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EZI-65The Loc/Precision EZI-65 kit is the rocket which is supposed to get me my Tripoli level 2 certification. This is a high-performance rocket which is reasonably stable and should give outstanding flights on I and J motors. (Of course, as is typical for me, I've done things backwards and have already built several larger rockets.) The rec.models.rockets community seemed to favor the Loc/Precision EZI-65 as the ideal level 1 certification rocket. However, I'd already purchased the I-ROC and since it has a 38mm motor mount, it seemed more appropriate for level 1 (H and I motors). The EZI-65 flies on I and J motors (it has a 54mm motor mount), which is just up into the level 2 range. The color scheme Loc/Precision chose is hideous, so I decided to go wild on this rocket and do it as modern art. I also had just found a new kind of Krylon paint: Brass metallic, which I wanted to try. If it isn't obvious, imagine an abstract painting (such as a Mondrian, a Dutch geometric painter) with the fins and nose as the picture frame. (OK, so it is a bit of a stretch.) I shredded the original rocket attempting my level 2 certification, but a rebirth was completed as a Rocketry Online How-To Classroom forum series, but is now hosted on Rocketry Planet in the Tech Tips Series. Join us and build a super-strong rocket and certify in style with advanced high-power construction techniques and recovery electronics! The Pictures
On the left is the original EZI-65, built as per the kit instructions. On the right is the "level 2" version: fiberglassed, with dual-deployment and a better copy of a Mondrian painting.
On its maiden flight, the EZI-65 shredded spectacularly. It appeared to disintegrate about 100 feet off the ground. We never figured out why it shredded--perhaps a fin came off. The tail of the rocket was never recovered, although we did find the undamaged nose later. The rebuilt EZI (now the EZI-130) flew for the first time at ROC-stock in Lucerne Valley, CA on November 15th. The spectacular flight on a J800 will not be the last!
The flight was dramatic, with a total altitude of 6322 feet (as measured by the Missile Works RRC2). The parachute never fully came out of the payload section (as you can see in the picture below), but the strong construction of the rocket saved it as it came down, braked by the three sections of its dual deployment. Next flight will be with a smaller parachute which will fit more easily into the payload section. Too bad there's not enough room for a piston. 
Isn't it nice to have those recovery helpers? The rocket flew again under its informal name of Mondrian at the ROC-stock launch on June 13, 1999. This time, I decided to go for the big 'un and fly it on a K550. You can see me posing with the rocket and the motor. We're all ready to go! 
A beautiful and perfect boost and flight as you can see: 
Some black powder smoke got into the altimeter bay and the rocket is showing wear and tear due from the hot shot flights it's made, but is still in service. A very successful adaptation of the Loc/Precision kit to serious level 2 power! The Kit
The instructions for this kit were standard Loc/Precision: just enough information on
the back of the kit card.
The EZI-65 kit isn't really strong enough for level-2 motors if built stock. See my Rocketry Planet article in the Tech Tips Series. |
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The EZI landed at the edge of the lake almost in the sage.
We did manage to recover it after about a half hour of looking.
Unfortunately, the landing had jarred the batter out of the
Missile Works on-board battery holder, even though I had added a tie strap.
So, I don't know what the altitude was, although it must have been almost 10,000'.