A Fine Line Between Hobby and Obsession
It all started in December of 1994 when my then ten-year-old son, Chris, got an Estes Super Shot starter kit as a gift. My Father had gotten me interested in building and flying model airplanes at a pretty young age, so I thought that this might be a good opportunity to develop that same kind of interest with my son.
We built the two rockets in the kit and flew them at a friend’s house since he had about three fairly open acres. The Super Shot flew nicely two or three times and was recovered without sustaining any significant damage. The smaller Twister made a left turn about fifty feet up and was never seen again. (Lesson #1- Don’t get too attached to any rocket you intend to launch) Nonetheless, we visited the local hobby shop the following week and bought a couple of kits and some more launch supplies. Our next visit to the launch site had similar results…some very nice flights and a few mishaps. We continued on this cycle for a while with a variety of "B" and "C" powered rockets until we made an exciting discovery…"D" power. Our first "D" rocket was an Estes Phoenix that made about five flights before finding a large tree at the lower end of the launch site. The first time we launched it, I knew I was hopelessly hooked on these large birds, and had to find a larger site.While searching the Internet, I happened upon the National Association of Rocketry web site and we immediately joined. We then found the local NAR chapter, the Pittsburgh Space Command, and emailed a few members to inquire about local launch sites. We were invited to attend the next monthly sport launch at a site about an hour away. From the moment we arrived, I knew that rocketry as we knew it would not be the same. We were introduced to all the club members and some members of the local Tripoli Pittsburgh Prefecture #1 as well. (Note: The local Tripoli chapter was originally known as the Tripoli Federation of Rocket Clubs and eventually evolved into the national organization.)
We were invited to attend an event in October of 1998 that I never knew existed, and would change my life significantly. Dragon’s Fire VIII was our first High Powered launch and the moment I saw that first "I" motor powered flight, I knew that rocketry as I had known it would never be the same. We soon were members of Tripoli Pittsburgh as well as the Tripoli Rocketry Association.Over the next six months, we made our way through "E", "F" and "G" powered rockets and learned more than we had in the previous three and a half years. I especially enjoy designing and building from scratch but have also built quite a few larger kits.
In April of 1999, at Dragon’s Fire 10, I achieved Level 1 certification using a PML Bull Puppy on an AeroTech H242T reload. On August 5, 2000 at Dragon's Fire 16, I earned my Level 2 certification with a LOC WarLOC and a 54mm J275W reload.History repeated itself on August 17, 2002 when Chris succeeded in obtaining his Level 1 Certification, also using a PML Bull Puppy and an AeroTech H242 reload. Click here for photo.
After much procrastination and design changes, I decided to attempt my Level 3 Certification flight at the Balls 15 launch. For those that don't already know, this is the ultimate research launch held each year in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. This three day event is a great high power venue, with flight windows up to 100,000 feet. My rocket was a 5-inch Air-X BlackRock, all fiberglass kit on an AeroTech M1315. Final altitude was 9,986 feet and even with a slight main parachute issue, I recovered safely and received my Level 3 Certification. Click here for launch picture and here for video.
Now, with the history lesson out of the way, I hope you enjoy my web site. There is some great information out there whether you’re new to rocketry or have been at it for many years.
Enjoy,
Dave Rose
TRA #7126 L3 |
