Advertisement
FINISHING AND DECAL INSTRUCTIONS
Clean the rocket with a damp cloth. Paint the entire rocket
with a primer coat of light gray paint. Let the primer dry.
Paint the nose cone and body tube red and the fins yellow.
(CAUTION: Make sure the paint is compatible with high
impact styrene plastic.)
Reference the photograph of the completed SUMO rocket
on the first page of these instructions for proper positioning.
Carefully cut the decals with a sharp knife or scissors with
smooth cuts. Fill a bowl with warm water and a drop of
dishwashing detergent. Dip a decal into the water/detergent
solution before peeling and then slide the decal of its back-
ing and on to the rocket. This will prevent the decals from
grabbing too quickly. Gently press any air bubbles out from
under the decal and dab the decal dry. Apply the rest of the
decals in the same manner.
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
1.
RECOMMENDED MOTORS: Only use AEROTECH composite
model rocket motors when flying your AEROTECH rocket. See the
box label for recommended motors to be used with your SUMO™
rocket .
2.
RECOVERY SYSTEM PREPARATION: Bundle the aft end of the
shock cord with a rubber band loosely and insert into the open
end of the Piston Assembly and slide the Piston into the top of the
body tube until it stops against the front centering ring. Roll the
parachute and shroud lines, starting from the canopy peak, into a
loose cylinder that will easily slide into the rocket body tube. Pack
the long portion of the shock cord into the body tube first. Next,
insert the parachute. Finally, insert the short length of shock cord
into the body tube on top of the parachute and put on the nose cone.
Make sure that the parachute, shroud lines, and shock cord are not
caught between the body tube and the shoulder of the nose cone.
The nose cone should slide freely. (NOTE: Extreme hot weather
may make the nose cone a tight fit, however, it will function properly
with the piston ejection system.)
3.
MOTOR PREPARATION: The motors recommended for your
AEROTECH rocket vary in physical size as well as performance.
Prepare your AEROTECH rocket motor according to the instructions
that come with the motor. HP 29mm RMS motors use the black
spacer tube. Hobby 29mm RMS motors use the yellow spacer
tube. Use 3/4" masking tape for single use motor spacing. Be
sure the motor hook snaps in behind the nozzle end of the motor
and holds the motor securely in place. Wrap 1" tape around the
junction of the motor tube and the aft end of the motor to
prevent any possibility of the motor ejecting with all motors.
4.
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKOUT: Before EVERY flight, perform a com-
plete pre-launch checkout of your rocket;
Check that all fins and launch lugs are mounted securely and not
damaged. Examine the body tube and nose cone to make sure they
are free of damage.
Check that the shock cord is securely mounted to the ejection gas
baffle and nose cone, and is in good condition.
NOTICE: As we cannot control the storage and use of our products, once sold we cannot assume
any responsibility for product storage, transportation, or usage. RCS shall not be held responsible
for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the handling, storage, or use of our
product. The buyer assumes all risks and liabilities therefrom and accepts and uses AeroTech/RCS
products on these conditions.
AeroTech Division
RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc.
Cedar City, UT 84720
www.aerotech-rocketry.com
See that the nose cone and piston assembly move freely. After awhile,
an ejection residue will build up at the bottom inside surface of the
body tube and the O.D. of the piston . Lightly sand with 400 grit
sandpaper to remove any ejection charge build up.
With the tail of the rocket pointed down and the motor tube empty,
shake the rocket to remove any loose ejection charge debris left from
a previous flight. Periodically, clean the inside of the motor tube to
remove any ejection charge residue.
Be certain the motor to be used is a recommended AEROTECH
model rocket motor of a size appropriate for the launch area.
Be sure the motor hook and motor tube are not damaged and hold
the motor securely in place.
If the pre-launch checkout reveals and damage, repair the damage
before the rocket is flown again.
5.
LAUNCH PAD: Your AEROTECH rocket must be flown from a launch
pad with a 1/4" (6.4mm) diameter metal launch rod at least 36" (0.9m)
long (as measured from the top of the blast deflector), and must be
stable with larger rockets like the Sumo.
6.
MOTOR IGNITION: Only launch your rocket using a remotely con-
trolled and electrically operated launch controller. Keep yourself and
all other people at least 50 feet away from the rocket during launch.
7.
LAUNCH AREA: Launch the rocket in a cleared outdoor area free
of tall trees, power lines, and buildings. The side dimensions of the
cleared area should be at least one half of the projected altitude. An
area for a radius of at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) from the launcher
should be clear of dry grass or other flammable substances. Read
and follow the Model Rocket Safety Code of the National Association
of Rocketry (NAR) and comply with all federal, state, and local laws
in all activities with model rockets. A copy of the NAR safety code is
shown on the instructions that come with all AEROTECH composite
rocket motors.
FLIGHT PROFILE: When the launch button of the electrical launch
8.
controller is pressed, an electrical current causes the igniter to ignite
the composite propellant of the AEROTECH rocket motor. The motor
quickly builds up thrust and powers your AEROTECH rocket into the
air. During powered flight the rocket increases in speed and altitude.
When the propellant burns out the rocket is moving at maximum
velocity and a time delay material (delay grain) inside the motor burns.
While the delay grain burns the rocket coasts to peak altitude at which
point the delay grain ignites the ejection charge within the forward part
of the motor. The ignition of the ejection charge creates a burst of
hot expanding gas which flows around the baffle, and is cooled by
the bulkhead disc attached to the front of the ejection baffle, and then
pressurizes the parachute bay and ejects the piston, nose cone and
parachute. The parachute then deploys and gently returns the rocket
to the ground where the rocket can be prepared for another flight.
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE: To avoid damage to your AEROTECH
9.
rocket during transport, pack it in a box surrounded by soft packing.
Store your rocket at room temperature.
No warranty either expressed or implied is made regarding AeroTech/RCS products, except for
replacement or repair, at RCS's option, of those products which are proven to be defective in
manufacture within one year from the date of original purchase. For repair or replacement under
this warranty, please contact RCS. Proof of purchase will be required. Note: Your state may provide
additional rights not covered by this warranty.
©2004 RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc., All rights reserved.
6
19924 SUMO KIT REV: 8/04
Made in U.S.A.
Advertisement
