Welcome

Three propellants are currently available in the UK.

White Lightning

White Lightning is a great all-round propellant with a dense smoke trail. The motor designation for this propellant is 'W'.

The White Lightning propellant is a conventional/classic burn. In some motors this propellant can be made as a slow burner, great for high altitude flights.

Redline

Redline has a long distinct red flame with less smoke. The motor designation for this propellant is 'R'.

The Redline propellant is a fast burn, great for spectacular fast flights.

Blue Thunder

Blue Thunder has very little flame or smoke but burns fast with a great 'punch'. The motor designation for this propellant is 'T'.

The Blue Thunder propellant is a very fast burn, typically offering high thrust at shorter burn times.

Naming Convention

Aerotech motors are named in one of two conventions, depending on the specific motor.

The two naming conventions are easily distinguishable based upon the designation before the hyphen.

Low power naming, e.g. F67-4W

Low power motors are typically named with a single letter and a number before the hyphen. After the hyphen you will see a number (or the letter P) followed by the propellant designation.

Example: F67-4W

F: The motor class as determined by the total impulse. An F class motor has between 40 and 80 Newton-seconds of total impulse.
67: The average thrust in Newtons. This example motor has an average thrust of 67 Newtons. Since we know it must be between 40 and 80 Newton-seconds total impulse this means that the motor must burn between 0.6 and 1.2 seconds.
4: The delay time in seconds, or the letter P if plugged (no ejection charge). This delay is measured from propellant burnout, even though the delay grain is typically lit at motor ignition. In this example the motor ejection charge is expected to ignite four seconds after motor burnout, i.e. around five seconds after launch. Some motors permit delay grain replacements using the parts found in HDK or CRDK.
W: The propellant type. In this case the motor has a White Lightning propellant.

High power naming, e.g. I140W-14A

High power motors are typically named with a single letter, a number and the propellant designation before the hyphen. After the hyphen you will see either the letter P or the delay specification.

Example: I140W-14A

I: The motor class as determined by the total impulse. An I class motor has between 320 and 640 Newton-seconds of total impulse.
140: The average thrust in Newtons. This example motor has an average thrust of 140 Newtons. Since we know it must be between 320 and 640 Newton-seconds total impulse this means that the motor must burn between 2.3 and 4.6 seconds.
W: The propellant type. In this case the motor has a White Lightning propellant.
14: The delay time in seconds, or the letter P if plugged (no ejection charge). This delay is measured from propellant burnout, even though the delay grain is typically lit at motor ignition. In this example the motor ejection charge is expected to ignite fourteen seconds after motor burnout. Some motors permit delay grain replacements using the parts found in HDK or CRDK.
A: The delay adjustability. The presence of the letter A indicates that the delay may be adjusted (shortened) by using the Universal Delay Drilling Tool (UDDT). This tool may be used to remove a precise amount of the delay grain, shortening the delay by a prescribed amount. The UDDT may be found on the Miscellaneous page of the price list. The absence of the letter A after the delay time indicates that the delay is fixed and may only be adjusted by replacing the delay grain.