NTP2
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I am planning on getting my junior L1 next year and I am interested in your experiences with it. (NAR or TRA)
Tell some stories about junior certification.
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-Slick-Ice
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If you are serious about it go do it!
Is there a club near you?
Are you a JR NAR/TRA member?
Is someone helping you build this rocket?
Have you used F67 motors? G80 motors?
What other model rockets have you built before?
Have you used epoxy?
Was there a specific rocket you were interested in?
Most of the commercial kits are not very complex and the bigger parts make them easier to assemble. Kits with laser cut centering rings, fins, and body tubes can be built in a weekend.
L1 HPR rockets are really not any more expensive than low/mid power but the motors are! H100W-14A is $58.84 and the I140-14A is $69.54
If you have put an Alpha III up to 1500 feet, you should have no problem finding a 3" or 4" rocket going the same height.
Is there a club near you?
Are you a JR NAR/TRA member?
Is someone helping you build this rocket?
Have you used F67 motors? G80 motors?
What other model rockets have you built before?
Have you used epoxy?
Was there a specific rocket you were interested in?
Most of the commercial kits are not very complex and the bigger parts make them easier to assemble. Kits with laser cut centering rings, fins, and body tubes can be built in a weekend.
L1 HPR rockets are really not any more expensive than low/mid power but the motors are! H100W-14A is $58.84 and the I140-14A is $69.54
If you have put an Alpha III up to 1500 feet, you should have no problem finding a 3" or 4" rocket going the same height.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
No I am wondering about other people’s experiences with it. I already have picked a rocket and I have 4 flights of G motors and 2 rockets capable of HPR but I will be getting a rocket specifically for the cert yes I have been a member of TRA for a year and my club for 2 months as for if I have built my rockets by myself the answer is yes.
kramer714
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NTP2
I have a detailed build tutorial for Jr. Level 1 (I guess SR'S could use it too) based on the MADCOW Sport X.
The tutorial includes:
I just used the tutorial for a group build, and am rolling in some feedback from the group. I do plan to release the tutorial in a few weeks, but if you wanted to beta test it (actually buy the kit and build it to the tutorial) contact me off line.
Mike K
I have a detailed build tutorial for Jr. Level 1 (I guess SR'S could use it too) based on the MADCOW Sport X.
The tutorial includes:
- A very detailed build instruction
- 3d printed 'parts and shop aids' STL files including,
- STL files for a drill jig to put in the motor retainer
- STL files for drill jig for attachment of the aft rail button
- Simple rail button mounts (no trying to find the edge of the bulkhead, simpler design
- Disposable 3d printed 38-29 mm adapter
I just used the tutorial for a group build, and am rolling in some feedback from the group. I do plan to release the tutorial in a few weeks, but if you wanted to beta test it (actually buy the kit and build it to the tutorial) contact me off line.
Mike K
Does NRVR have a launch site again?
NTP2
Well-Known Member
No I don’t suppose you know a way to advertise to a lot of farmers? If we have not found one I will probably go to a different club for the cert. ps how did you know we lost kentland.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
I would but I have already decided on a 4” LOC cyclotron but that tutorial sounds pretty cool I will definitely look at it once you release it!
I'm just up the road and have been to one of the launches. Not currently a member but if I can get caught up on other things in life I'll find more time to build and fly.
Sounds like you're ready for your L1 cert flight.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
Yup after testing a dual deployment setup I figured that it was time.
I cant talk about the experience of earning a Junior L1 but I can talk about my experience certifying this group. I've had a great experience working with the junior L1s. They all seem to have low and mid power experience. They have all had a great grasp on what to do and more importantly, what NOT to do typically because they have been flying plenty of other smaller rockets and its a passion for them. All of my junior L1s have a 100% success rate... which I cant say about my college level certifications which are hit or miss on any given day - if they are even able to get a rocket in the air. Keep up the great work, juniors!
Sounds like your ready for the step up...and tubefin rockets are very forgiving, and sturdy. What motor are you thinking for your L1?
I built it heavy, and added some optional stuff, but as a reference point...I flew a 3" Cyclotron for L1 a couple years ago on a H135W-14 29mm DMS motor. I had it drilled to 8 seconds and that was just a bit long. (I'll look up my final weight, and altitude from that flight when I get a chance.)
The 4" version is quite a bit heavier to start, and MUCH more drag.
jackiboi_11
Well-Known Member
Im also getting my Junior L1 soon and all of this is very helpful to me! I've also flown a handful of G's now and F's with 3 HPR capable rockets, (MDRM, Goblin, IRIS)
NTP2
Well-Known Member
The point the 4” is that I live in the Appalachian Mountains so I have to take low and slow to the next level to be certain to find it again. As for the motor knowing bob probably what he has in his range box!
NTP2
Well-Known Member
Second on university kids I once had to explain to seniors what CP CG is… I was in 8th grade.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
How is that going? Your thread was part of the reason I decided that now was the time.
jackiboi_11
Well-Known Member
Its going good, I'm planning on getting it in December or January. I have everything built and painted so now the waiting game starts.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
Do you have pics? If so
Seatechnerd83
Average APCP enjoyer
Had to attempt 3 times, one because my cert team didn't realize I had to take a test, 2nd time CATO'd on a CTI 38 2G sparky, 3rd time I finally got it while at LDRS.
ThirstyBarbarian
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I have a story or two about Junior Level 1 rocketeers, but first, I have this:
There once was a teen with a rocket
And a fat wad of cash in his pocket
He got Level 1
And when he was done
There was nothing but lint in that pocket
Seriously though, it can get expensive, which is something to consider. But it can also be very rewarding, especially if you are into ambitious projects that take a bit of power to get into the air.
I’ve known a few Junior Level 1 rocketeers. The first I met through this forum shortly after I first joined. I had a question for the forum, and the first person to respond and talk it through with me had a lot of helpful tips and information. I assumed he was an adult.
It turned out we both belonged to the same club and would be attending a launch at the same time, so we agreed to meet. When I asked if I could get his number so we could text and find each other at the launch, which usually had over hundred people, he said he didn’t give out personal contact info online for security reasons, but he did give a first name and told me he would be with a group at a table with a sign I could find.
I got to the launch and found the table where there was an adult man and woman. I asked the man if he was who I was looking for, and the woman just laughed and said, “No, that’s not him. He will be here in a minute, and you’ll see why he doesn’t share info online.” And a few minutes later, a boy who was about 14 showed up. That’s who had been giving me the great rocket advice.
He stayed very involved in rocketry, participated in TARC, and got his Junior certification. He was also into things like drones and robotics. He did a science fair project that involved a recovery system that used GPS and used servos to control a parachute and attempt to fly it back to the pad. He went to college out of state for engineering, and I pretty much lost contact with him.
I have a couple of rocket buddies who have kids who got their Junior certifications too. One I think was very genuinely interested in rocketry and also did TARC and went on to attend college in aerospace engineering. The other is younger, and she seems to enjoy rocketry well enough, but I don’t think she’s likely to pursue it to the same degree as the others.
Those are a few Junior Level 1 stories I have. People get into it for all kinds of different reasons. Some just like bigger rockets, some are pursuing a passion, some are building a resume for college applications. Whatever the reason, if you have the interest, time, and money, I think it’s worth doing.
Good luck!
There once was a teen with a rocket
And a fat wad of cash in his pocket
He got Level 1
And when he was done
There was nothing but lint in that pocket
Seriously though, it can get expensive, which is something to consider. But it can also be very rewarding, especially if you are into ambitious projects that take a bit of power to get into the air.
I’ve known a few Junior Level 1 rocketeers. The first I met through this forum shortly after I first joined. I had a question for the forum, and the first person to respond and talk it through with me had a lot of helpful tips and information. I assumed he was an adult.
It turned out we both belonged to the same club and would be attending a launch at the same time, so we agreed to meet. When I asked if I could get his number so we could text and find each other at the launch, which usually had over hundred people, he said he didn’t give out personal contact info online for security reasons, but he did give a first name and told me he would be with a group at a table with a sign I could find.
I got to the launch and found the table where there was an adult man and woman. I asked the man if he was who I was looking for, and the woman just laughed and said, “No, that’s not him. He will be here in a minute, and you’ll see why he doesn’t share info online.” And a few minutes later, a boy who was about 14 showed up. That’s who had been giving me the great rocket advice.
He stayed very involved in rocketry, participated in TARC, and got his Junior certification. He was also into things like drones and robotics. He did a science fair project that involved a recovery system that used GPS and used servos to control a parachute and attempt to fly it back to the pad. He went to college out of state for engineering, and I pretty much lost contact with him.
I have a couple of rocket buddies who have kids who got their Junior certifications too. One I think was very genuinely interested in rocketry and also did TARC and went on to attend college in aerospace engineering. The other is younger, and she seems to enjoy rocketry well enough, but I don’t think she’s likely to pursue it to the same degree as the others.
Those are a few Junior Level 1 stories I have. People get into it for all kinds of different reasons. Some just like bigger rockets, some are pursuing a passion, some are building a resume for college applications. Whatever the reason, if you have the interest, time, and money, I think it’s worth doing.
Good luck!
NTP2
Well-Known Member
Me, I really really really like rockets they are my biggest passion and I hope to become an aerospace engineer one day. As for that teen with a pocket… I hear that that employment of teens is on the rise
ThirstyBarbarian
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Me, I really really really like rockets they are my biggest passion and I hope to become an aerospace engineer one day. As for that teen with a pocket… I hear that that employment of teens is on the rise
That’s great. Good luck with your Junior L1, and have fun along the way!
ThirstyBarbarian
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Good luck to you as well!
ThirstyBarbarian
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Tube fin rockets are very cool and a great way to keep flights low, if that is your goal. At least until recently, they weren’t as easy to get good flight sims for though. Altitude and delay times were often off. I think now OR supports tube fins, but I don’t know anything about how well the program has been updated to sim the flights. Having accurate delay time predictions is pretty important for certification flights so you can get your motor delays drilled correctly. That’s something to double-check before the flight.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
I actually had beta access so I got good sims early!
As far as open rocket tube fin and SIMs here is what I've observed.
15.03
Had reasonable sims for tubefins, but a note they were not officially supported.
22.2 "Some" beta versions had good support, but something got corrupted at the official release.and any Tube Fin SIMs from official release 22.2 are WRONG.
23.09 has corrected logic for Tubefins and seems to give good results. I need to collect some more flight vs SIM data, but I would use it's calculations at this point. (It's within the accepted variation of motor impulse and delay timing.)
15.03
Had reasonable sims for tubefins, but a note they were not officially supported.
22.2 "Some" beta versions had good support, but something got corrupted at the official release.and any Tube Fin SIMs from official release 22.2 are WRONG.
23.09 has corrected logic for Tubefins and seems to give good results. I need to collect some more flight vs SIM data, but I would use it's calculations at this point. (It's within the accepted variation of motor impulse and delay timing.)
I got that beat… I had one university group try to argue with me that they didnt have to glue their motor mounts in after they slid them into the back of the rocket and had absolutely no method of retention to keep the ejection charge from firing right back out…. I told them to find a hardware store nearby, get some 5m epoxy and get to gluing if they wanted to fly that day. They were less than pleased… oh well.
NTP2
Well-Known Member
So they had a MM but don’t epoxy it in?! Wow
Yep. MM glued to centering rings fins glued to MM. Entire assembly slid into rear via full length fin slots… fins would stop it from going up the tube but no glue or retention to keep it from coming out the back when the ejection charges went off. 17 students from that group that day. 15 men, 2 women. Two of 17 were built correctly/perfectly… Ill let you guess which two built them perfectly and when asked why theirs were so different (built right), they responded with “we didn't know anything so we did a bunch research to get it right.”
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