Storing motors for cert attempts

So a question here... I was thinking about getting an M motor from wadavidson's thread, but the thing is, my L3 rocket is not going to be ready for at least a year or more. Is it permissible for me to buy an M motor for a cert attempt and store it for that long?

Antares JS said:

So a question here... I was thinking about getting an M motor from wadavidson's thread, but the thing is, my L3 rocket is not going to be ready for at least a year or more. Is it permissible for me to buy an M motor for a cert attempt and store it for that long?

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Sure

I have two engines that i've been sitting on for several months. My suggestion is to keep the motor in its packaging until you are ready to launch. No need to have a ready made engine sitting in a drawer while you build your L3 rocket. Good luck!

Mrgbus said:

I have two engines that i've been sitting on for several months. My suggestion is to keep the motor in its packaging until you are ready to launch. No need to have a ready made engine sitting in a drawer while you build your L3 rocket. Good luck!

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That was the plan. The TAP witnessing your flight has to watch you assemble the motor anyway.

Thank you both. Now to chat with wadavidson...

Antares JS said:

That was the plan. The TAP witnessing your flight has to watch you assemble the motor anyway.

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Really? I wasn't aware that TRA had that reg for L3

Nytrunner said:

Really? I wasn't aware that TRA had that reg for L3

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Yup, see the "Motor" heading. https://www.tripoli.org/Level3

That certainly adds some logistics if grain bonding is required. Probably won't be doing that the morning-of

Nytrunner said:

That certainly adds some logistics if grain bonding is required. Probably won't be doing that the morning-of

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If I was the TAP overseeing the project, I would allow the grain bonding to be done beforehand and just require some pictures of you doing it and to inspect the work before the grains are inserted. Communication with your TAP is key. It's something I keep hearing from people who have gotten their L3 certs.

When I do my L3, if bonding is required, I figure I'll just arrange for my TAP to swing by my hotel at Airfest a day or two before go-time.

Yes, I'm spoiled.

dhbarr said:

When I do my L3, if bonding is required, I figure I'll just arrange for my TAP to swing by my hotel at Airfest a day or two before go-time.

Yes, I'm spoiled.

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That's exactly what I did with my L3 cert motor assembly a couple of years ago at Airfest. Grippo stopped by my room and checked on the build.