Phoenix
Page 1
Introduction
C
ONGRATULATIONS! You are now embarking
on a new and exciting era in model aviation,
high performance rocket gliders! Phoenix is the
first of a new generation of rocket gliders from
AeroTech and it will provide you with many
exciting and satisfying flights. Thank you for
choosing Phoenix!
Phoenix is the culmination of many years of
flight and design experience with model air-
planes, model rockets and with rocket gliders.
Designed for the intermediate to advanced
level pilot who wants high performance, both
in the launch and in the glide phases of flight,
Phoenix is a revolutionary design. You’ll have a
new class of model, exciting and different,
unlike anything you currently have in your
model airplane hangar.
What do we mean when we describe Phoenix
as revolutionary ? By using extensive computer
aided design, from the custom airfoils to the
overall configuration, Phoenix uses the latest
breakthroughs in aerodynamics to achieve
these unique design goals:
• smooth, precise handling on launch
• low drag for outstanding launch perfor-
mance
• ability to withstand the high speed and
acceleration of launch
• high L/D and large speed range during
glide for easy thermalling
• fully aerobatic during glide
• light weight and ease of construction
• maximum efficiency through an integrat-
ed rocket design
You’ll be able to experience all of these objec-
tives for yourself as you build and fly Phoenix.
We’ve carefully laid out the plans, detailed the
instructions and chosen the wood and other
components so that your Phoenix can be as
good as ours and you can have as much fun as
we have had.
If you are an intermediate level pilot, you’ll be
able to immediately enjoy the high perfor-
mance characteristics of Phoenix. By interme-
diate level, we mean someone who has previ-
ously built and successfully flown aileron
equipped aerobatic RC models. While Phoenix
is not difficult to fly for a pilot who has already
flown several other planes, it is not for the
novice or beginner pilots.
P
HOENIX does not require that you have pre-
vious experience with model rockets. You
just have to remember to follow some common
sense safety rules. Just like it is a good idea to
keep your hand out of a spinning prop, Phoenix
should be launched only from its launcher, and
only with a remote electrical ignition system.
Please read the flying and safety sections in
this manual for further details..
We ask that you follow the instructions as writ-
ten, because after many prototypes and much
experimentation, we’ve learned what tools,
techniques and components work best. While
Phoenix is easy to build because of the work
we’ve put into it, the design is integrated, so
that every detail contributes to the overall per-
formance and changing one part of the design
will impact the performance in other areas.
For maximum performance and safety, you
must:
• Build Phoenix as described
• Install a fully working, tested and legal
radio system
• Follow the AMA safety code, and the
Rocket Glider safety code, as described
in this manual
• Always use the recommended rocket
motor reloads from AeroTech
• Test fly the Phoenix as described in this
manual, and lastly
• Have a great time flying Phoenix!
We know that you’ll enjoy your Phoenix Rocket
Glider and you will have many exciting flights.
We look forward to hearing from you: your
comments, suggestions and experiences.
Included in this kit is a product registration
and evaluation card. We’d appreciate you com-
pleting it so we may do a better job in future
rocket glider kits. We always look forward to
your comments.
Thanks again for choosing Phoenix!