Is Shooting a Viking Rocket legal?

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Tbmx3 said:
Looks like you built the rocket great from your picture Rocket Man. If you don’t like or understand how friction retention works, then spend more than $7-8 bucks on a rocket. In the Estes instructions it clearly states how to safely launch each of there products. And probably not get Disqualified or worse lawn dart on someone!!! What is so hard to understand about this?
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Like I said things like that are just for safety purposes if indeed this was a minor issue i would be using this rocket Pronto but Our R.S.O. just doesn't want to risk the chances of someone getting hurt. Period he told not just me but everyone else after we got D.Q. ed from our first attempt .... i was just seeing if the build guide was wrong or i wasn't entirely understanding of this issue but thanks for the help.
 
Also from comp guidelines this year we are to have a inspection of rocket construction. Ill quote ""

Construction:
Before launching, all rockets are subject to a safety inspection for sturdiness, proper construction and fin alignment. If the rocket does not meet safety standards, it will not be allowed to compete.
 
Matt_The_RocketMan said:
just a wtf moment when i was prepping/ building the rocket "Viking" then it came to my attention as to how the hell does the engine stay inside the rocket without a Rocket Mount or holder.... We even used this rocket in comp and got DQ for retrieving it without its engine.... Please tell me i build it wrong....
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Friction Fit - Live and learn :(:mad::confused:

So here are my observations - for whatever they're worth.

The "friction fit" thing is in the Viking instructions... it's in there, yeah... but... I can't say I'm super thrilled about those Estes instructions. Sorry - that's my honest opinion. Here's the thing - You can get the Viking instructions by searching the Estes Rockets website and see for yourself. Now compare the modern Estes instructions with older instructions from the JimZ website. Pick a friction fit model on the JimZ site - maybe the Wizard for example. Compare and come to your own conclusion. -My opinion - There is a tremendous opportunity for improvement with the modern Estes instructions... I'm not volunteering... I'm just saying... -not sure anyone (Ellis) is listening. :);):cool::p:D

Sorry about the DQ - Don't give up on competition. Sometimes I think DQ really stands for DON'T QUIT!!! Rocket competition can be tons of fun, and besides- maybe someday you can show-off all your medals and trophies and such:cool::cool::cool:

Night Launch Medals.jpg
 
JJSR said:
So he'll let it fly for fun
Just not compete?
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The RSO doesn't want us to fly it at all,giving the rocket cannot support a proper engine mount ... he finds that the friction binding is useful but not entirely safe even with it working properly.. he would rather us have than not have an engine motor holder like the standard rocket has....
 
Sabrina said:
Friction Fit - Live and learn :(:mad::confused:

So here are my observations - for whatever they're worth.

The "friction fit" thing is in the Viking instructions... it's in there, yeah... but... I can't say I'm super thrilled about those Estes instructions. Sorry - that's my honest opinion. Here's the thing - You can get the Viking instructions by searching the Estes Rockets website and see for yourself. Now compare the modern Estes instructions with older instructions from the JimZ website. Pick a friction fit model on the JimZ site - maybe the Wizard for example. Compare and come to your own conclusion. -My opinion - There is a tremendous opportunity for improvement with the modern Estes instructions... I'm not volunteering... I'm just saying... -not sure anyone (Ellis) is listening. :);):cool::p:D

Sorry about the DQ - Don't give up on competition. Sometimes I think DQ really stands for DON'T QUIT!!! Rocket competition can be tons of fun, and besides- maybe someday you can show-off all your medals and trophies and such:cool::cool::cool:

View attachment 375153
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LOL yes i know DQ is never a good thing we actually make fun of it by giving out Dairy Queen Gift cards lol... and you look quite accomplished with all those medals , but i bet your comps are way more complex than ours with the size of the rockets behind you ... and ty
 
rharshberger said:
I am guessing this is not a NAR or TRA event, is it a Civil Air Patrol event?
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No, it is not a NAR comp it is supported by the US Air force ROTC.
We do have the same concepts and rules based on the rockets we will be shooting at this particular comp.
I would leave it under the lines of a Local ISD event and not the more of a Public or TRA event....
 
Okay, sounds like the RSO really has little experience with hobby rocketry, as the friction fitting of motors has been an accepted form of motor retention for over 50 years, and the Viking does have a proper motor mount, it may not use a hook or a screw on cap but it does have a proper mmt. A DQ is proper for competition if the model spits the motor during the flight, if it still does it after a good snug friction fit, then the recovery is packed to tight or possibly to much wadding or the nosecone is too tight.

Also the proper term is "launching" not "shooting".
 
rharshberger said:
Okay, sounds like the RSO really has little experience with hobby rocketry, as the friction fitting of motors has been an accepted form of motor retention for over 50 years, and the Viking does have a proper motor mount, it may not use a hook or a screw on cap but it does have a proper mmt. A DQ is proper for competition if the model spits the motor during the flight, if it still does it after a good snug friction fit, then the recovery is packed to tight or possibly to much wadding or the nosecone is too tight.

Also the proper term is "launching" not "shooting".
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I would hands down agree but again myself and 15 other teams are briefed on this question ever time we go over safety.
 
Again for everyone i understand why and how i can properly fit a engine in this rocket and not have it pop out on me during ejection charge... this question was merely just a basis on if my opinion was actually true or not.
 
The RSO always has the last word on safety. It's kinda like following the direct orders of an Air Force General.

So how about mounting a standard motor clip/hook on the outside of the rocket. I know that sounds a bit crazy, and I don't have a very good picture to show as an example... I think this idea might work for you if the RSO will allow it.

The "hook" goes on the outside of the rocket -in between the fins. Use glue and wrap a strip of index card around the rocket and over the hook - on the top half- away from the motor.


images.jpg
 
Sabrina said:
The RSO always has the last word on safety. It's kinda like following the direct orders of an Air Force General.

So how about mounting a standard motor clip/hook on the outside of the rocket. I know that sounds a bit crazy, and I don't have a very good picture to show as an example... I think this idea might work for you if the RSO will allow it.

The "hook" goes on the outside of the rocket -in between the fins. Use glue and wrap a strip of index card around the rocket and over the hook - on the top half- away from the motor.


View attachment 375158
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You know we did that as a matter of fact it was useful but when accommodating to the rocket's stability it was a downfall giving it was glued to the outside of the rocket.
Sigh yeah the whole Shenanigans for our Comp is problematic for the past year.
Being the Commander for the team is always a load due to me almost running the program
 
Shoot, I've used friction fit with 38mm fiberglass rockets. It's a lot cheaper and easier to use than the screw-in MD retainers. To remove the motor I usually ram a dowel in the top... works every time, even with very tight tape jobs.
 
Well to answer your original question

"Is it legal to launch a Viking rocket"

Yes,,, anywhere in the world..
Just not where you launch
LOL
At least we helped (I hope) you understand the concept of friction fit.
 
If it was for competition you would leave the motor stop out to save weight, oh, and only use 3 fins (nudge, nudge)
If you want, next time you could move the fins up 1/4" and the tape the motor to the BT
 
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The Estes 'Hi-Flier' is a minimum diameter rocket equipped with an external motor hook(if anyone wonders).
Rex
 
Sabrina said:
The RSO always has the last word on safety.
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100% THIS !!! Keep on tellin’ us old men “what’s up” Sabrina. :)


Matt , Lt Col Engel's safety rule regarding expending motor cases is certainly reasonable and should be followed.
 
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afadeev said:
Oh, man, I was just about to ask for videos of folks using rockets for target practice at a hunting camp ...
o_O

a
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My first thought was, why would you want to shoot a perfectly good Viking rocket, and of course its legal to shoot the rocket as long as you can pass the background checks, feel free to shoot it, just don't do it at a Rocket Launch.
 
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Now that it has come out that it is a ROTC event, not NAR or TRA, things are different. NAR and TRA competition rules do not matter. What matters is what LTC Engel says. If you're already going online for support because you don't like what a field grade officer told you, perhaps you ought to seek out alternate employment opportunities.
 
kyle said:
Now that it has come out that it is a ROTC event, not NAR or TRA, things are different. NAR and TRA competition rules do not matter. What matters is what LTC Engel says. If you're already going online for support because you don't like what a field grade officer told you, perhaps you ought to seek out alternate employment opportunities.
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Look ... people i understand the whole answer part please do not keep on nagging on this thread the question has already been answered...

-Matt
 
A couple things to add here. If you build the rocket with a 1/8” gap betweet the trailing edge of the fins and the end of the body tube, you can wrap a piece of 1/4” tape around the BT and back of motor - this will hold the motor in securely. Best tape for holding the motor in is either frog tape or blue painter’s tape. Also, if friction fitting the motir with tape wrapped around the motor, wrap it around the FRONT of the motor with a bit hanging off the front. Then wrap the tape around the front of the motor. This keeps the tape from peeling back as you insert it and exposing the adhesive side. Also, motors tend to swell and expand as the burn, so putting the tape at the front of the motor (where swelling is at a minimum) makes removing the motor afterward much easier.
 
One exception with this rocket it is a high flyer with a C6 engine lol damn thing goes almost out here with a C ... probably never see it again if it got a streamer
 

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