Latest Update: 29th March 2026 - Day 244 - Tajfun 2 and Nova flights

Day 232 - Paper Helicopters #2

Date: 2nd March 2024
Location: Whalan Reserve, Australia
Conditions: Overcast, Rainy
Members: GK and PK

Paper Helicopters #2

Today we had another go at flying a rocket with Paper helicopters. Last time we flew small ones made out of regular A4 paper. But they were quite difficult to see against the clouds. This time we decided to make slightly larger ones and with coloured paper on one side so that they would flash colours as they would spin making them more visible.

The release mechanism was exactly the same as the previous attempt with a fairing separating when the parachute was deployed.

We only got to do one flight with them at 110psi. The helicopters deployed right near apogee and again a number of them failed to fully open and fall quickly to the ground.

Again because the sky was overcast, it was quite difficult to see them against the sky. I think this experiment needs to be performed with blue skies to get the full effect. The helicopters also need to be changed so that they can be easily folded and then work reliably on deployment as a number of them fell straight down.

Launch Details
1
Rocket   Axion VII
Pressure   110psi
Nozzle   9 mm
Water   1300mL + foam
Flight Computer   ST II - 4 seconds
Payload   Paper Helicopters.
Altitude / Time   ?
Notes   Good flight, good recovery,