From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Subject: Re: HPR Attitudes Towards Model Rocketry
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 17:17:03 GMT

barrett@add.itg.ti.com writes:
: 
:   Sometimes this was not as well received as it was intended.  Case in
: point:  there was a guy who works for a hobby shop that sells Aerotech
: kits.  He was set right up next to me.  He had done some very nice work
: on his models and was quite proud of them (as well he should).  I asked
: him if he had made the "appropriate" modifications to the kits that
: would make them "better".  He did not understand and then I went on to
: explain my experiences with Aerotech models and how I had figured out
: some simple changes to the motor mount/engine-hook/baffel-system that
: would increase reliability and flexibility.  I also explained that I had
: lost 2-3 models in the process of learning this information.  He was not
: too excited to learn this (I don't if it was due to the fact that he
: sells Aerotech stuff or what).  Sad to say that by the end of the first
: day he had not ONE model that was flyable.  He was so mad that he would
: not even acknowledge my presence as I methodically prepped my rocket as
: he was loading his pieces into his car.  I can only hope that he learned
: and was willing to pass on his FIRST HAND experience to others.

Yeah, some people will only accept advice when they ask for it in the
first place. 

Could you post the information on Aerotech mods? I have been flying an
Initiator for some time now, and would hate to see it fragmented. I am
sure there are others who would also be interested.

:   As far as your comment about Tripoli members not paying attention to
: RSO warnings about errant "model rockets" I know that I would always
: look to see what the problem was.  Lawn darts ALWAYS get my attention,
: snarled 'chutes on a 5oz rocket do not.

It would help a lot if the RSO would announce what the particular problem
was. As you say, snarled chutes is no problem - a chute separation can be.

:   As far as safety goes I asked the RSO why the model rocket pad was so
: close to the LCO table (25').  I felt that launching any rockets that
: close was a safety issue.  They were launching E and F engines from this
: pad (also R/C boost gliders)!  The RSO said that was all that was
: REQUIRED for "model rockets".  I thought that this was a good example of
: "rules" overriding common sence.

Yep - all RSO's should require that the pads be as far from people as
cables allow. 

:   Don't get me wrong, I had a great time.  This was a well run launch.
: You guys did a GREAT job.  I know that I will be back.
: 
:   I just wanted to say that there is a gap in experience between most
: Tripoli members and NAR HPR enthusiasts.  Sometimes the Tripoli member
: does act a little arrogant, sometimes the NAR member is not very
: receptive to well entended advise.  This is a human condition that has
: no correlation with organizational charters.

I would amend your statement to say that there is a gap in experience 
between Tripoli members and NAR HPR enthusiasts when it comes to the
peculiarities of HP rockets. There are many Tripoli and NAR members who
think that all there is to rocket construction is opening a commercial
box and following the directions when gluing it together. 

:   BTW:  the @#$%&* that is running for a Tripoli board position on an
: Anti-NAR platform will not get MY vote.

That was my feeling also. If this guy thinks he is going to get more votes
this way, I think he is going to be surprised. At least, I hope he is. We
can do without troublemakers.

: Stu Barrett  TRA# 1277 NAR# 4341

Bill Nelson  NAR# 54706  TRA#1291
Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets