How To Get The Darn Thing Down

Recovery Methods

Tumblers

These have no recovery method but dropping out of the sky like a badminton bird. Only for the featherweight models of perhaps 1oz on-the-pad total weight. If you wouldn't want it to fall onto a child's head, it isn't a freefall candidate.

Streamers

This too is for lighter rockets, up to 3oz on-the-pad total weight. When you've finished your test flights on the 'A' motors, you may want to switch to a streamer instead of the parachute. You may be unpleasantly surprised at how high your baby will go (and drift) when you step up to a 'B' or especially a 'C' motor. How High Is High?

Parachutes

This is the most common recovery method so don't try to act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Your starter rocket most likely includes one of these. Follow the directions for assembly, but be warned that the instructions for connecting the shroud lines to the canopy material may not be the best. Follow this link for a suggestion on a better way. Parachute Lines

The stock parachute should be fine for your first test launch. But for higher flights with larger motors, you may want to modify it or buy/make another to have a round 2" hole in the center. This lets the rocket fall faster and drift less when returning from those dizzy heights. If it's a dead calm day, don't worry about it.

Gliders

I haven't had any experience with these at all, but they look beyond the first-time rocketeer to me. I'd leave these for when you have more experience.

Lawn Darts

This is when some other recovery method has failed and your creation is going too heavy or going too fast to tumble. It's hurtling toward the ground like a javelin. Not recommended at any level of experience.

Distant Speck On The Horizon

I warned you! Hope you wrote your phone number and "Reward" on it. Paying some kind stranger a few bucks to get your runaway back is better than buying a new kit for $7 or $8 and having to start from scratch again. Unless of course your first rocket looked like a Frankenstein experiment gone wrong.