or unsafe, but you may notice the rocket corkscrewing a bit at times.
Overall, we found the Initiator a

motors are realistically loud and grab the attention of everyone in the launch
area.

Out of Sight Performance

We selected a large open area and a relatively calm day for our test flights. With an El5-4 motor (the
smallest recommended) in the Initiator

AcroTech's special White Light

good way to get into AcroTech's line, because of its easy assembly, size and above-average performance.

ning composite motors put out a trail

of white smoke that makes it easier to

Mighty Mustang Sizzles

Thanks to its shorter length, smaller diameter and lighter weight, the Mustang goes the highest and
fastest of AeroTech's rockets.

track the rockets in flight. It also gives an incredible picture at lift-off: when
we used one, we saw a shroud of

and the launcher pointed slightly into the light wind, we were ready: 5-4-3-21-Blast off! The Copperhead igniter in stantly fired the motor and it roared to
life.

smoke around the pad, then the rocket

emerging from the top of the smoke

cloudsurprisingly realistic.

The Initiator rapidly accelerated to

several hundred feet, the motor's thrust shut off, and the rocket coasted

A special igniter system, called the Copperhead, inserts deep into the motor and actually burns instead of glows for a positive ignition. In our testing, these igniters were 100% reli
able.

several hundred feet higher to its apogee (peak). The Initiator rotated

over the top and fell about 50 feet before deploying its nylon chute for a
safe return to earth. Instructions

With its better aerodynamics and a G40-10 motor, the Mustang shot up a projected 3100 feetnearly 3/4 of a mile. That's hardly kid stuff! Again, we couldn't use our tracking device be cause the rocket simply went out of sight. The F25-9 propelled it about
22(X) feet, and the small E15-7 sent the

Mustang about 1000 feet into the air.

One thing we learned with our

Mustang: make sure the shock cord is

securely fastened before each flight.

We lost the nose cone when it came detached from the shock cord.

Launch Pad, Controller

Set New Standards
AeroTech has designed its own launch pad and launch controller

If you're out to impress the spec

tators, the Mustang combined with a White Lightning motor will really
knock their socks off.

for use with its high-performance

rockets.

With the impressive altitudes these

rockets achieve, AeroTech has

The Mantis Launch Pad is

provided a whole new dimension to

model rocketry. The complete line of

AeroTech rockets-six in allwill soon

be available at your local shop. But you can get started right away with the Initiator systems package or the Mustang. Blasting off has never been
this awesome!

made of precision injected molded plastic with a high-tech, NASA look. Aluminum legs are removable for easy transporting and help pro
vide a wide, stable base that will

handle large, heavy rockets.

The Mantis offers several

adjustable features: the top swivels so you can precisely aim the
launcher into the wind; the

micrometer windage dial offers 15 degrees of adjustment for wind

compensation; and the 1/4" launch rod can be replaced with either 1/8"
or 3/16" rods so other rockets can

Interlock launch controller operates from any 12v battery. Upon insertion of the safety key, a warning tone is
emitted, and upon pushing the launch button, blastoff occurs.
The Interlock launch controller is loaded with features not found on

be launched from this pad. A swing-arm assembly allows

you to load the rocket from an upright position or from a lower, more horizontal positiona real

other rocket systems. To begin with, there's a 40-foot cord so you're at a

safe distance from the launch base-

plus if you're using one of AeroTech's larger rockets. The back of the launch pad even features clips to secure your ignition clip wires, putting less strain on the ig
niters.

Initiator

Type Model
Retail

High-performance sport rocket ARO89001 (sys. pkg.) ARO89011 (rocket only)

$34.95

and with these powerful rockets, you'll want the full 40 feet. The igniter clip itself grips the igniter firmly, increasing ignition reliability. The Interlock uses an audible ready sensor when the rocket is armed, and it beeps loud enough so everyone in the area can hear that you're getting ready to launch. This audible system is superior to the more common glowing indicator lights that are often difficult to see in
the sun.

Construction polyethylene nose cone, composite body tube, molded fins, ripstop nylon parachute Length 39"
Diameter 2."6"

The only disadvantage we

found with the Interlock is that it re

quires a 12-volt power supply: your

car battery or a 12v lantern battery
works well. We found this a little

Weight (no motor)

Recommended Motors

14.6 oz.
E15-4, E30-4 F25-6, F50-6 G40-7, G80-7

bulkier than we'd like, but the extra

Ignition Reliability Projected Maximum Altitudes

E15-4 F25-6W G40-7W

100%
650 ft. 1350 ft. 2100 ft.

power makes for reliable ignitions. Ifs a tradeoff we're willing to make. Both the Mantis launch pad and
Micrometer launch angle knob gives up to 15 degrees of adjustment for wind compensation. Unique rod holder accepts IIS", 3/16" and 1/4" rods to accommodate all types of
rockets.

Interlock controller are available in

the Initiator systems package or as

individual items: AR0892S1 for the

Recovery System Parachute Approx. Time to Complete 5 hrs. Items Needed to Complete: Motor, launch pad, controller, 12vbattery, paint

Mantis ($89.95) and AROS93S1 for the Interlock ($37.95).