I'd definitely second this suggestion. You're coming in with a pretty advanced technical foundation compared to the average hobby rocketeer, so it's awful tempting to try to scale Mount Everest in the first couple weeks.
That's a recipe for possible disaster with some real head slapping WhatTheFudgeWasIDoing?? :y::shock::y:
mistakes that can be frustrating and cost money.
Speaking of money, you'll also find out the boundary points between LPR (Low Power Rocketry), using motors from 1/2A up to E size, MPR (Mid Power Rocketry), F to H motors, and HPR (High Power), which is everything above, represent "warp drive" quantum jumps in construction techniques, COSTS, flying field size demands, COSTS, eventual certification requirements, COSTS, time demands, COSTS, ground support equipment demands, COSTS, costs, and oh yeah... costs.
Starting out with a couple fairly simple LPR kits and flying with small motors in your local area allows you to get the hang of how rockets work and any mistakes you may make will likely be low-level in cost, damage, etc etc. If you bang up an $8 starter model, no big deal; if you crash a $50 MPR rocket, well, there's $50 out the window (plus probably $20 per motor).
If you go for one of the LPR starter sets many have already recommended, you can get up and flying within a few days at a local soccer/baseball field at a total cost of $30 bucks, including motors. Really, to get off the ground in MPR or HPR starts at about $100 bucks, and requires a much larger field and serious transportation.
With advances in video cams, onboard telemetry, etc etc, there is a lot of interesting stuff you can do with LPR models which will all be good foundation if you do decide you want to engage warp engines and take off with the big stuff. Also with LPR it's usually still possible to say, "hey, it's a good day today," throw your gear in one or two storage boxes, and get out and fly. With the big stuff, you pretty much need a week of advance planning, an SUV or trailer full of gear, and an hour's drive or more to your launch site.
Your profile says you're in Pittsburgh; like most Northern rocketeers you're about to enter the winter hibernation zone which will last until about April. It is possible to fly in freezing conditions but it is definitely not a good environment for a first-ever flyer. Flying in freezing conditions creates a 'combat siege' situation in which everything is done in a complete-panic mode, "let's light this candle," etc etc. Much much better to wait for the first 55 degree day in March and fly then.
Half the fun of rocketry is the designing, planning and building.
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