So the nerves are definitely starting to set in. After following Kevin and Jon's build threads from the beginning, and seeing the results, I'm getting real nervous. I've been down that road before, with two L3 failures under my belt.:blush: I can definitely feel their pain.
I've had four failures, all different causes. First was an electronics failure -- charges fired before the rocket cleared the pad. Second, I got a main at apogee, and per Tripoli rules at the time, the flight wasn't "as documented," ergo no cert. Third flight, the airframe collapsed on the way up -- I'd obviously damaged it between the 2nd and 3rd attempts. 4th, well, let's just say I planted a rocket tree.
Failures happen -- as I told someone else (who unfortunately didn't get his, due to a zipper), once it's on the pad, it either works or it doesn't, and you have to deal with it either way. Fortunately, Clay was disappointed, but he took it well, and is planning for next year.
Now, all that said, have a checklist, so you avoid the simple mistakes. Then, go out with the intention being to have fun, no matter what happens.
Yeah, my flight didn't work. But you know what? My friends gave me 10 minutes of grief over the PA before the button was pushed, and
that was worth more than you can imagine!
In rocketry, it's not the flights that matter, it's the people. A cert is a neat thing to get, but in the end, the rockets are what draw us all together.
-Kevin
