Phoenix
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Flying Phoenix
AeroTech Mantis™ launcher. We like it because
it is lightweight and disassembles for easy
transport.
If you would rather build your own base for the
launch tower, we've included the plans for a
base that you can build from readily available
parts. Refer to Appendix E for the plans for this
base. Note that the launch tower that we've
included works on both types of bases. So if
you start with the base that you built yourself,
you can easily upgrade it to the Mantis base at
a later date.
An electrical launch controller
and a battery are used to actu-
ally ignite the Phoenix motor.
This combination provides a
push-button, controllable
method for the launch. The
controller is essentially a
"switch" to connect the bat-
tery to the igniter that you
insert into the rocket motor
(igniters are included with
each AeroTech rocket motor).
For safe and easy operation,
we suggest you use an
AeroTech Interlock™ launch
controller. First, it has a safety
interlock switch - to help pre-
vent your model from being
launched accidentally. Next, it
has an audible continuity indicator - so you
know that all of the connections from the bat-
tery through the igniter are all set and ready to
go. These two features - the safety interlock
switch and the continuity indicator - should be
in your electrical launch system for Phoenix,
regardless of what you use.
AeroTech offers a starter set that includes both
the Mantis launcher and the Interlock launch
controller. This is an ideal way to get going.
Information on both are included elsewhere in
this kit.
In addition to the controller, you need a bat-
tery. The standard 12 Volt rechargeable batter-
ies used to run model airplanes starters are
ideal, but a car battery can also be used.
When you wire the final system, we suggest
that the wires from the launch controller to the
model be at least 30 feet long. This provides for
more than enough space between whomever
pushes the button and the model - for safety as
well as for an ideal spot to watch the launch!
Test Glides
I
F you have experience with test gliding other
high performance RC gliders, you might want
to consider giving your
Phoenix a hand toss before
you rocket launch it. Be care-
ful, however, Phoenix is not
an easy model to hand
launch. It has a moderately
high wing loading, and it is
difficult to hold on to while
throwing it. Just make sure
that you launch it wings
level, with the nose pointed
slightly down and with ade-
quate flying speed. Try to
trim the model for a smooth
fast glide. If the model is
properly balanced (CG is in
the correct place) and it is
correctly built, a test glide is
not essential. So, if you would
rather not hand toss the
model, go ahead and do the
first flight with rocket power.
Launch Trim Setting
P
hoenix requires a different trim setting for
launch than it does for glide. Just like any
other airplane, it requires a different elevator
setting to fly fast than it needs to fly slow. You
actually want to set the launch trim so that the
wing will not produce any lift at all. This trim
setting is the same as you would use for a verti-
cal dive. It is also halfway between the settings
for steady inverted flight and normal upright
flight. While the actual trim settings will vary
from one model to the next, approximate eleva-
tor positions are shown in the drawing. This
should get you close enough for first flight.
