Howdy from Houston, TX.
It took about half a day, but my activiation email finally arrived. Thought I'd use my first post to introduce myself.
I'm 36, and just now getting back into rocketry. I grew up in Odessa, TX (yes, the town from the book, Friday Night Lights). When I was younger, we used to head down to the local park and launch rockets. Back then, I stuck with whatever was available at the local hobby store. The funny thing is, that hobby store was pretty well stocked. They even carried materials for scratch rocket building. I've been to supposed "hobby" stores in Houston, and all they carry is RTF kits with launch pads. Michael's has a pretty decent selection, but nothing like the hobby store I grew up with. Anyway, as a kid, I flew multi-stage rockets, payload rockets, multi-stage payload rockets, a really nice scratch built rocket I called "the Arabian" because of the look of the fins, a camera rocket, and a bunch more. I was really into it. The last flight I remember was a mean machine launch in front of a bunch of guys at an RC airfield (they were really excited). The motor mount, with motor, went flying through the nosecone and straight into the air... out of sight. The rocket fell from about 10 feet in the air. I was pretty disappointed.
But alas, I now have a 6 year old son, and he loves rockets!!!! We started back into the hobby with one of those complete kits. We've now built and flown a couple of Estes rockets, including the Storm Caster (which is currently my son's favorite rocket). Now that we have the internet, I'm almost overwhelmed at my choices of rockets to buy online. I really had a burning desire to avenge myself... and so I set out to find another Mean Machine kit. They were out of stock everywhere. So, I recently concluded my construction of a Sunward Aviation CFX Six Footer. We'll be launching soon. I also bought a Fliskit's Tres kit. It is now complete and ready to fly. I have a Gemini DC currently under construction... all though I've grown to dislike the Estes models after building a Sunward and Fliskits model.
Since I knew my Tres was a cluster (will be my first), I knew I needed a more powerful launcher than my stock Estes controller. So, after doing much research, I purchased Doug Pratt's RTLS Module One. Having done that, I'm really fired up about the idea of doing my level one certification, and eventually the level two. Currently, I'm looking around for a good mid-power launch pad. I think I'm going to try and build the Sumo. Looks like a fun rocket (I love the short fat rockets... and yes, I have recently build the Fat Boy). The Sumo to me is a giant Fat Boy kit. I have my eye on the Yellow Jacket pad, but it seems pricey... especially after just dropping decent $$$$ on a controller.
So, that's me in a nutshell, are where my interests currently sit. I plan to join NAR, and would like to join a flying club in Houston, preferably near Sugar Land. It's pretty darn difficult to find a decent field in this town. You either have buildings, houses, or trees.
Anyway, glad to be a member of this forum. Looks like there is a ton of great information.
It took about half a day, but my activiation email finally arrived. Thought I'd use my first post to introduce myself.
I'm 36, and just now getting back into rocketry. I grew up in Odessa, TX (yes, the town from the book, Friday Night Lights). When I was younger, we used to head down to the local park and launch rockets. Back then, I stuck with whatever was available at the local hobby store. The funny thing is, that hobby store was pretty well stocked. They even carried materials for scratch rocket building. I've been to supposed "hobby" stores in Houston, and all they carry is RTF kits with launch pads. Michael's has a pretty decent selection, but nothing like the hobby store I grew up with. Anyway, as a kid, I flew multi-stage rockets, payload rockets, multi-stage payload rockets, a really nice scratch built rocket I called "the Arabian" because of the look of the fins, a camera rocket, and a bunch more. I was really into it. The last flight I remember was a mean machine launch in front of a bunch of guys at an RC airfield (they were really excited). The motor mount, with motor, went flying through the nosecone and straight into the air... out of sight. The rocket fell from about 10 feet in the air. I was pretty disappointed.
But alas, I now have a 6 year old son, and he loves rockets!!!! We started back into the hobby with one of those complete kits. We've now built and flown a couple of Estes rockets, including the Storm Caster (which is currently my son's favorite rocket). Now that we have the internet, I'm almost overwhelmed at my choices of rockets to buy online. I really had a burning desire to avenge myself... and so I set out to find another Mean Machine kit. They were out of stock everywhere. So, I recently concluded my construction of a Sunward Aviation CFX Six Footer. We'll be launching soon. I also bought a Fliskit's Tres kit. It is now complete and ready to fly. I have a Gemini DC currently under construction... all though I've grown to dislike the Estes models after building a Sunward and Fliskits model.
Since I knew my Tres was a cluster (will be my first), I knew I needed a more powerful launcher than my stock Estes controller. So, after doing much research, I purchased Doug Pratt's RTLS Module One. Having done that, I'm really fired up about the idea of doing my level one certification, and eventually the level two. Currently, I'm looking around for a good mid-power launch pad. I think I'm going to try and build the Sumo. Looks like a fun rocket (I love the short fat rockets... and yes, I have recently build the Fat Boy). The Sumo to me is a giant Fat Boy kit. I have my eye on the Yellow Jacket pad, but it seems pricey... especially after just dropping decent $$$$ on a controller.
So, that's me in a nutshell, are where my interests currently sit. I plan to join NAR, and would like to join a flying club in Houston, preferably near Sugar Land. It's pretty darn difficult to find a decent field in this town. You either have buildings, houses, or trees.
Anyway, glad to be a member of this forum. Looks like there is a ton of great information.
