It took forty years, but now L1.

[Worsaer]

I finally achieved my L1 today. I say finally, not because it's terribly difficult, but based on how long I've loved building and flying, I should have had HPR rating long ago.

I've been flying for about forty years, off and on. Most kids' "wish book" was the annual Sears toy catalog; mine was the Estes catalog. At about ten years old I mail ordered my first kit (Arcas) and I've been hooked since.

I started having fun with mid power in the mid 1990's with an Aerotech Initiator, but the events of Sept 11 made flying difficult, as did my move to a new job, new house, and having kids- all taking priority over any kind of hobby. About three years ago, while recuperating from surgery, I needed something to do, so started building again, joined the associations, but still no time to fly.

Finally, today, along with my two young boys, we flew with Tripoli Central California. My 38mm minimum diameter Blue Tube flew straight and high on a simple H123, and took me for a long walk on a breezy day under a Fruity Chute.

So, now with my L1, I will be having fun heading toward L2, doing my part to improve the economy by building and flying.

(Thanks to Jim for nice camera work.)

[Aksrockets]

Congrats with the L1. Must have been an exciting first flight! Welcome to the club!

Alex

[fyrwrxz]

Welcome to TRF! L1-How great is that!? The adventures are endless and the friendships priceless. Keep us posted ( we like pictures) and drop in now and then to recycle your used electrons. We need them for the World Domination Machine (d-uhOh!-'sposed to be secret ) Up in the Air, Junior BirdMen!

[davdue]

Congratulations. Welcome to the HPR club. Got my L1 at LDRS 30 and hope to have my L2 this year. You are right building and flying high power rockets definitely helps the economy.

[Coop]

Congratulations! (I've been on Facebook too often lately--was looking for a "like" button. Heh.)



Later!

--Coop

[o1d_dude]

Gratz on getting your L1 cert.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood!

[cbrarick]

Great Job!

BUT.....you violated the TRF rule: you MUST post a picture of your bird

[trippkid]

Congrats on a successful flight. Now, time for bigger birds, bigger and badder cases and reloads, altimeters and trackers, oh my! Get out your wallet. Have a good one and welcome to the club.
Matt

[Eric1]

Congrats on the L1!

[Sailorbill]

Welcome.
Congratulations on your level 1.
Enjoy the journey especially with your children. Getting them involved will increase the fun factor and unless you are using rocketry as "me" time try to get the better half interested.
Build/Fly what makes you happy. One of the great things about this hobby is as long as it is stable and safe there is no wrong type of rocket.
You will meet some of the greatest, most helpful and generous people in rocketry. You will also find a few crusty curmudgeons but they are few and far between.
Pictures please.
Rocketeers tend to be very visually oriented.

[peter_stanley]

Congratulations on your L1! High power can be relatively expensive, but there are way worse things to spend money on. Btw, I can relate to your Estes catalog/wish book analogy.

[kenstarr]

Congratulations! Remember, it's not the level, it's the journey getting there! At least for me. Don't feel like you have to rush things.
Ken

[Worsaer]

BUT.....you violated the TRF rule: you MUST post a picture of your bird

What was I thinking!

I didn't get a picture on the field, but here's one that should work.

It's pretty simple; Blue Tube, Acme fin can, Giant Leap nosecone, conformal lugs, and slimline retainer. I have an av bay for it also, ready for a Raven, but didn't want to make my first cert flight any more complicated than necessary.

[Barracuda]

Congrats and welcome..had too much rain here been enjoying the build process lately

[lawndartman]

What a perfect bird for a L1, simple to the point. Years ago, a rocket buddy (motojoe) told me that it is all about 'The Journey'. Congrats on your L1, and with your boys? I envy you. FLY ON!

[gdjsky01]

Congrats! Like others said enjoy the journey. People blow though levels, burn out, and move on. Don't worry about the time. Few Hs. Maybe a cluster? H to an H two stage?? All sorts of things to try. Or some nice upscales. Congrats!

[RocketManDan]

Congrats!!!

I know the feeling of having limited time to work on the hobby. I'm there right now, but hope to get level1 in the next year or two...I kind of want to enjoy the MPR realm for awhile before moving up...

Gotta love this hobby!!!

[UPscaler]

Congrats and welcome..had too much rain here been enjoying the build process lately

There's either a drought or it's too wet to fly, I've caught on and I've only been here for 6 months!


Congrats on the L1!



Braden

[GDJ]

Welcome, and beauty of a rocket!

[Zeus-cat]

Congrats on the L1. If you get L2 in 39 years or less you are definitely improving.

[Zephhyr]

Congratulations!!!!