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Aeronerd

LPR, Gliderholic
Joined
May 30, 2020
Messages
200
Reaction score
69
Hi everyone I just signed up in the rocketry forum and hope it's okay to introduce myself in this category since I have always had an interest in gliders and rockets since I was a kid. I never went beyond building those hand tossed guillows type kits (my dad got me one of those glow plug hand line planes which I promptly crashed and that was the end of motorized planes) but I could always spend hours having fun with those hand tossed gliders or launching low power rockets, the only kind we had back then.
Fast forward 4 decades and I suddenly find myself with time on my hands and in search of a hobby. Tried a bunch of things but couldn't really get into them. Found myself in a hobby shop one day and came across a rack full of Estes model rockets. That brought back all the fun memories of gliders and rocket launches. Went online out of curiosity to see if the sport still existed in any kind of organized way. I was surprised to see how well it had and how much it had progressed in all those decades. Lots of changes! Lots to catch up on. Found so many knowledgeable people in these forums and been just a lurker for a few weeks learning about all the changes and new techniques. So I thought it was time to register so I could be part of this "community" and be able to talk to folks instead of just reading thru all the posts.
 
Well welcome aboard aeronerd. It’s defiantly a great hobby and certainly so many knowledgeable people on this forum that are always willing to help with feedback or help when you have a question. I too am a BAR (born again rocketeer) and it’s just an amazing hobby with awesome people
Enjoy and welcome again
 
Well welcome aboard aeronerd. It’s defiantly a great hobby and certainly so many knowledgeable people on this forum that are always willing to help with feedback or help when you have a question. I too am a BAR (born again rocketeer) and it’s just an amazing hobby with awesome people
Enjoy and welcome again
Thanks Adam. And now I also know what a BAR is lol. Seen it in a few posts and had no idea what it meant. Boy I have a lot to catch up on.
 
Thanks Adam. And now I also know what a BAR is lol. Seen it in a few posts and had no idea what it meant. Boy I have a lot to catch up on.

Trust me I also had a lot of catching up to do and still learning more and more lol sometimes I get lost deep in threads just amazed at what I like and want to try myself so many cool ideas and different rocket building techniques 👍🏻
 
Welcome back to the hobby. If its knowledge you seek you've come to right place. You'll find after awhile you will be "hooked" again. We are all addicts so you'll fit right in.:welcome:

But seriously you won't find a better bunch of guys and gals who love this hobby as much you do if not more. So many times I've had issues (mental issues?) wait rocket issues etc and always had someone here to help. The mental issues come later when you find yourself buying things you really don't need like your 150th kit that just stacks up the build pile even higher.:D Don't worry you will be there soon like all of us, because deep down we are all a bit crazy, but sincerely a great bunch. If there's anything you need or have questions just post it. Hope you stay around for many many years to come.

Again welcome back!:)
 
Welcome back to the hobby. If its knowledge you seek you've come to right place. You'll find after awhile you will be "hooked" again. We are all addicts so you'll fit right in.:welcome:

But seriously you won't find a better bunch of guys and gals who love this hobby as much you do if not more. So many times I've had issues (mental issues?) wait rocket issues etc and always had someone here to help. The mental issues come later when you find yourself buying things you really don't need like your 150th kit that just stacks up the build pile even higher.:D Don't worry you will be there soon like all of us, because deep down we are all a bit crazy, but sincerely a great bunch. If there's anything you need or have questions just post it. Hope you stay around for many many years to come.

Again welcome back!:)
Wow thanks really appreciate that, feels good not to be alone with this "addiction". I always tnought it was a "kid's hobby" but now I can see where it grew into a serious SPORT involving a lot of aerodynamics/electronics/engineering and tech, especially in high power rocketry. Good to see HS and colleges now involved as a path to STEM. Exciting times.
 
Welcome to the zoo! Regardless of your rocketry interests you will find someone here of like mind. Enjoy the journey. :welcome:
 
RADIO CONTROL ROCKET GLIDERS
From your initial description, my guess is that you do not have experience with RC aircraft.

To enter this realm, you will need to spend $200 (more or less) on a RC transmitter. You will then need to buy receivers ($40), servos ($15 each), batteries ($10), and battery charger ($10 to $100).

You will also need to learn to fly RC model aircraft. Flying a rocket glider can be quite challenging; you have to rapidly make decisions about glide rate and flight path. This is not too bad for some models, and very challenging for others. I suggest checking your area for RC clubs.
To find an RC club near you: https://www.modelaircraft.org/club-finder

Motion RC - A good source for RC equipment: https://www.motionrc.com/

Tower Hobbies: https://www.towerhobbies.com/

Having dragged you through all this (sorry), let's talk about Dynasoar Rocketry: https://dynasoarrocketry.com/

Frank [burkefj] at Dynasoar has engineered the optimum combination of motor, aircraft, and performance. From a Shuttle to a F-14 to a Klingon Battlecruiser. He is an excellent source of kits and advice.
 
Welcome Aeronerd.

Don't walk. Run. Get away from this boost/glider madness.

I've been a BAR for only a few months and I have built three Red Barons and am now building three Mega Barons from Squirrel Works. I haven't built or launched anything in 44 years.

Madness, just madness.
 
Qapla'! ["Success!" in Klingon].

So, radio control or free flight?
Free flight. RC seems to have a big learning curve. Once over it tho I like how you can control your plane. There's zero control with free flight so it takes more skill to design something that will fly with no input. I have heard it said that you can make (force) anything to fly with RC.
 
FREE FLIGHT
Here are some companies with free flight rocket glider kits:

Apogee Components: https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Glider-Rockets?sort=20a&page=1

Squirrel Works: https://www.squirrel-works.com/glider.html

J&H Aerospace: https://jhaerospace.com/product-category/rocket-gliders/

I am sure other people can list some good sources of free flight gliders too; but these websites will get some good info for free flight gliders.
Thanks for the list. I bought a Bluejay from the Apogee company. Strange looking but it flies real good. Will look into the other companies, I only knew about Estes and Centuri (closed?) before accidentally finding apogee.
 
RADIO CONTROL ROCKET GLIDERS
From your initial description, my guess is that you do not have experience with RC aircraft.

To enter this realm, you will need to spend $200 (more or less) on a RC transmitter. You will then need to buy receivers ($40), servos ($15 each), batteries ($10), and battery charger ($10 to $100).

You will also need to learn to fly RC model aircraft. Flying a rocket glider can be quite challenging; you have to rapidly make decisions about glide rate and flight path. This is not too bad for some models, and very challenging for others. I suggest checking your area for RC clubs.
To find an RC club near you: https://www.modelaircraft.org/club-finder

Motion RC - A good source for RC equipment: https://www.motionrc.com/

Tower Hobbies: https://www.towerhobbies.com/

Having dragged you through all this (sorry), let's talk about Dynasoar Rocketry: https://dynasoarrocketry.com/

Frank [burkefj] at Dynasoar has engineered the optimum combination of motor, aircraft, and performance. From a Shuttle to a F-14 to a Klingon Battlecruiser. He is an excellent source of kits and advice.
Wow appreciate all the info. I have been thinking of eventually getting into RC if I can get these 'ole reflexes in shape. Closest I ever got was a glow plug control line plane when I was 12. Crashed it real bad and that pretty much ended that. 😫
 
Welcome Aeronerd.

Don't walk. Run. Get away from this boost/glider madness.

I've been a BAR for only a few months and I have built three Red Barons and am now building three Mega Barons from Squirrel Works. I haven't built or launched anything in 44 years.

Madness, just madness.
Too late. Hooked. Hooked bad. Been online recently. The more I look the more I want. Already have a list started. And it keeps getting longer. Now if I can just whittle down the honey-do list I think I have a chance to get maybe half the stuff on it...:rolleyes:
 
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Boost gliders are a major addiction. I cleared out almost all of my old kits to fund a new startup with the exception of my RockitFlite Fake Wulf, which I will build when I get a better launch site than our mango farm. Search for it on this forum. An amazing kit from an amazing talent.

Lots of good people here to help you out with your glider ventures. You sound like you've built plenty of gliders in the past, so should have no trouble working from plans. I would suggest the Holverson Silver Hawk, one of my favourite gliders, as a start point.

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/hdi/hdi2002/hdi2002.htm
As a crowd pleaser, the Centuri Mach 10 is a simple to build rocket glider with a guaranteed take-off loop to make 'em all duck. Flies remarkably well. After the loop. Which it does every time. :D

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/centuri/cenKA-4/cenKA-4.htm
Again, welcome. Have fun. Ask questions. Post pictures. :)
 
Boost gliders are a major addiction. I cleared out almost all of my old kits to fund a new startup with the exception of my RockitFlite Fake Wulf, which I will build when I get a better launch site than our mango farm. Search for it on this forum. An amazing kit from an amazing talent.

Lots of good people here to help you out with your glider ventures. You sound like you've built plenty of gliders in the past, so should have no trouble working from plans. I would suggest the Holverson Silver Hawk, one of my favourite gliders, as a start point.

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/hdi/hdi2002/hdi2002.htm
As a crowd pleaser, the Centuri Mach 10 is a simple to build rocket glider with a guaranteed take-off loop to make 'em all duck. Flies remarkably well. After the loop. Which it does every time. :D

https://plans.rocketshoppe.com/centuri/cenKA-4/cenKA-4.htm
Again, welcome. Have fun. Ask questions. Post pictures. :)
Cheers and thanks for the recommendations. That Mach 10 looks like a fast, fun, easy project and is cool looking as well.
 
Thanks for the list. I bought a Bluejay from the Apogee company. Strange looking but it flies real good. Will look into the other companies, I only knew about Estes and Centuri (closed?) before accidentally finding apogee.
Damon in late 1970 or early 1980s brought out Centuri and Estes... Estes was sold in 2012 to Hobbyico. Hobbyico went bankrupt, sold Estes to a new company headed by a fellow Rocketeer. Bill Stine former Quest is now a VP of the new company.
 
Welcome. As a BAR who had been absent from the hobby for over 40 years I can guarantee you've found the right place to land!! A trove of information, ideas, and a chuckle or three.
 
Welcome. As a BAR who had been absent from the hobby for over 40 years I can guarantee you've found the right place to land!! A trove of information, ideas, and a chuckle or three.
Thanks and I agree this is a fantastic place to catch up on all the changes since I've been away (and there have been a lot of changes)! Lots of help and all the tips and techniques are real eye openers. Can't help but get enthused!
 
Hey Nerd..

What are you building? Did you pick one or three?

Stan
Not sure yet. Probably something easy to begin with like one of the edmonds gliders from the JimZ website. Been looking at a lot of reveiws online and they say Edmonds gliders are pretty idiot proof. What do you think of the cici? I never built a canard glider before so I thought it would be interesting. Also saw something on the Apogee website called a HX-10 that looked pretty cool and simple too.
 
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