It was not so much the rockets with my certifications...but more the journey!
For my certifications I had to travel from Perth Western Australia to West Palm Florida, some 11,800 miles....one way!
It was a matter of logistics
Since I was going to be traveling a heck of a distance to attempt my certifications, I wanted a rocket that had the greatest margin for success, and that could do both L1 & L2 capabilities.
I was going to be doing a few firsts, so I had fairly meticulous planning
I chose the GLR Elipse in the FG version because it would fly easily on both L1 & L2 motor selections without having to add nose weight, the rocket had many desirable features that would make it very robust should anything go wrong....and heck it was just downright cool.
After having the kit shipped out to Australia, and constructing my first FG kit, I shipped it back to my contact in Florida.
I ordered my desired reloads through GLR and had them delivered to the vendor in Florida.
I arrived in the US, made connection with the Prefect & local contacts, assembled and flew the rocket.
L1
GLR FWFG Elipse
3" Diameter
78" Length
6.5lbs
I357T
Motor Ejection
1450ft
Upon the success flight of the Elipse, I took the level 2 written test, passed and began the preparations for the L2 flight.
This is where some of my firsts came in:
First dual deployment
First use of electronics
First use of back up ejection
L2
GLR FWFG Elipse
3" Diameter
78" Length
6.5lbs
J420R
PerfectFlite MAWD
Dual deployment
Back up motor ejection using 14 second delay.
3033ft
L3
BSD Thor - X
4" Diameter
92" Length
Dual Walled
Aerosleeves FG reinforced
FG T2T
18lbs
M1297W
Dual PerfectFlite MAWD's
24' TAC Drogue
72" TAC 1 Main
11,650ft
Upon my return to Australia, there was much coaxing to think about again returning to Florida to attempt my L3.
Again, it would require a rocket that would be very versatile, and have the highest margin for success.
One of the greatest challenges was finding a rocket that would be easily and economically shippable to the US and yet not break waivers of the intended site.
Upon discussions with my chosen TAP's I selected the BSD Thor - X as a starting point.
The rocket was reinforced using Aerosleeves socks, and tip 2 tip glassing of the fins. The motor that was selected for duty was the smallest M available.
Redundant PerfectFlite MAWD's were used as the electronics package, and a Walston Tracker was added to aid with the recovery.
Once again the rocket was shipped to my contact in Florida, and I arrived in Florida for the 2008 Winternationals.
The rocket was inspected by the TAP's and much discussion was had on the logistics to get to that point.
An Aerotech M1297W was prepped for the duty, the electronics and recovery systems were prepped, rocket Inspected by the RSO and set on the pad.
All was ready......The butterflies were released, approximately the same time as the LCO started the announcement.....the buttons was pushed and the rocket scorched upwards to around 11,600ft. It deployed the drogue at apogee as intended, and the 72" main came out nicely at 1,100ft.
The rocket landed maybe 3/4 mile from the pads. It wasn't at all hard to find on the luscious green turf of the Roth Farms site.
I have made some great friends, while traveling to the US to fly rockets, and have met some truly wonderful people, and there are far too many to name, but I'm sure they all know who they are, I have had the pleasure of flying at LDRS in a "Crazy Jims AMW M2200 Skidmark Drag Race" in Argonia.
I have many very fond memories of my times in the US.
I often read on forums about how different folks have certed, and wondered if my story is somewhat unique...I believe it is!
If I stated how much it has cost to do these flights, many of the readers of this forum would cringe in sheer terror, but I can say it was significant!
But, I wouldn't change a thing!