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 that you have 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 you do not have an Internet connection at the launch site and also do not have any way to measure the conditions, you will need to look them up prior to travelling to the site.

4: 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".