Most on this thread want to take certifications slow and play with rockets at whatever level they are interested in. That's great. I have found over the years, there are a lot of things that interest people in rocketry. Trying new things is usually some part of why they are into rockets, but not always their main interest.
I know some where painting and finishing the rocket is the thing! They use automotive show car grade finishes because that's what they enjoy. The bigger the rocket, the more the great paint shows off, and it's much cheaper then buying cars to paint.
I've met some where the electronics is the thing. Either building their own or using the latest and greatest in ways the older models couldn't.
For some it's the photography and cinematography. They have long lenses on their high end cameras, movie cameras on all their rockets, and ground based cameras on or around the launch pad.
Some just want to see as much smoke and flame as they can. It might be G motors at 30 feet or M motors at 500 feet, but for them it's all about smoke, flame, and louds noises.
Some are into chemistry and want to make motors and wring every Ns out of their creations and ultimately test them in flight.
Some want to design and build new items, whether it's rockets, or piece parts for rockets, built with exotic composites, mill and machine things, or 3D print them and then ultimately test some of their creations in fight.
Some are altitude junkies. They want to wring every inch of altitude out of every rocket and any rocket that can go higher than the last one is the new favorite.
Some are service oriented. They want to be pad managers, RSO, LCO, BOD, committee chairs, etc. Anything that can be of service to the club or their fellow rocketeers.
Some are social butterflies. They want to meet new people, spend time with old and new friends, and fly because it's a good excuse to talk about the rockets, the flights, and just keep them connected to the other club members.
Some are goal driven, the next cert, the next altitude level, the next motor size, etc. It's all about the next goal they set for themselves.
All of these folks have a common interest in rocketry and each has some interest, to varying degrees, in each of these areas. Each will approach rocketry differently and each will have their own motivations for doing cert levels. Life circumstances plays a part in it too. Financial resources, family or job responsibly, geological location, etc.
Over the last 20 years I've been fortunate enough to meet and learn things from all of these various types of rocketeers. That is why I think the best motto for model rocketry is:
Build and fly however and whatever you get the most enjoyment from.
Of course, like many of the Sheldon Cooper types around here, that won't stop me from telling you what I think is the best way you should be doing things...
