Originally Posted by Gus

Would it be safe and correct to say that the height that a traditional floating head will fly once it leaves the piston rod, with the rocket attached, would be determined by the engine used?

Motor plays a part. Strength of fit between motor and piston tube is very important. Piston tube length and weight are very important. Piston head plays a role. Rocket weight is an important part.

If this is so, what kind of heights are we looking at ? 5ft ? 10ft? More?


For both floating and fixed head pistons the rocket generally leaves the piston tube a fraction of a second after the aft end of the piston tube hits the piston head. Almost no difference between fixed and floating heads. The old theory was that floating head pistons sailed some ways above the rod before the rocket leaves the piston. Not actually so.

I'm specifically talking about 1/4A3, 1/2A3 and A3 13mm motors.


These 3 particular motors behave very similarly on a piston. A10s are a bit different with their much quicker burn.

Different motors with different thru-time curves are going to pressurize the piston differently?


Correct

it also seems to me that wind speed would have a detrimental effect on the rocket/piston tube assembly. Anybody ever seen such a combination hit with a strong wing and noticed how much it tilts before separation of the two?


Most U.S. fliers fly a piston in a tower. Wind is rarely a problem. Many Europeans tend to fly naked, piston without a tower. Wind doesn't affect their pistons but will affect the rocket itself once it leaves the piston.