Planning my first H-Motor build (Goal: ~450m / 1,500ft Dual-Deployment) – What components would you choose?
Hey r/rocketry!
I'm planning my first High-Power Rocketry build. I'm aiming for about 450 meters (~1,500 ft) on an H-motor, and I want to set it up for dual-deployment right away to get comfortable with altimeters and pyrotechnics.
My main goals are to keep it light, affordable, and strong, while intentionally keeping the apogee modest so it's easy to track and recover.
Instead of a strict parts list, I'd love to hear how experienced HPR builders would approach this flight profile. What specific components would you pick for this?
Here are the flight profile parameters:
* Target Altitude: ~450 m (1,500 ft)
* Motor Class: 29mm or 38mm H-motor (single-use or reloadable)
* Recovery: Dual-deployment (Drogue at apogee, Main at ~120m / 400ft)
Here's where I'd love your recommendations:
* Airframe & Body Tube: What material and diameter would you use to hit ~450m on an H motor without overshooting? Would you go with a 3.0" Kraft paper/phenolic tube for drag/space, or a smaller 2.2" airframe? Is raw heavy-duty paper okay, or would you glass it?
* Motor Mount Size: Would you build a dedicated 29mm mount to keep it light and cheap, or build a 38mm mount with a 29mm adapter for future versatility?
* Motor Choice: What specific H-motor (AeroTech, CTI, etc.) is your go-to for a low-and-slow HPR flight?
* Altimeter & E-Bay: What's your preferred budget-friendly dual-deployment altimeter and switch setup for a first-time HPR electronics bay?
* Recovery Gear: What sizes/types of drogue and main chutes, shock cords, and retention (shear pins vs. friction fit) would you pair with this setup?
If you were building a 450m dual-deploy H-motor flyer from scratch on a budget, how would you put it together? Any hardware tips or wisdom would be awesome!