Flight Log Sheet Instructions v1.0¶

The Far Horizons Flight Log sheet is used during the assembly and chase portions of the flight. All sections need to be filled out properly to ensure good post-flight analysis. A version of the log sheet has been labeled with numbers below followed by an explanation of each section.

0: The "FLIGHT NUMBER" in this section is used as an ID for the flight. The easiest way to track this is to number each launch in order starting from 1 (or something like 001) and associate that number with not only the log sheet, but all video and data files as well.

1: "MISSION OBJECTIVES" are goals for the mission. Examples would be "Highest altitude ever achieved", "Test rockoon launch system", and "Provide platform for student payload". The idea is that you are making the investment to fly a HAB mission, so what is it for?

2: The "PARTICIPANTS" section holds the names of everyone that takes part in the HAB assembly and launch phases. Additionally, it is helpful to list what task a person performed. Personal and emergency contact information should be collected for each participant prior to a mission, but should not be included in this section.

3:"LAUNCH CONDITIONS" refer to the ground level weather conditions at the launch site. If there is not an Internet connection at the launch site and there is no way to measure the conditions, someone will need to look them up prior to travelling to the site.

4: "PAYLOAD WEIGHTS" - In the United States, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires that the total weight of a HAB system at launch not be more than 12 pounds total. In addition to that, no single component of the HAB platform may exceed 6 pounds. This portion of the sheet helps ensure that the the FAA requirements are met.

5: "BALLOON STATS" refer to the balloon itself, and not the rest of the HAB system. The "Balloon Size" is the weight of the balloon in grams. There are 3 lines for "PSI Dispensed X" because a typical sized balloon for a HAB launch will require multiple tanks. The number of tanks will vary depending things like balloon weight, target ascent rate, maximum altitude, etc. The "Measured Lift" is found by measuring the upward pull of the balloon using a hanging scale. The "Fill Tube Weight" is added to this to compensate for the fact that the balloon will still have the fill tube attached at this point and so is already lifting its weight. When added, these two items give you "NOZZLE LIFT".

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7: "MISSION TIMES/STATS" - The "Depart Adler" field is to record the time that the HAB team leaves for the launch site, and "Site Arrival" is when the team arrives. The "Launch" time is recorded, and the altitude of 625 should be replaced by the altitude above mean sea level (MSL) of your launch site. Readings are then taken periodically from approximately 10,000 feet (2048 meters) to 70,000 feet (21336 meters) in increments of 20,000 feet (6096 meters). Record the time and the actual altitude for each on of these. The "Brust/Cut Down" field is used to record when the balloon starts descending again. You then reverse the process for the ascent, taking readings for each section of the descent. Lastly, you will record the landing time and altitude, and then the time when the HAB platform is actually found and recovered. These two times can vary significantly depending on where the HAB lands.