New here so, HI!

[Theory]

Hey there, taking a sec to say hi as I am new to the forum, but not new to this fantastic hobby. I've been flying since I was about 6 and in the late 90's achieved my TRA L1 and L2. Then life kida took me in a different direction, however, now some 18 years later I am back. My girls and I started with some of my old Estes builds and mid-power stuff (yup my parents kept it all in their attic) but now I'm looking at getting back into HPR and to re-cert at L1. I still have my inventory of 29mm and 38mm Aerotech casings so that's a step in the right direction.

Its cool to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. 1/2" launch rods have been replaced by rails, electronic dual deploy is now ultra common, and Vulcan Systems no longer makes motors, however, LOC and PML are still around with many of the venerable kits and Aerotech still makes the I-357 (one of my all time favorite motors) so I have some comfort there

For those wondering about my SN, 'Theory' was the name of my first 4" scratch build and the rocket that I got my Cert 1 on in 1998. Flew on a Vulcan H-100. Theory II was the rocket that I got my Cert II on. Another 4" build. Weighed in at 54oz and flew on a J90. Popped the main at apogee via motor ejection. Made for a heck of a walk, but it worked.

any way, just wanted to say hey.

 

[viciouspeanut]

Welcome back Theory! I'm sure you will have a blast playing with all of our nice news toys! Good luck on your re-certs!

 

[DAllen]

Hey welcome back. Where do you plan on doing your flying?

Just a note about the 38mm rear closures if you didn't already know...many moons ago AT had a large opening and small opening for the 38mm closures but now all the 38mm reloads work with the large opening rear closures so if you buy a new 38mm reload you may need to get a new rear closure with the wider diameter opening. Just something to keep an eye out for and I think that change happened somewhere around 2000-01 but don't quote me on that. Other than that, AFAIK all your old AT hardware should still work with the new reloads. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I can chime in with specifics on this topic.

 

[Bat-mite]

Hello, and welcome. Lots of rocketry here.

 

[Theory]

thank you all, and I actually have both the old "small hole gold closure" and a pair of the Dr. Rocket large opening closures. its a full set, 38mm 240-720 and 29mm 180 -240 & 40/120. moved that stuff a few times but thankfully never got rid of it.

I am in the DC metro area so I used to fly a bunch with the crew in Culpeper VA. Did my Cert 1 at 'Battle Park 98' and flew for my Cert 2 down in Whitakers NC. My first HP launch was Battle Park 93' saw a Loc Esoteric fly on a Vulcan L750SS and the rest as tehy say is history. Interestingly enough, that cert 2 flight in NC was my last until July of this year. J90 - wait 18 years - A8-3, not quite the same but still fun.

I gotta say that the free tools on thrustcurve and other sites are down right cool. such things didn't exist back when I flew. I am steadily working on plans for a new 4" bird. a previous career taught me a great deal about the world of composites and some had laid carbon fins sound like a fun project. I need to wrap my head around the new materials as the QT tubes, 'blue tubes' and others are all new to me.

 

[DAllen]

While you're roaming the interwebs be sure to check out OpenRocket as well - especially if you like free stuff.

 

[jmwoody]

Howdy Theory and welcome back to HP side of rocketry.

I'm only preceding you by a few weeks getting back to the launch pads after laying low for almost twenty years. Back at acquiring L1/L2 certs and finishing my L3 latter this coming summer. I too have all the 29/38 AT and Dr. Rocket 54 hardware although I did need to purchase a larger D/38 aft closure for the newer (too me) AT reloads.

Brought the half baked 98mm L3 project down out of the attic storage and reassessing how best to move forward with it or start over. L1/L2 rockets are getting upgraded with all new paint, electronics along with recover gear. Just proves ... what goes around comes back around sooner or in my case ... later.

Fly high not far!

John

 

[OverTheTop]

Welcome aboard Theory. Enjoy the ride! It is amazing what we can do in this hobby these days .

 

[Tyler P]

Welcome back!

Here's a question: talking about re-certifying, how long do you have to be out before it's necessary to re-cert? Are the membership numbers being recycled? Just curious. I currently don't have my TRA, but will be getting it in January. If for some reason you got pulled away from the hobby for a couple years (say, 2-3) would you have to re-cert for whatever levels you have achieved at that point?

Sorry, don't want to derail the thread, just curious.

 

[OverTheTop]

TRA allows you to step away for a year and if you renew you can still retain certifications. After that period recertification is required.

 

[jmwoody]

Good questions ... Believe it's one year past end of a paid year that you loose your cert levels and need to re-certify from zero. So ... yes, if you don't renew dues for one year plus a one day you start over.

A TRA number is issued for life to the original flyer ... start again a few years down the road and you get it back ... just not the cert levels .... testing testing and testing LOL

 

[Steve Shannon]

Welcome back!

Here's a question: talking about re-certifying, how long do you have to be out before it's necessary to re-cert? Are the membership numbers being recycled? Just curious. I currently don't have my TRA, but will be getting it in January. If for some reason you got pulled away from the hobby for a couple years (say, 2-3) would you have to re-cert for whatever levels you have achieved at that point?

Sorry, don't want to derail the thread, just curious.

As OvertheTop said Tripoli certifications expire one year after your membership expires. The answers for the L2 test have changed in the years since you dropped out, but the study guide is on the website.
Your old number is still yours. If you need, I can help you find out what it was.
Tripoli is happy to have you return!
Also, look into the Tripoli Mentoring Program for your daughter.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Sometimes I can help. [emoji16]

 

[OverTheTop]

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Sometimes I can help.

That's why you are at the top of the tree Steve!

 

[Tyler P]

As OvertheTop said Tripoli certifications expire one year after your membership expires. The answers for the L2 test have changed in the years since you dropped out, but the study guide is on the website.
Your old number is still yours. If you need, I can help you find out what it was.
Tripoli is happy to have you return!
Also, look into the Tripoli Mentoring Program for your daughter.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Sometimes I can help. [emoji16]

Actually, I have never been a member but I'll be joining soon. It was more of a question of how long you have to keep it up to keep your certifications, which was answered nicely. I don't plan on leaving once I'm in, but if I were to go away for a bit, I was curious about how that worked.

I actually have two kids that would benefit from a mentoring program but I'm not sure yet if either one is really interested to that extent. They enjoy launching but not so much the geeky stuff I enjoy so much about the hobby, haha!

Thanks for the quick answers! Great help around here, as usual!

 

[Tobor]

Howdy and welcome. Glad you found us.

 

[Bat-mite]

thank you all, and I actually have both the old "small hole gold closure" and a pair of the Dr. Rocket large opening closures. its a full set, 38mm 240-720 and 29mm 180 -240 & 40/120. moved that stuff a few times but thankfully never got rid of it.

I am in the DC metro area so I used to fly a bunch with the crew in Culpeper VA. Did my Cert 1 at 'Battle Park 98' and flew for my Cert 2 down in Whitakers NC. My first HP launch was Battle Park 93' saw a Loc Esoteric fly on a Vulcan L750SS and the rest as tehy say is history. Interestingly enough, that cert 2 flight in NC was my last until July of this year. J90 - wait 18 years - A8-3, not quite the same but still fun.

I gotta say that the free tools on thrustcurve and other sites are down right cool. such things didn't exist back when I flew. I am steadily working on plans for a new 4" bird. a previous career taught me a great deal about the world of composites and some had laid carbon fins sound like a fun project. I need to wrap my head around the new materials as the QT tubes, 'blue tubes' and others are all new to me.

What?!? You haven't been to MDRA yet? I hereby charge you to get out to the Higgs Farm ASAP!

 

[Theory]

Thank you again all, and I looked at that and the farm looks to be a hike from my place. I will look into it though. Going to need to find a prefect for my certs

My old high power birds didn’t like the high temp cycles of a Norther VA attic. Lots of broken epoxy and other issues. No worries though, I enjoy building as much as flying. I did find my brothers Minie Mag and fixed it up. That may be my Cert 1 vehicle.

The others are also correct, TRA #05133 was renewed a month or so ago

 

[Theory]

The Minie mag sitting on my big launch pad. Purchase from ‘Magnum’ also in the late 90’s. The pad took a ton of TLC to bring back, but she will work. Got my eye on a Giant Leap launch rail

 

[Steve Shannon]

Actually, I have never been a member but I'll be joining soon. It was more of a question of how long you have to keep it up to keep your certifications, which was answered nicely. I don't plan on leaving once I'm in, but if I were to go away for a bit, I was curious about how that worked.

I actually have two kids that would benefit from a mentoring program but I'm not sure yet if either one is really interested to that extent. They enjoy launching but not so much the geeky stuff I enjoy so much about the hobby, haha!

Thanks for the quick answers! Great help around here, as usual!

Someone ought to tell you that NAR certifications are lifetime. We still want you to join Tripoli, but you deserve to know that. Tripoli’s Mentoring Program starts at age 12. NAR’s Jr. L1 starts at 14.

 

[jmwoody]

Ah the grand ol dame mini mag ... I got my L1 with that too and later extended it after a zipper to make a taller mini mag or mid mag as I called it. Ejection issues later returned it back into a mini mini mag ...lol

 

[Tyler P]

Someone ought to tell you that NAR certifications are lifetime. We still want you to join Tripoli, but you deserve to know that. Tripoli’s Mentoring Program starts at age 12. NAR’s Jr. L1 starts at 14.

I'll be joining Tripoli because our local group, Ottawa Rocketry Group, is Tripoli. But who knows, I might join both and certify under both. It definitely would be nice to be able to keep the certs lifetime but I also hope to be keeping up rocketry for awhile!

 

[Steve Shannon]

I'll be joining Tripoli because our local group, Ottawa Rocketry Group, is Tripoli. But who knows, I might join both and certify under both. It definitely would be nice to be able to keep the certs lifetime but I also hope to be keeping up rocketry for awhile!

Regardless of which you certify with, the other will accept that certification and update your certification level accordingly. Details are on both organizations’ websites.

 

[solid_fuel]

If one were to certify with Tripoli then join NAR the certs would then be both orgs? Then even with only one year of NAR membership and never attending a NAR launch ever then you would be lifetime certified at that level with NAR? then you could 10 or so years after not being a member of either rejoin NAR still having never launched at a NAR launch still be the level you were previously and then rejoin Tripoli and be still cross over certified at that level with both organizations?

 

[Steve Shannon]

If one were to certify with Tripoli then join NAR the certs would then be both orgs? Then even with only one year of NAR membership and never attending a NAR launch ever then you would be lifetime certified at that level with NAR? then you could 10 or so years after not being a member of either rejoin NAR still never launch at a NAR launch still be the level you were previously and then rejoin Tripoli and be still cross over certified at that level with both organizations?

Yes; although you have to send your most recent certification results with one of the organizations. Crazy, isn’t it. I refer to it as NAR insurance.

 

[MaxQ]

Its cool to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same.
For those wondering about my SN, 'Theory' was the name of my first 4" scratch build and the rocket that I got my Cert 1 on in 1998. Flew on a Vulcan H-100.

Welcome to the Forum.
Vulcan H-100 , wow...that was an old one.
I did my Cert 1 on one of those myself...single use Vulcan H-100 "smokey sam" in a Loc IV...booted that rocket near out of site.
Battlepark '93 . - We must have crossed paths, that was my first HPR launch too.

Your AT 29s and 38s are old reliables...good thing you held onto them

 

[blackjack2564]

Welcome ! Have fun & fly high.

 

[Handeman]

I wasn't flying at BattlePark until '03, but come out again. Mike is still running things out there. We're on a new site from the one used in '93, but its still a great place to fly.

 

[Theory]

I wasn't flying at BattlePark until '03, but come out again. Mike is still running things out there. We're on a new site from the one used in '93, but its still a great place to fly.

Cool deal!

Mike signed my cert 1 and proctored my L2 exam (both on the same day)