HI,
Launched our first rocket Sunday. Had fun, no problems. Noticed that our little Hi-Jinks Estes would almost disappear with the lowest power engine at about 200-250'
What color parachute shows up best against a basic blue sky?
Thanks,
Lakedawgs

Black tends to do well, or any fairly dark color. I tend to prefer Mylar also, which is pretty reflective.

A better question might be, "What parachute looks best in multiple sky scenarios and on the ground?"

For me it is the international/day-glow orange. Because this color is so unnatural, the human eye can't help but pick it out. This is especially helpful in when your rocket is down in the brush. I get my parachutes from Top Flight , with the 12" thin mill best suited for most modroc applications. Also, it looks great against a blue sky.

Greg

Thanks to both.
One rocket has a checkered chute but the other has a white chute, very hard to see, but the rocket is black.
Just wondering if I do change what is good. I like the dayglow orange, especially with a dark rocket.
THANKS,
Lakedawgs

We use Mylar chutes for the visibility here at Starlight. Alot easyer to see on the ground and air.
Mr. Bob
Starlight dude
www.starlightrocketry.com

It is not surprising that a white chute can be hard to see. I remember reading/seeing (can't remember since it's been so long) that in WWII tests were conducted to make aircraft hard to see visually. They put a series of white lights on a test aircraft (IIRC, a USN TBF Avenger or something like it) and lo and behold the aircraft became nearly invisible in the sky. It seems counter-intuitive but apparently it worked. But it was not practical, so the experiment was dropped. There is however a reason that nearly all US fighter aircraft are a matte light gray, it's pretty hard to see in most skies. And in a dogfight, confusing your enemy, even for a tenth of a second, can make the difference between becoming a casualty and coming home.

Greg

My wife took video of one launch that is marginal at best. I was happy she even got the rocket in the frame.
My boy had a great time. This will be a great hobby for the both of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zPTcktA0sc

Marginal? You must be a perfectionist....

That's a great video! Check around at some of the other video of rocket launches. Your wife had the rocket in the frame the entire launch. Wish I could do that....wait, better yet, wish MY wife could do that....I'd rather be pushing the launch button....

__________________
Don
NAR 53455
"Carpe Diem"

...seems like this might be a good time to let you all know about the change in our parachutes colors. As you know, our old chutes were printed yellow/black on whilte or orange on white or that really aweful lime green and black. Anyway, with the new Fed requirements, we had to change to a plain parachute really fast. We could find a white that was compliant, so we purchased those to use short term until we could find an alternative. We now have an orange/red that really shows up well in the air or on the ground (image of an 18" attached). They have been inserting these new chutes since early this spring, so it will tak a while to get into all our products...but they are coming and this will be our color for the foreseeable future.
Mike Fritz
Estes

Attached Thumbnails

 

No identifiable logo on the chutes?

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