r.m.r FAQ Part 2 of 8: Model Rocketry

r.m.r FAQ Part 2 of 8: Model Rocketry

Post by Buzz McDermo » Wed, 25 Oct 1995 04:00:00



Archive-name: rockets-faq/part2
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 20 October 1995

Rec.Models.Rockets FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): Part 2 of 8

*** PART 2: MODEL ROCKETRY

Section 2.1: Model Rocketry Questions

2.1.4 Can I legally fly model rockets in my state?  What are the restrictions?

    Several states still require some type of permit to fly model rockets.
    The requirements vary greatly between the states.  Also, local
    municipalities are free to impose additional restrictions beyond those
    defined in NFPA 1122 and any state laws.  Check with your local fire
    marshal for restrictions in your area.  For example, the states
    of Rhode Island, and California have stricter regulations than NFPA 1122.

2.1.5 I have a son/daughter that is (6 - 9) years old.  Is this too young for
        model rocketry?  If not, are there any tips for helping to keep their
        interest in the hobby?

    Model rocket manufacturers all recommend *** supervision for young
    children (usually, those under 12).  Many parents have had great success
    introducing these children to model rocketry.  Here are a few of the tips
    and suggestions posted to r.m.r:


      Children under 10 or 11 do best in the hobby when a parent participates
      actively with them.  Introduce them to simple, skill-level-1 kits with
      plastic fin units.  Build yourself a rocket at the same time, then go
      out and fly them together.


      My own experience with my son (now 5 1/2, we've been flying since he
      turned 4) is not to expect too much sustained interest at a time. Even
      though my son has a longer-than-normal attention span for his age
      (he'll watch a whole two hour movie!) and loves the whole idea of
      building and flying rockets, after 4 or 5 flights (approx. 1/2 hour)
      he'd rather go play on the monkey bars at the adjacent school.
      This is magnified if there are any kids his own age around (such as his
      cousins that sometimes come with us).


      Watching they should enjoy.  Pressing the button they should enjoy.
      Prepping with serious supervision.  Building simple kits with some
      supervision and a pre-launch check.  There's a huge difference in
      responsibility between kids.  One thing to stress is that a lot of very
      careful kids will get bored or get pressured by bored friends to do
      stupid things when you're not around.  I might not let kids have any
      access to motors when unsupervised -- and there's no real reason why
      that should cause them any trouble.  It is possible to make safety fun,
      you know.  I think that's something that a lot of people miss -- if you
      present things that way, it seems to work out.  I don't have kids, but
      I've got rocket launching friends who do.


      I've successfully built an Athena and an America with a 7 year old.
      The body tube is pre-painted, the decals are self-adhesive, and they
      like the gold or silver chrome nose cone.  You can build it in an hour
      or two - just let them run around and call them over to help periodic-
      ally - "glue here", "cut here", "hold this".  They feel it's still
      their rocket and that they helped.  Estes new E2X series may also be
      similarly suitable, but I haven't tried, yet [ed. note:  the E2X
      series go together with plastic model cement, such as Testors, not
      white glue].

      Estes' new E2X series is similar in construction to the Athena and
      America - they can be built in an hour or two with kids.

      Demo a range of motors.  Go from 1/2A to A to B with a model to
      show kids the difference.

      Kids will invariably talk about launching them out of sight or
      sticking a fireworks in them.  Answer with, "yeah, but I wouldn't
      want to wreck my model that I spent so much time building."  Making
      the kid answer forces him [or her] to think and teaches him [her]
      to value his [her] possessions.


      When my 10 year old son and I started building rockets together about
      2 1/2 years ago, we started with some of the level 1 Estes kits with
      plastic fin units and nose cones, such as the Athena and Alpha III.
      He has also built a couple of the Estes E2X series, which requires use of
      plastic cement.  He also likes the Quest Falcon (plastic fins) and Estes
      Big Bertha (balsa fins) because they are both big enough to use C
      motors and not loose the models.

      My 7 year old daughter and I started building rockets about a year ago.
      She prefers the Quest models with the colored parts.  She also finds the
      Quest parachutes, with their large adhesive connections for shroud
      lines, easier to build.  The Quest Falcon is a large, easy to build
      model.  Now she likes building some of the Level 1 kits with balsa fins.
      She has built the Estes Alpha and Quest Sprint.


      My daughter loves rocketry. She started when she was 3. Get colorful
      rockets, build them yourself (e.g. the plastic Alpha III), and don't
      fly them too high. (50-100' is more than fine) Let the child count to 5
      (or try to!!) and push the button. Let them recover the rockets.  Have
      say, 5 to 10 rockets loaded, ready to go when heading out. Launch them,
      and untangle/fix them either at the field, or at home later, depending
      on the child's mood.  My 4-3/4 year old daughter is looking forward to
      launching, possibly this weekend. We spent a year in New Zealand, but
      she still knew all about the rockets, the parachutes, the streamers...


      People interested in easy to build model rocket kits for the younger
      crowd should check out QUEST models.  Some of the parts are color
      coded (centering rings, engine blocks, engine mount tube) and the fins
      of some models are plastic.  Some of the fins are supplied as a single
      unit that you glue into place.  Fast, easy, and with little or no
      sanding!

2.1.6 Is there any way I can buy model rocket kits, parts and engines at less
      than full retail?

    Two mail order houses have been recommended several times by posters to
    r.m.r.  They are Belleville Wholesale Hobby and Magnum Rockets Hobbies and
    More.  Belleville sells MRC at 40% off list, Custom Rockets at 35% off list
    and Estes at 30% off list.  There is a minimum order requirement.  Magnum
    sells most all of the major model and high power rocket lines, including
    Estes, Custom, Vaughn Brothers, NCR, Aerotech, LOC and others.  Both
    Estes and Aerotech model rocket motors and reloads are sold.

    Refer to the 'Addresses' section of Part 1 of this FAQ for their addresses.

    If you do a fair amount of flying, Estes sells a 24-pack of engines called
    the Flight Pack.  It comes with 6 A8-3, 6 B6-4, 6 C6-5, 6 C6-7, recovery
    wadding and igniters.  It generally retails between $25-28, which is less
    than the list price of the materials included.  This can also be purchased
    at an additional discount from some mail order houses.

    Quest motors have been recommended by several r.m.r posters.  At the
    present time, they retail at less than the Estes equivalents.  They can
    also be purchased direct from Quest 'bagged' in quantities of 10 or more.
    'A' motors can get to less than $1 ea. when bought 50 or more at a time.
    'C' motors get down to around $1.25.

    You might also investigate your local NAR section, if one is located
    convenient to you.  Clubs such as NAR sections often arrange discounts
    with local hobby merchants.  Several of the clubs also have at least
    one member selling parts and supplies at discount, mostly to the
    club members.

2.1.7 I've had a large number of motors CATO recently.  The engines are only
      about 2 years old.  I've had them stored in my (attic/garage/ba***t).


      Black powder motors tend to suffer catos when they are temperature
      cycled.  If you expose them to heat, be it storing them in the attic,
      on your car's dashboard, or in your metal range box in the hot sun on
      the launch field, you may have problems.  The engine expands with the
      heat, but when it cools, the propellant separates from the casing
      inside This causes the propellant to burn faster due to burning on the
      side generating more pressure than was designed for, and ...boom...

      Storing black powder motors in a damp ba***t can cause the compressed
      clay nozzles to soften and also blow out.  If you must store your motors
      in a damp/humid area, put them in a zip lock plastic bag.

      [Note: There is an excellent article by Mat Steele in the May/June 1992
             issue of Sport Rocketry.  This article goes into the
             theoretical reasons why black powder model rocket motors fail]

2.1.8 Is it safe to use my old rocket engines from <nn> years ago?


      I've had properly stored engines from 1972 and 1975 work just fine.
      If you suspect a motor, fire it by burying it in the ground with just
      the nozzle showing, pointing up and use your launch system to ignite it
      as usual. [Note: be sure and stand at least 15-20 feet away from the
      motor when you fire it: Buzz]

2.1.9 What's a good way to find other rocket enthusiasts in my area?  How
      can I found out about local rocket clubs?

    The NAR sends a complete list of its local sections (NAR sanctioned
    clubs) with each new member's information packet.  If there isn't
    a sanction near you they have
...

read more »

 
 
 

r.m.r FAQ Part 2 of 8: Model Rocketry

Post by Tony Way » Sat, 28 Oct 1995 04:00:00


   I was reading part 2 of 8 of the faq and had a suggestion.
for the part in the beginning about getting youngsters involved:

        I reconstructed my launcher so that me 2.5 year can
launch the rocket. The launcher is homemade and uses a shorted
out 1/8 mini plug for the safety key. For my son, I attached an
8 foot loop of wire with each end attached to the poles of the
mini plug. In the middle of the wire loop is a film canister
with a push button. To launch the rocket I have to push the
button on the launcher and my son has to push his button too!
(When connecting the igniter to the launcher, I carry his
launch button with me.)

        He practicing counting by leading the countdown. (Q: Is
"bi-leven" greater than or less than 4?) He checks the airspace
as well. ("Look boss!  De'plane.") Also when we go to the field,
my rockets are ready launch. For about 20 minutes things
happen fast. When we are done there are rockets litering the
field. We then fetch them. (He "flies" a few of them back to
the pad.) His mom has to come too as diversion after fetching
so I can prep and go again.

My 2 cents...
-tony

---
Tony Wayne                                    Those that can, do,