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Kit # 5035

Another quality flying model rocket kit from: Apogee Components, Inc.

3355 Fillmore Ridge HeightsColorado Springs, CO 80907 USA

Visit our web site at: www.ApogeeRockets.com

Avion Parts List

P/N Description Qty

41032 Avion Decal Sheet 110096 Airframe Tube (AT-24/12) 110068 Airframe Tube (AT-18/2.75) 113031 Centering Ring (CR18-24) 213029 Centering Ring (CR13/18) 413051 Launch lug (1.0” Long) 119400 Plastic Nose Cone (PNC-24) 119401 Plastic Nose Cone Shoulder 129505 100# Kevlar Shock Cord (30” Long) 424041 Regular Engine Hook 129500 Parachute Shroud Lines 6ft23011 Parachute Rings 629500 12” Parachute 131076 Avion Instructions A 131077 Avion Instructions B 115545 Avion Balsa Fins Sheets 1

Other Tools and Materials Needed

Scissors • Spray Paint• Hobby Knife• Pencil• Wood Glue (or White Glue)• Masking Tape • Sandpaper & Sanding Block (200 and 400 grit)• Ruler• Sanding Sealer• Paint Brush• Plastic Model Cement•

Skill Level 1 - Easy to Construct and Fly!

This model is really easy to build if you follow the instructions. Read the entire set of instructions first; by doing this, you’ll have a sense of the important items that will make the AVION function properly.

Sheet A - P/N 31076

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Apogee AVION Motor Mount Assembly

Construction of 18mm Motor Mount 1. Cut a notch with a hobby knife, 1/8 inch (3 mm) long, and 2.1/2 inches (63.5mm) from one end of the motor mount tube. This is now the back or aft end of the tube. Also mark the tube 1/2 inch (13 mm) from the aft end with a pencil. Insert one end of the engine hook into the slit.

2. Apply a bead of glue 1/4 inch (6 mm) from the aft end of the motor mount tube and quickly slip one of the green 18-24 centering rings over the engine hook and onto the motor mount tube over the mark you made at 1/2 inch (13 mm) from the end.

3. Cut a small notch on the inside of the other green 18-24 centering ring. Pass one end of the shock cord through the centering ring and tie the cord around the motor mount tube. Run a bead of glue around the forward end of the motor mount tube. Slip the ring onto the forward end of the motor mount tube with the ring even until the end of the tube. Pull the shock cord tight up against the centering ring.

4. Apply glue to the knot to ensure that it stays in place. Apply glue fillets to both sides of the centering rings and allow them to dry.

5. Glue the small blue centering ring (CR13-18) inside the forward end of the motor mount tube as an engine block. Use a scrap piece of balsa to help apply the glue to the inside of the tube. Use a rocket motor to push the motor block until it rests against the ring inside the tube.

Bead of glue

1/2”(13mm) 1/2”

(13mm)

Bead of glue

Fillets here

2.5”(63.5mm)

Mark at 1/2” (13mm)1/8”(3mm)

Cut slitAft end

Forward

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6. Using a stick, apply glue 2-3/8 inches (60 mm) inside the aft end of the big body tube. Mark the stick at 2-3/8 inches so you know how far to insert it.

7. Temporarily pass the shock cord through the motor mount and out the rear. Quickly and smoothly insert the motor mount tube into the aft end of the body tube. The end of the motor mount should stick out 1/4 inch from the rear of the body tube. Finish this step by applying a glue fillet to the rear centering ring.

Apogee AVION Rocket Assembly

8. Fine sand the balsa sheets using 400 grit sandpaper before removing the fins. Carefully remove all the pieces from the balsa sheet by freeing the edges with a sharp hobby knife.

9. Group the three fins together and gently sand the edges as shown in the illustration.

10. Cut out the tube marking guide from the pattern sheet on page 6 Wrap the guide around the aft end of the body tube and tape the ends together, making sure to line up the launch lug line with the engine hook and then mark the body tube at each of the arrow points. Remove the marking guide.

11. Using a door frame, draw a pencil line down the outside of the body tube at each pencil mark. Label the launch lug line so you don’t glue a fin in the wrong position.

Mark stick at (2 3/8”)

Sheet B - P/N 31077

Insert in one quick movement

1/4” (6mm)

Pass the shock cord back through the tube after installing the motor mount tube.

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12. Apply wood glue to the root edge of one of the fins. Allow the glue to dry slightly for a few minutes, then attach it to the body tube as shown in the illustration. Make sure the fin is straight along the tube. Allow the fin to dry before proceeding with the next fin. Repeat with the other two fins.

13. Apply a bead of wood glue to both sides of each fin-body tube joint. Pull your finger along the joint to smooth out and remove the excess glue. Lay the tube horizontally while the glue dries.

14. Using wood glue, attach the launch lug to the body tube between the fins, making sure the launch lug is positioned on the pencil line that is in line with the engine hook. Glue it 3-1/4 inches (83 mm) from the aft end of the body tube. Allow the glue to dry.

15. Using plastic modeling cement, glue the nose cone shoulder into the nose cone. Allow the glue to dry.

16. Tie the forward end of the shock cord onto the base of the nose cone.

Yes

Glue

No

3 1/4”

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17. Cut out the plastic parachute with a pair of scissors and place the ring tabs over the circles on each of the points of the parachute, as shown in the illustration. Next, poke holes in the center of the rings with a sharpened pencil. Find the shroud line cut the string into three equal lengths and tie them through the ring hole as shown.

18. Holding the parachute at the center of it’s top, pull the lines together to even up the ends. Thread the four looped lines through the loop at the base of the nose cone. Take the top of the parachute and pull it through all three string loops at the same time and then pull to tighten the knot (See instructions on parachute) This securely attaches the parachute to the rocket.

19. Fold the parachute up and insert it into the body tube with the shock cord. Finally, place the nose cone on top of the rocket.

After all the glue has completely dried, you may paint your rocket. Sealing and sanding the balsa parts reduces drag (meaning higher flights) and greatly improves the rocket’s appearance. Apply a coat of sanding sealer to the fins with a paint brush. When the sealer is dry, lightly sand the sealed surfaces. Repeat the sealing and sanding procedure until the balsa grain is filled and the fins look and feel smooth.

Cut

Her

e

Cut

Her

e

www.ApogeeRockets.com

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20. Roll a piece of paper and insert it into the motor mount tube so you can hold the model while painting it. For best results, paint the model with primer before using the final color paint. Follow the directions on the paint can, and always paint outdoors with the wind against your back. Let the paint harden at least 24 hours before proceeding

21.Cut around the perimeter of the decal with a pair of scissors. Peel off the paper backing, and affix the decal in place on the model. Use the pictures in this step for decal placement.

Launch Supplies Needed

To Launch your rocket you will need the following supplies:

A model rocket launching system• Flame resistant recovery wadding• Recommended Rocket Motors: • see motor chart to the right.

Rocket Preflight

A. Crumple and insert 2 sheets of recovery wadding into the body tube. B. Fold the parachute and insert it into the tube with the shock cord. Then install the nose cone into place. C. Insert the rocket motor into the aft end of the rocket. D. Insert and secure the igniter as directed in the motor instructions.

Countdown and Launch Procedure

Fly your rocket on a large field that isn’t near any power lines, trees, or low flying aircraft. The larger the field, the greater your chances of recovering your rocket. The launch area around the pad must be free of dry weeds and brown grass. Launch only during calm weather with very little or no wind and good visibility.

10. Remove the safety key from the launch controller.

9. Slide the launch lugs over the launch rod to place the rocket on the pad. The rocket should slide freely over the rod.

8. Attach the micro-clips to the igniter wires. The clips or the wires must not touch each other or the metal blast deflector.

7. Stand back from your rocket as far as the launch wire allows (at least 5 meters or 15 feet).

6. Insert the safety key to arm the launch system. The light (or buzzer) on the controller should come on.

Give a loud countdown 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... LAUNCH!

Motor Altitude (Feet) Max Speed (Miles/Hour)

Altitude (meters) Max Speed (m/s)

A6-4 270.72 101.75 82.52 45.49B6-4 732.42 218.16 223.24 97.53A8-3 300.75 101.81 91.67 45.51C6-5 1312.93 301.51 400.18 134.79

D10-7 2276.20 564.92 693.78 252.54D21-7 2272.27 662.16 692.59 296.01

AVION Recomended Motors

Push and hold the button until the motor ignites. Then remove the safety key and place the safety cap on the launch rod.

Misfire Procedure

Occasionally the igniter will burn, but the motor will fail to ignite. If this happens, the cause is that the pyrogen on the igniter was not in contact with the motor’s propellant. When an ignition failure occurs, remove the safety key from the launch controller and wait 60 seconds before approaching the rocket. Remove the old igniter from the motor and install a new one. Make sure the igniter is inserted fully into the motor and touches the propellant. Secure the igniter as directed on the motor package and repeat the countdown and launch procedure.Always follow the National Association of Rocketry Model Rocket Safety Code when launching model rockets.

Overlap

Fin

Fin

Fin

Launch Lug

TUBe MARKING GUIDe