Low, Medium and High-Powered Rocket Preflight Personal Checklist

Add or subtract from this sample QRS Flight checklist:

Pre-Flight Checklist

1. Make sure all glue and paint on the model is dry.
2. Make sure the motor mount is secured with no loose parts.
3. Examine the shock cord or recovery harness. There should be no dry rot, no frayed or burnt fibres.
4. Check the screw eye or plastic loop on the nose cone. It should be securely attached
5. Check eyebolts and/or quick links if present. They should be securely attached.
6. Tug on both ends of the shock cord or recovery harness. It should be firmly attached.
7. Select a recovery device that is appropriate for the rocket's size and weight. Check your rate of Descent Calculations)
8. Examine the recovery device. Shroud lines should be of equal length, firmly attached and not tangled.
9. The parachute or streamer should be strong with no rips or tears.
10. The parachute or streamer must be firmly attached to the recovery harness, nose cone and/or body tube.
11. For glider or helicopter recovery check rubber bands and test mechanism or hinges.
12. The nose cone should fit snugly, not too loose or too tight.
13. Make sure the fins are aligned properly.
14. Check fins and glider wings or helicopter blades. Wood should not have splits or cracks.
15. Try to wiggle the fins to make sure the fillets do not have any cracks and the fins are securely attached.
16. Make sure launch lugs are properly aligned and securely attached to the rocket.
17. Make sure the body tube is not kinked or warped.
18. Make sure electronics are wired properly with drogue terminals and main terminals connected to the proper device.
19. Make sure electronics have good batteries and that appropriate ejection charge(s) are used based on cavity size.
20. Make sure flameproof wadding is installed (Make sure baffles are clear of obstruction).
21. The recovery system should be folded loosely.
22. Install the recovery system into the rocket.
23. Make sure shear pins, if used, are installed and properly sized for rocket size and charge size.
24. Make sure a properly sized motor for the rocket has been selected.
25. Assemble reloadable motor per reload instructions.
26. Make sure the delay grain is appropriate for the rocket. Make sure the ejection charge is loaded in the reload casing if used.
27. Install and secure the motor in the rocket.
28. Complete the QRS Flight Card with all relevant data
29. Present Rocket to QRS RSO for Final Launch Inspection

At the pad

1. Arm electronics.
2. Install the igniter and make sure it touches the propellant.
3. Make sure the igniter holder is installed properly.
4. Clean Pads cable Contacts (If required) with green Magi Scourer or steel wool.
5. Clean Launch Rod with green Magi Scourer or steel wool.
6. Check Launch Pad Cable Numbers and record on the Flight Card
7. Check Continuity on the same lead as recorded on Pad Box.
8. Return Flight Card to QRS LCO
9. Brief and prepare additional flight spotters (if required).
10. Await further instructions from QRS LCO

Please feel free to add or take away from this list as your flight requires.

What items have I missed?