Space Oddity
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I mentioned in an earlier thread that the cost of a Level 1 certificate for my grandson and I would be in excess of ££250. Simon mentioned that it would cost nowhere near this so I did my sums again and came up with the figures below.
By way of explanation I would say the following.
1. My sums are covering two entries. One for my grandson as a junior and one for me as an adult. I had hoped that we might try for level 1 jointly but according to the clubs and UKRA, this is not permissible. By the way, my grandson has just turned eleven years old.
2. I haven't included UKRA annual fees. I don't yet know what they will be. I seem to remember a figure of £10 plus a fee for taking level 1. As I'm not sure on either I've excluded them from my costs.
3. Our rocket design is quite basic. All parts have been sourced and bought in the UK. We will use the same design for both rockets. I will compile two kits worth of parts.
4. BMFA costs are at 2015 rates. Club costs are at 2014 rates as like UKRA they haven't yet published their 2015 rates.
5. I am assuming that my interpretation of costs is correct. If not and if there is a more cost effective approach I would appreciate any advice.
6. I think that the cost of our kits is cheaper than an equivalent pre-prepared kit from Loc or PM. I can probably find a cheaper L1 kit from say Estes but we really want to qualify using our design. While I appreciate we may be paying a premium of £20 per rocket for doing so, the challenge and the satisfaction of doing it from scratch is worth it. It's much more fun seeing our one qualify (if it does) than it is knowing that it will fly if assembled reasonably correctly
So here's the cost:
BMFA membership adult. £32
BMFA membership junior. £17
Club membership adult. £30
Club membership junior. £20
Rocket cost (inc. motors) £158
Test cost (optional). £22
Paint cost. £15
Travel cost (2 journeys) £45
Extras (unknown) £0
UKRA (unknown) £0
Labour & time £0
I make that a total of £338 (more than my initial estimate of £250).
If we were able to qualify jointly then the cost would reduce £116 to £222.
I think the message here is that it's expensive, at least in my terms and that the clubs and authorities should continue to address the costs of the junior membership in order to encourage the young to pursue the hobby.
SO.
PS. The good news is that I received the last parts of the rocket kits today. That means we can now start to build them.
By way of explanation I would say the following.
1. My sums are covering two entries. One for my grandson as a junior and one for me as an adult. I had hoped that we might try for level 1 jointly but according to the clubs and UKRA, this is not permissible. By the way, my grandson has just turned eleven years old.
2. I haven't included UKRA annual fees. I don't yet know what they will be. I seem to remember a figure of £10 plus a fee for taking level 1. As I'm not sure on either I've excluded them from my costs.
3. Our rocket design is quite basic. All parts have been sourced and bought in the UK. We will use the same design for both rockets. I will compile two kits worth of parts.
4. BMFA costs are at 2015 rates. Club costs are at 2014 rates as like UKRA they haven't yet published their 2015 rates.
5. I am assuming that my interpretation of costs is correct. If not and if there is a more cost effective approach I would appreciate any advice.
6. I think that the cost of our kits is cheaper than an equivalent pre-prepared kit from Loc or PM. I can probably find a cheaper L1 kit from say Estes but we really want to qualify using our design. While I appreciate we may be paying a premium of £20 per rocket for doing so, the challenge and the satisfaction of doing it from scratch is worth it. It's much more fun seeing our one qualify (if it does) than it is knowing that it will fly if assembled reasonably correctly
So here's the cost:
BMFA membership adult. £32
BMFA membership junior. £17
Club membership adult. £30
Club membership junior. £20
Rocket cost (inc. motors) £158
Test cost (optional). £22
Paint cost. £15
Travel cost (2 journeys) £45
Extras (unknown) £0
UKRA (unknown) £0
Labour & time £0
I make that a total of £338 (more than my initial estimate of £250).
If we were able to qualify jointly then the cost would reduce £116 to £222.
I think the message here is that it's expensive, at least in my terms and that the clubs and authorities should continue to address the costs of the junior membership in order to encourage the young to pursue the hobby.
SO.
PS. The good news is that I received the last parts of the rocket kits today. That means we can now start to build them.
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