Zeus-cat
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- Mar 14, 2009
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I was going to post this over at YORF, but I am having login problems.
The model rocketry business is not only big enough for Ests and all these little guys, but I don't think I would still be flying if it were not for Semroc and some of the other vendors. I log all my flights in a spreadsheet so I compiled some statistics based on my flights since Jan 1, 2009.
Rocket made by flights
clone (OOP Estes) 11
Estes 10
Fliskits 6
Launch Pad 16
Scratch build 33
Semroc 3
Total 79 flights
Motors used
Estes A-E 78
Aerotech 3
Total 81 (several cluster flights which is why motors used exceeds launches)
Only 13% of my flights have used rockets produced by Estes, but 96% of the flights were made on Estes motors.
It is the wide varity of kits and hardware from various vendors that has kept me interested in flying rockets. On 28 of those flights with Estes motors I launched a Perfectflite altimeter. Most of my rockets now use Nomex chute protectors from Sirius Rocketry. Even the Estes kit I just finished was modified with a Kevlar shock cord from Semroc.
I just finished a scratch build rocket that will use Estes motors. At the same time I finished an Estes Sidewinder kit that I modified to a 24mm mount. Again, it will fly mainly on Estes motors. I am building a Fliskits Alien8 that will fly on Estes motors. I am also building a scratch build rocket that will fly only on Aerotech RMS motors. I ALWAYS launch at least one Estes powered rocket to test the wind before I launch an RMS powered rocket. So even flying another vendors motor gets me to fly at least one (probably 5 or 6) Estes motors!
If I had to solely rely on Estes for my rocketry needs the number of my launches would have been a lot lower. The bean counters and the lawyers representing Estes need to realize that many of us use the vendors to enhance our rocketry experience and not to replace Estes. Take a good look at the numbers above and you will see that getting rid of Semroc and other vendors will not increase the amount of Estes products I buy, it will decrease it.
The model rocketry business is not only big enough for Ests and all these little guys, but I don't think I would still be flying if it were not for Semroc and some of the other vendors. I log all my flights in a spreadsheet so I compiled some statistics based on my flights since Jan 1, 2009.
Rocket made by flights
clone (OOP Estes) 11
Estes 10
Fliskits 6
Launch Pad 16
Scratch build 33
Semroc 3
Total 79 flights
Motors used
Estes A-E 78
Aerotech 3
Total 81 (several cluster flights which is why motors used exceeds launches)
Only 13% of my flights have used rockets produced by Estes, but 96% of the flights were made on Estes motors.
It is the wide varity of kits and hardware from various vendors that has kept me interested in flying rockets. On 28 of those flights with Estes motors I launched a Perfectflite altimeter. Most of my rockets now use Nomex chute protectors from Sirius Rocketry. Even the Estes kit I just finished was modified with a Kevlar shock cord from Semroc.
I just finished a scratch build rocket that will use Estes motors. At the same time I finished an Estes Sidewinder kit that I modified to a 24mm mount. Again, it will fly mainly on Estes motors. I am building a Fliskits Alien8 that will fly on Estes motors. I am also building a scratch build rocket that will fly only on Aerotech RMS motors. I ALWAYS launch at least one Estes powered rocket to test the wind before I launch an RMS powered rocket. So even flying another vendors motor gets me to fly at least one (probably 5 or 6) Estes motors!
If I had to solely rely on Estes for my rocketry needs the number of my launches would have been a lot lower. The bean counters and the lawyers representing Estes need to realize that many of us use the vendors to enhance our rocketry experience and not to replace Estes. Take a good look at the numbers above and you will see that getting rid of Semroc and other vendors will not increase the amount of Estes products I buy, it will decrease it.