Launch Checklist

Excuse Me: Andrew MacMillen's Level 3 Rocket (TRA #9075)
  1. [ ] Assembly:
    1. [ ] Dry fit components (clean/sand/tape/powder as necessary):
      1. [ ] Nose cone / upper airframe
      2. [ ] Upper airframe / booster
      3. [ ] 98mm/64mm motor mount adapter
      4. [ ] M motor, including vent tube alignment
    2. [ ] Electronics bay:
      1. [ ] Ensure G-Wiz MC is pointing up
      2. [ ] Check altimeter wiring continuity:
        1. [ ] G-Wiz MC:
          1. [ ] JP3-1 (pyro +): JP3-10 (shunt)
          2. [ ] JP3-2 (pyro -): n/a
          3. [ ] JP3-3 (cluster/stage +): n/a
          4. [ ] JP3-4 (cluster/stage -): n/a
          5. [ ] JP3-5 (apogee +): primary drogue
          6. [ ] JP3-6 (apogee -): primary drogue
          7. [ ] JP3-7 (low alt +): backup main
          8. [ ] JP3-8 (low alt -): backup main
          9. [ ] JP3-9 (comp -): switched ground
          10. [ ] JP3-10 (comp +): MC battery +
        2. [ ] RRC2X-40K:
          1. [ ] J1-1: backup drogue
          2. [ ] J1-2: backup drogue
          3. [ ] J2-1: primary main
          4. [ ] J2-2: primary main
          5. [ ] J3-1: switched ground
          6. [ ] J3-2: RRC2X battery +
        3. [ ] Tug on block wires with tweezers to ensure they're seated firmly
      3. [ ] Altimeter settings:
        1. [ ] G-Wiz MC:
          1. [ ] JP1 (int/ext battery): open
          2. [ ] JP2/JP6 (pyro inhibit): open
          3. [ ] JP4 (cluster/stage): n/a
          4. [ ] JP5 (400/800'): shunt
          5. [ ] JP7 (): n/a
          6. [ ] JP8 (telemetry): n/a
        2. [ ] RRC2X-40K:
          1. [ ] (on/off)
          2. [ ] SW1-1 ((2500/2000')/(1500/1000')): off
          3. [ ] SW1-2 (redundant/dual): off
          4. [ ] SW1-3 (+10/0 sec delay): off
          5. [ ] SW1-4 (+15/0 sec delay): on
          6. [ ] SW1-5 (low/hi main (SW1)): on
      4. [ ] 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. [ ] Power off altimeters
      6. [ ] Insert electronics sled onto All-thread, through rail guides & into electronics bay
      7. [ ] Tighten down electronics bay bulkheads
      8. [ ] Ensure arming switches are accessible through altimeter port
      9. [ ] 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. [ ] Power off altimeters
      11. [ ] Put on safety glasses, long sleeves, hand socks, clear area!)
      12. [ ] Check deployment charge continuity
      13. [ ] Attach deployment charges:
        1. [ ] Primary drogue: 1.0 grams
        2. [ ] Backup drogue: 1.25 grams
        3. [ ] Primary main: 3.5 grams
        4. [ ] Backup main: 4.4 grams
        5. [ ] Tape over charge terminals & deployment charge holders
      14. [ ] 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. [ ] Power off altimeters
      16. [ ] Attach harnesses to electronics bay:
        1. [ ] 25' 1/4" kevlar to drogue
        2. [ ] 25' 1/4" kevlar to main
    3. [ ] 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. [ ] Capture electronics bay in upper airframe with 6 ea 8-32 x 3/4" screws
    5. [ ] 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. [ ] Power off altimeters
    7. [ ] Attach 15' 1/4" kevlar harness to booster
    8. [ ] Powder booster coupler & inside upper airframe
    9. [ ] Pack drogue parachute:
      1. [ ] Fold parachute
      2. [ ] Attach booster harness, drogue ebay harness, parachute, nomex with QuickLink
      3. [ ] Burrito wrap & tape drogue chute assembly
    10. [ ] Insert drogue chute assembly into booster side of upper airframe
    11. [ ] Join upper & lower airframe
    12. [ ] Fasten upper & lower airframe with 3 ea 2-56 X 1" nylon shear pins
    13. [ ] Insert 98mm/64mm motor adapter into 98mm motor mount
    14. [ ] Assemble Ratt M900
    15. [ ] Insert motor:
      1. [ ] Slide motor into 98mm/64mm MMA
      2. [ ] Line up motor vent with airframe vent hole
      3. [ ] Insert vent tube
      4. [ ] Place stainless motor retaining plate
      5. [ ] Fasten with 3 ea 10-24 x 2.5" stainless screws
    16. [ ] Arm tracking device, insert & secure in tracking bay
    17. [ ] Attach 15' 1/4" kevlar harness to nosecone
    18. [ ] Powder nose cone shoulder & inside upper airframe
    19. [ ] Pack main parachute:
      1. [ ] Fold parachute
      2. [ ] Attach nose cone harness, main ebay harness, parachute, nomex with QuickLink
      3. [ ] Burrito wrap & tape main chute assembly
    20. [ ] Insert main chute assembly into nose cone side of upper airframe
    21. [ ] Insert nose cone
    22. [ ] Fasten nose cone to upper airframe with 3 ea 2-56 X 1" nylon shear pins
    23. [ ] 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. [ ] Power off altimeters
  2. [ ] Launch prep:
    1. [ ] Documentation
    2. [ ] RSO:
      1. [ ] Flight card
      2. [ ] LCO notification
      3. [ ] RSO signature
    3. [ ] GSE:
      1. [ ] Set up Pratt RTLS, nitrous tank, manifold, fill line
      2. [ ] Check Pratt RTLS fill, dump, continuity, fire
      3. [ ] Turn Pratt RTLS off
      4. [ ] 50 lb pad with 10' rail @ 500'
      5. [ ] Rail stop
      6. [ ] 8' Ladder
    4. [ ] Launch conditions:
      1. [ ] Nitrous between 700-800 psi
      2. [ ] Wind speed less than 8-10 mph
      3. [ ] Ceiling above 12,000'
      4. [ ] Pad anchored
      5. [ ] Launch angle
    5. [ ] Transport rocket to pad
    6. [ ] Breathe
    7. [ ] Load rocket onto pad:
      1. [ ] Adjust rail stop
      2. [ ] Unlock & lower pad rail
      3. [ ] Place rocket onto rail down to rail stop
      4. [ ] Secure with cam straps
      5. [ ] Raise & lock pad rail
      6. [ ] Attach nitrous fill line & secure to pad/rail
      7. [ ] Attach ignition leads & secure to pad/rail
      8. [ ] Remove cam straps
      9. [ ] Arm Pratt RTLS, check continuity
      10. [ ] Turn Pratt RTLS off
    8. [ ] Breathe
  3. [ ] Launch:
    1. [ ] Check FRS radio communication:
      1. [ ] TAP coordinator
      2. [ ] LCO
      3. [ ] Nitrous spotters
    2. [ ] Receive LCO permission to proceed
    3. [ ] Clear personnel from pad area
    4. [ ] Arm Pratt RTLS, close cover
    5. [ ] 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. [ ] Leave nitrous spotter by pad
    7. [ ] Retreat with list checker to launch head
    8. [ ] Breathe
    9. [ ] Receive LCO permission to launch
    10. [ ] 5 sec pulse on nitrous fill
    11. [ ] Verify fill solenoid engaged & vent is hissing with nitrous spotter
    12. [ ] Nitrous spotter retreats to safe distance
    13. [ ] Start & time fill
    14. [ ] Breathe
    15. [ ] Wait for nitrous spotter to verify venting liquid nitrous
    16. [ ] Fill time:
    17. [ ] Breathe
    18. [ ] Arm launch controller
    19. [ ] Fire!
  4. [ ] Launch anomalies:
    1. [ ] No
    2. [ ] Yes:
      1. Type : ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
      2. Remediation : ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
  5. [ ] Flight, including characteristics:
    1. [ ] Preheater ignition : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    2. [ ] Ignition : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    3. [ ] Liftoff : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    4. [ ] Boost : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    5. [ ] Coast : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    6. [ ] Drogue deployment:
      1. [ ] before apogee
      2. [ ] at apogee
      3. [ ] after apogee
      4. [ ] didn't deploy
      5. [ ] clean deployment
      6. [ ] didn't see, recovered clean
      7. [ ] problems: ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
    7. [ ] Check that 2 drogue charges fired
    8. [ ] Drogue descent: ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    9. [ ] Main deployment:
      1. [ ] 1000'
      2. [ ] 800'
      3. [ ] didn't deploy
      4. [ ] clean deployment : ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
      5. [ ] problems: ________________________________________
        ____________________________________________________________
    10. [ ] Check that 2 main charges fired (1000'/800')
    11. [ ] Main descent : ________________________________________
      ____________________________________________________________
    12. [ ] Spot touchdown or last visible
  6. [ ] Post Flight:
    1. [ ] Coordinate retrieval with tracker, spotters & mule(s)
    2. [ ] Find rocket
    3. [ ] Check layout on ground:
      1. [ ] All airframe pieces present
      2. [ ] Drogue deployed
      3. [ ] Main deployed
      4. [ ] Motor retained
      5. [ ] No damage
    4. [ ] Check all 4 charges fired (safety glasses, flashlight, clear area!)
    5. [ ] Check altimeter readings:
      1. [ ] G-Wiz MC: ______ (baro), ______ (accel)
      2. [ ] RRC2X-40K: ______
    6. [ ] Pack rocket
    7. [ ] Return to launch area
    8. [ ] Remove & power down tracking device, return to owner
    9. [ ] Drogue & main deployed 'as planned' for cert
    10. [ ] Recovered within 2NM of launch for cert
    11. [ ] TAP L3 signature
    12. [ ] Party!
  7. [ ] Post-post flight:
    1. [ ] Send L3 cert form to Tripoli
    2. [ ] Clean rocket & motor
    3. [ ] Contact photographers & videographers
    4. [ ] Download G-Wiz MC data
    5. [ ] Update website with launch report