Finally got the chance to fly the Sky Needle triple cluster this past Father's Day at the Bong!
It was windy, but we launched on 3 x F32J-8T composites with altimeter triggered drogue deployment at apogee and main deployment at 500ft.
Ejection charges were fired using Quest Q2G2 igniters and Blackhorn 209 powder. Turned out to be a good first flight as everything worked and the rocket was recovered with just a few dents and scratches. Had to use 3grams of the Blackhorn powder per charge.
One of the F32 motors seemed to ignite a little late and the main parachute did not fully open so it came down a little hard right on the gravel within 20 yards of the launch pad.
Altimeter beeped out 645 ft for apogee, which was less than expected.
A short video of the launch is posted on my Youtube channel:
Sky Needle First Flight 6/21/15
As this was a test flight of many firsts for us, we were thrilled at how it fly. The big tail fins and canted cluster produced a very nice flight.
Planning to move the E-bay over to our SA-14 Archer and try the Sky Needle again as a single motor deploy. Should reduce the weight a bunch.
Matt