From: buzz@rsd.dl.nec.com (Buzz McDermott)
Subject: Re: HPR Attitudes Towards Model Rocketry
Organization: NEC America, Radio Software Dept
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 16:56:13 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.224041.18062@ennews.eas.asu.edu>, elder@enuxha.eas.asu.edu (Greg Elder) writes:
|> Would anybody recommend any other kits for a person taking that first
|> step from Estes besides Aerotech.  Do other medium/high power rocket
|> companies sell starter kits like Aerotech?  I will, after all, need to
|> get a bigger launch pad, new controller, etc. when moving up.  (The Estes
|> Porta Pad II just won't do. :-) )

North Coast Rocketry, LOC/Precision, Microbrick, and ISP all have suitable 
rocket kits in their catalogs.  If you mean 'starter' kits to include engines,
launch pad, ignition control, and engines then I know that NCR has a set
featuring their 'Big Brute' model and HPR pad.  Their starter set can also 
be bought with a full assortment of CA and epoxy adhesives.  It's also
expensive!

If you mean to start with E/F/G, 29mm, powered rockets then Aerotech is as 
good a place as any to start, IMO.  

If you are really looking to get into 'advanced' (i.e., Class B power) rockets 
then you're already beyond most anything Aerotech has to offer.  If the latter 
is the case I would offer the following suggestions:

    1. get some of the catalogs mentioned above
    2. get a kit with simple lines, 2-4" diameter body, 29 or 38mm mount
       (38mm is better...you can always fly it with a 29mm adapter), maybe
       4 - 6 foot in total length; in other words, something that will fly
       well on G or H power; look for thru-the-wall fins; stick to heavy-
       duty paper tubes and plywood fins (IMO you get good HPR construction
       experience requiring the smallest tool and supplies investment with
       these type materials); LOC and NCR kits are most popular within DARS,
       other companies are more popular in other parts of the country.
    3. if possible, join an NAR or Tripoli group that flies high power

The last suggestion has two advantages:

    1. You will need to be certified/confirmed, and that can only be done
       at an NAR/Tripoli sanctioned launch (otherwise you are going to have
       a VERY tough time getting Class B motors or reloads)
    2. You might be able to skip getting an HPR launcher, at least for a 
       while (I fly with DARS, which has a club HPR setup; I have 3 HPR
       models that I fly up to twice a month and I don't have a launcher)

I've also been told by most every 'long time' (i.e., over 1 year) HPR 
ehthusiast to skip buying the Aerotech launcher (even though they almost always
have one!).  The consensus is that the launcher just isn't heavy-duty enough
for launching 'real' HPR birds.  You outgrow it too fast.  I haven't seen or
talked to anyone who has the Estes 'HPR' launcher.  IMO, though, it's too
expensive, for what you get.

Again, if you really looking to fly E/F/G power for a while, with rockets
in the model rocket weight class, ignore all that I've suggested and just
get the Aerotech starter outfit.  Don't pay retail, though.  The HPR mail
order shops listed in the FAQ both sell the starter sets at a good savings.

Finally, *** AND MOST IMPORTANT ***, note that the guy giving all this 'great' 
advice is a BAR, back for 2 years after a 20 year absence, has built
all of 3 rockets powered by G or up motors, and has only been flying HPR
for about 3 months.  I do believe, though, that I've absored one he*l of a lot
of knowledge over the past year from r.m.r and members of DARS.

============================================================================
Buzz McDermott                   Internet: buzz@rsd.dl.nec.com
NAR      13559
Tripoli   1785
============================================================================