LOC Hi-Tech (PK-56)

Design Philosophy

The Hi-Tech is built like a tank. Everything is overbuilt — the recovery hardware, the AV bay, the shock cord attachment points. The design intent is simple: build it for J motors now, fly it on G loads this season, and let the airframe grow into its capability when field access allows.

Custom AV Bay

The stock Hi-Tech doesn't come with an avionics bay. I designed and CNC-machined a custom AV bay, reverse-engineering the dimensions from Apogee components. The bay houses the Eggtimer Quantum, battery, and terminal blocks in a 3D-printed nosecone section.

Recovery Architecture

The recovery system is a custom dual-deploy design with some clever engineering:

• Main charge: Fires at the nosecone bulkhead, directing pressure downward into the main compartment
• Drogue charge: Wired through the nosecone bulkhead to a terminal block on the main compartment side
• Quick-disconnect: The drogue charge line uses a connector that disconnects when the main fires — prevents ripping the terminal block off the bulkhead
• Shock cord attachment: Cable outriggers epoxied at the nosecone bulkhead and at motor mount centering rings

Charge Calculations

Black powder charge sizes were calculated using the standard volume-pressure formula:

grams = (volume_in³ × target_PSI) / 350

Charge Sizing (Ground Test Pending)
Airframe ID	2.56" (LOC 2.63" tubing)
Main compartment	10" payload section = 51.5 in³
Drogue compartment	~30" booster section = ~100 in³ effective
Main charge (starting point)	0.5g BP
Drogue charge (starting point)	0.9g BP

2026 Flight Season

SPAAR's home field isn't certified above G motors, so the Hi-Tech flies on Aerotech 38/120 reloadable G loads this year. The 38mm motor mount with the MMA-2 adapter gives flexibility — 29mm loads when needed, full 38mm when the field allows. The airframe and recovery system are ready for the day that happens.