Space Oddity
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- Mar 3, 2014
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I know I've asked a similar question before but having moved on a bit I'd like to ask it again.
What do I have to do to gain a licence 1 in the UK?
Before you ask, I've written to the UKRA and local clubs. I've had replies which have been a bit ambiguous.
This is my situation:
1. I've attended a couple of EARS meetings this year but "the right people to speak to were unavailable". The days weren't wasted though. I enjoyed the events and Malcolm managed to sell me more stock parts than I really needed. No problem though, my grandson is having a great time making strange devices that actually fly!
2. I think I understand what is involved in designing and making a medium powered rocket strong enough to qualify for a licence 1.
3. I've bought a 3 grain, 29mm Cesaroni case, and designed a rocket that is compatible for that and a 6 grain case as well. Mostly for flying G and light H motors. I've built the first rocket with a 2.56 body tube. I think however I'll build another with a 3" tube as that will fly slower and at less altitude to make recovery a possibility. I'll buy the extra parts I need on the September 7th EARS event (if it goes ahead).
4. If I go for a license 1, I want it to be a joint effort with my grandson. His name on the certificate as well as mine.
5. I'm not going to join EARS or the UKRA until January the 1st 2015. I'm not prepared to pay a premium for less than half a year.
6. Any licence 1 rocket we try to qualify will be our own design and build. That's where the satisfaction comes in, rather than with a pre-qualified kit.
So what do I need to do. Obviously join EARS and gain somewhere to fly with the right safety in place. But do I need to join UKRA as well? I'm told that I do in order to cover the insurance.
I know these are fairly fundamental questions and obvious to all of you that have done it before. But for "first timers" who want to get it right, confusingly frustrating.
Even more basic questions. Do the clubs provide launch controllers or should I bring mine? What launch rails do they use, what type of lug should I include on the design? What is the best motor to use? I assume the lowest thrust H?
I know some of you have done this before (at EARS) so any knowledge and advice you are able to share will be appreciated.
All the best,
SO.
What do I have to do to gain a licence 1 in the UK?
Before you ask, I've written to the UKRA and local clubs. I've had replies which have been a bit ambiguous.
This is my situation:
1. I've attended a couple of EARS meetings this year but "the right people to speak to were unavailable". The days weren't wasted though. I enjoyed the events and Malcolm managed to sell me more stock parts than I really needed. No problem though, my grandson is having a great time making strange devices that actually fly!
2. I think I understand what is involved in designing and making a medium powered rocket strong enough to qualify for a licence 1.
3. I've bought a 3 grain, 29mm Cesaroni case, and designed a rocket that is compatible for that and a 6 grain case as well. Mostly for flying G and light H motors. I've built the first rocket with a 2.56 body tube. I think however I'll build another with a 3" tube as that will fly slower and at less altitude to make recovery a possibility. I'll buy the extra parts I need on the September 7th EARS event (if it goes ahead).
4. If I go for a license 1, I want it to be a joint effort with my grandson. His name on the certificate as well as mine.
5. I'm not going to join EARS or the UKRA until January the 1st 2015. I'm not prepared to pay a premium for less than half a year.
6. Any licence 1 rocket we try to qualify will be our own design and build. That's where the satisfaction comes in, rather than with a pre-qualified kit.
So what do I need to do. Obviously join EARS and gain somewhere to fly with the right safety in place. But do I need to join UKRA as well? I'm told that I do in order to cover the insurance.
I know these are fairly fundamental questions and obvious to all of you that have done it before. But for "first timers" who want to get it right, confusingly frustrating.
Even more basic questions. Do the clubs provide launch controllers or should I bring mine? What launch rails do they use, what type of lug should I include on the design? What is the best motor to use? I assume the lowest thrust H?
I know some of you have done this before (at EARS) so any knowledge and advice you are able to share will be appreciated.
All the best,
SO.