Rocketry Planet

At a launch in Orangeburg, S.C. I had the opportunity to evaluate both the new deployment Freebags and the new "Classic II" Skyangle parachute offered by B2 Rocketry. They currently offer their deployment bags in three sizes to fit their line of "Cert-3" main parachutes. (bag sizes 9x11,9x14,and 10x17 inches)

They will of course work with other parachutes in this size range as well.

The bags are constructed out of nomex and have loops sewn onto the bags for the orderly arrangement of suspension lines (I have a picture).

The new Classic II parachutes are the same design as the Classic with the substitution of 1.9 ounce ripstop nylon for the canopy and a heavier duty 1500 lb. swivel.

A unique aspect of the Skyangle deployment bag is the method of use recommended by the manufacturer.

You attach the deployment bag tether line along with another parachute to the nosecone.

The main chute suspension line attachment is to the shock cord in the rocket.

There is no attachment between the nosecone and the body of the rocket. According to Skyangle this reduces the chance of entanglement. (I have a picture).

When I asked Mike and Pam Barton of Skyangle about evaluating their product they supplied me with the proper bag and chutes for the test rocket (the venerable recovery system test bird i.e. the big purple Bruiser).

We used their small deployment bag, a "44" Classic II chute for the body of the rocket and a "28" for the nosecone. They then walked me through the packing and preparation of their system.

The Bruiser was loaded with a J275-M and carried to the pads. After a check of the skies and a countdown the rocket took to the sky on a straight boost. Just past apogee deployment occurred.

The rocket began separating as the chute on the nosecone inflated and you could see the suspension lines pulling from the bag followed by the main chute.

Inflation of the main canopy was very controlled and orderly. The two sections then drifted down and landed within 50 feet of each other. Upon inspection the rocket was undamaged and the chutes were "uncooked." The system was very easy to use and everything worked as designed.