Launch Checklist

Excuse Me: Andrew MacMillen's Level 3 Rocket (TRA #9075)
  1. [X] Assembly:
    1. [X] Dry fit components (clean/sand/tape/powder as necessary):
      1. [X] Nose cone / upper airframe
      2. [X] Upper airframe / booster
      3. [X] 98mm/64mm motor mount adapter
      4. [X] M motor, including vent tube alignment
    2. [X] Electronics bay:
      1. [X] Ensure G-Wiz MC is pointing up
      2. [X] Check altimeter wiring continuity:
        1. [X] G-Wiz MC:
          1. [X] JP3-1 (pyro +): JP3-10 (shunt)
          2. [X] JP3-2 (pyro -): n/a
          3. [X] JP3-3 (cluster/stage +): n/a
          4. [X] JP3-4 (cluster/stage -): n/a
          5. [X] JP3-5 (apogee +): primary drogue
          6. [X] JP3-6 (apogee -): primary drogue
          7. [X] JP3-7 (low alt +): backup main
          8. [X] JP3-8 (low alt -): backup main
          9. [X] JP3-9 (comp -): switched ground
          10. [X] JP3-10 (comp +): MC battery +
        2. [X] RRC2X-40K:
          1. [X] J1-1: backup drogue
          2. [X] J1-2: backup drogue
          3. [X] J2-1: primary main
          4. [X] J2-2: primary main
          5. [X] J3-1: switched ground
          6. [X] J3-2: RRC2X battery +
        3. [X] Tug on block wires with tweezers to ensure they're seated firmly
      3. [X] Altimeter settings:
        1. [X] G-Wiz MC:
          1. [X] JP1 (int/ext battery): open
          2. [X] JP2/JP6 (pyro inhibit): open
          3. [X] JP4 (cluster/stage): n/a
          4. [X] JP5 (400/800'): shunt
          5. [X] JP7 (): n/a
          6. [X] JP8 (telemetry): n/a
        2. [X] RRC2X-40K:
          1. [X] (on/off)
          2. [X] SW1-1 ((2500/2000')/(1500/1000')): off
          3. [X] SW1-2 (redundant/dual): off
          4. [X] SW1-3 (+10/0 sec delay): off
          5. [X] SW1-4 (+15/0 sec delay): on
          6. [X] SW1-5 (low/hi main (SW1)): on
      4. [X] Arm & check altimeters (manually short brass terminals as appropriate):
        1. G-Wiz MC:
          beep, beep-beep, beep, beep (batt OK, no cluster/stage, apogee OK, main OK)
        2. RRC2X-40K:
          Power up: long, long, long, short, short (SW1 settings)
          Continuity: short, short, short (main & drogue OK)
      5. [X] Power off altimeters
      6. [X] Insert electronics sled onto All-thread, through rail guides & into electronics bay
      7. [X] Tighten down electronics bay bulkheads
      8. [X] Ensure arming switches are accessible through altimeter port
      9. [X] Arm & check altimeters (manually short brass terminals as appropriate):
        1. G-Wiz MC:
          beep, beep-beep, beep, beep (batt OK, no cluster/stage, apogee OK, main OK)
        2. RRC2X-40K:
          Power up: long, long, long, short, short (SW1 settings)
          Continuity: short, short, short (main & drogue OK)
      10. [X] Power off altimeters
      11. [X] Put on safety glasses, long sleeves, hand socks, clear area!)
      12. [_] Check deployment charge continuity
      13. [X] Attach deployment charges:
        1. [X] Primary drogue: 1.0 grams
        2. [X] Backup drogue: 1.25 grams
        3. [X] Primary main: 3.0 grams
        4. [X] Backup main: 3.75 grams
        5. [X] Tape over charge terminals & deployment charge holders
      14. [X] Arm & check altimeters (safety glasses, long sleeves, hand socks, clear area!):
        1. G-Wiz MC:
          beep, beep-beep, beep, beep (batt OK, no cluster/stage, apogee OK, main OK)
        2. RRC2X-40K:
          Power up: long, long, long, short, short (SW1 settings)
          Continuity: short, short, short (main & drogue OK)
      15. [X] Power off altimeters
      16. [X] Attach harnesses to electronics bay:
        1. [X] 25' 1/2" kevlar to drogue using QuickLink
        2. [X] 25' 1/2" kevlar to main using QuickLink
    3. [X] Insert & align electronics bay into upper airframe from nose cone side until it hits the ebay stops (safety glasses, long sleeves, hand socks, clear area!)
    4. [X] Capture electronics bay in upper airframe with 6 ea 8-32 x 3/4" screws
    5. [X] Arm & check altimeters (safety glasses, clear area!):
      1. G-Wiz MC:
        2. beep, beep-beep, beep, beep (batt OK, no cluster/stage, apogee OK, main OK)
      2. RRC2X-40K:
        Power up: long, long, long, short, short (SW1 settings)
        Continuity: short, short, short (main & drogue OK)
    6. [X] Power off altimeters
    7. [X] Attach 15' 1/2" kevlar harness to booster using QuickLink
    8. [X] Powder booster coupler & inside upper airframe
    9. [X] Pack drogue parachute:
      1. [X] Fold parachute
      2. [X] Attach booster harness, drogue ebay harness, parachute, nomex with QuickLink
      3. [X] Burrito wrap & tape drogue chute assembly
    10. [_] Insert drogue chute assembly into booster side of upper airframe
    11. [X] Join upper & lower airframe
    12. [X] Fasten upper & lower airframe with 3 ea 2-56 X 1" nylon shear pins
    13. [X] Insert 98mm/64mm motor adapter into 98mm motor mount
    14. [X] Assemble Ratt M900
    15. [X] Insert motor:
      1. [X] Slide motor into 98mm/64mm MMA
      2. [X] Line up motor vent with airframe vent hole
      3. [X] Insert vent tube
      4. [X] Place stainless motor retaining plate
      5. [X] Fasten with 3 ea 10-24 x 2.5" stainless screws
    16. [X] Arm tracking device, insert & secure in tracking bay
    17. [X] Attach 15' 1/2" kevlar harness to nosecone using QuickLink
    18. [X] Powder nose cone shoulder & inside upper airframe
    19. [X] Pack main parachute:
      1. [X] Fold parachute
      2. [X] Attach nose cone harness, main ebay harness, parachute, nomex with QuickLink
      3. [X] Burrito wrap & tape main chute assembly
    20. [X] Insert main chute assembly into nose cone side of upper airframe
    21. [X] Insert nose cone
    22. [X] Fasten nose cone to upper airframe with 3 ea 2-56 X 1" nylon shear pins
    23. [X] Arm & check altimeters (safety glasses, clear area!):
      1. G-Wiz MC:
        beep, beep-beep, beep, beep (batt OK, no cluster/stage, apogee OK, main OK)
      2. RRC2X-40K:
        Power up: long, long, long, short, short (SW1 settings)
        Continuity: short, short, short (main & drogue OK)
    24. [X] Power off altimeters
  2. [X] Launch prep:
    1. [X] RSO:
      1. [X] Flight card
      2. [X] LCO notification
      3. [X] RSO signature
    2. [X] GSE:
      1. [X] Set up Pratt RTLS, nitrous tank, manifold, fill line
      2. [X] Check Pratt RTLS fill, dump, continuity, fire
      3. [X] Turn Pratt RTLS off
      4. [X] 40 lb pad with 10' rail @ 500'
      5. [X] Rail stop
      6. [X] 8' Ladder
    3. [X] Launch conditions:
      1. [X] Nitrous between 700-800 psi
      2. [X] Wind speed less than 8-10 mph
      3. [X] Ceiling above 12,000'
      4. [X] Pad anchored
      5. [X] Launch angle
    4. [X] Transport rocket to pad
    5. [X] Breathe
    6. [X] Load rocket onto pad:
      1. [_] Adjust rail stop
      2. [X] Unlock & lower pad rail
      3. [X] Place rocket onto rail down to rail stop
      4. [_] Secure with cam straps
      5. [X] Raise & lock pad rail
      6. [X] Attach nitrous fill line & secure to pad/rail
      7. [X] Attach ignition leads & secure to pad/rail
      8. [_] Remove cam straps
      9. [X] Arm Pratt RTLS, check continuity
      10. [X] Turn Pratt RTLS off
    7. [X] Breathe
  3. [X] Launch:
    1. [X] Check FRS radio communication:
      1. [X] TAP coordinator
      2. [X] LCO
      3. [X] Nitrous spotters
    2. [X] Receive LCO permission to proceed
    3. [X] Clear personnel from pad area
    4. [X] Arm Pratt RTLS, close cover
    5. [X] Arm & check altimeters (ladder safety!):
      1. G-Wiz MC:
        beep, beep-beep, beep, beep (batt OK, no cluster/stage, apogee OK, main OK)
      2. RRC2X-40K:
        Power up: long, long, long, short, short (SW1 settings)
        Continuity: short, short, short (main & drogue OK)
    6. [X] Leave nitrous spotter by pad
    7. [X] Retreat with list checker to launch head
    8. [X] Breathe
    9. [X] Receive LCO permission to launch
    10. [X] 5 sec pulse on nitrous fill
    11. [X] Verify fill solenoid engaged & vent is hissing with nitrous spotter
    12. [X] Nitrous spotter retreats to safe distance
    13. [X] Start & time fill
    14. [X] Breathe
    15. [X] Wait for nitrous spotter to verify venting liquid nitrous
    16. [X] Fill time: 1 minute 10 seconds
    17. [X] Breathe
    18. [X] Arm launch controller
    19. [X] Fire!
  4. [X] Launch anomalies:
    1. [X] No
    2. Yes:
      1. Type : ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
      2. Remediation : ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
  5. [X] Flight, including characteristics:
    1. [X] Preheater ignition : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    2. [X] Ignition : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    3. [X] Liftoff : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    4. [X] Boost : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    5. [X] Coast : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    6. [X] Drogue deployment:
      1. [_] before apogee
      2. [_] at apogee
      3. [_] after apogee
      4. [_] didn't deploy
      5. [_] clean deployment
      6. [X] didn't see, recovered clean
      7. [_] problems: ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
    7. [X] Check that 2 drogue charges fired
    8. [X] Drogue descent : fast & flopping due to last minute drogue-less choice
    9. [X] Main deployment:
      1. [_] 1000'
      2. [X] 800'
      3. [_] didn't deploy
      4. [_] clean deployment : ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
      5. [X] problems: nose cone & its' harness executed a 1/2 overhand knot plus full twist around lower upper airframe harness; knot prevented main bundle from opening
    10. [X] Check that 2 main charges fired (1000'/800')
    11. [_] Main descent : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    12. [X] Spot touchdown or last visible
  6. [X] Post Flight:
    1. [X] Coordinate retrieval with tracker, spotters & mule(s)
    2. [X] Find rocket
    3. [X] Check layout on ground:
      1. [X] All airframe pieces present
      2. [X] Drogue deployed
      3. [_] Main deployed
      4. [X] Motor retained
      5. [_] No damage
    4. [X] Check all 4 charges fired (safety glasses, flashlight, clear area!)
    5. [X] Check altimeter readings:
      1. [X] G-Wiz MC: 7976' (baro), 8109' (accel)
      2. [X] RRC2X-40K: 7997'
    6. [X] Pack rocket
    7. [X] Return to launch area
    8. [X] Remove & power down tracking device, return to owner
    9. [_] Drogue & main deployed 'as planned' for cert
    10. [X] Recovered within 2NM of launch for cert
    11. [_] TAP L3 signature
    12. [X] Party!
  7. [X] Post-post flight:
    1. [_] Send L3 cert form to Tripoli
    2. [X] Clean rocket & motor
    3. [X] Contact photographers & videographers
    4. [X] Download G-Wiz MC data
    5. [X] Update website with launch report