I am interested in earning the NAR’s National Association of Rocketry Training Rocketeers for Experience and Knowledge (NARTREK) achievements. One of the tasks for the Silver achievement is the construction and flight of a boosted glider. Apogee Components has suggested kits for completing each level of the program. The Sky Condor Boost Glider is a recommended kit for the Silver level.
Month: October 2018
Buccaneer Blast 2018
The Tripoli Tampa Prefecture has been holding a Buccaneer Blast 2-day launch event for the last ten years. This year’s event was great. The weather was a little warm on Saturday, but it was perfect on Sunday.
Callahan’s Express Launch
This summer’s weather in Tampa has kept the Tripoli Tampa’s launch pasture closed due to excessive water on the field. Finally, the winter pattern started, and the daily thunderstorms have ended. This past weekend was the Buccaneer Blast hosted by Tripoli Tampa and I was able to launch the Callahan’s Express. I planned on launching the rocket on Saturday. After seeing a couple of rockets break apart in flight and watching another one burn up on the launchpad, I decided to put my launch on hold. Not to worry, I did launch it on Sunday. So, read on to see more (including a video).
Ode to the PerfectFlite StratoLoggerCF
To have a traditional dual-deploy high power rocket, you must have a flight computer. This flight computer has a built-in altimeter and programmable logic to fire pyrotechnic charges. To do my Tripoli Level 2 certification flight, I wanted to use a flight computer to get practice for my Level 3 attempt. After reading reviews online I decided on the StratoLoggerCF built by PerfectFlite which I purchased from Apogee Components. I have been very happy with this computer and have flown it on numerous flights. So, without further ado here is my ode to the PerfectFlite StratoLoggerCF.
MAC Performance Scorpion
When I was at the AIRFest 24 launch last Labor Day weekend I met the folks at MAC Performance Rocketry. This company uses canvas phenolic airframes to build very strong rockets that are Mach capable out of the box. I liked what I saw, so I purchased their 54mm scorpion rocket kit with the 38mm motor mount. So, here is the MAC Performance Scorpion.