Gheem

My true foray into hobby rocketry did not really begin unit about 2 years ago. I had built a few of the kits from the local hobby store, and remember being really proud of my mars lander, and orbital transports, as well as the infamous interceptor model. Over the years from that time, i lost sight of the fun and moved on to other aspects of life until 2 years ago, when I once again took a look at my local hobby shop and was surprised to see the size and downright coolness of the Leviathan, from the Pro-Series 2 of Estes. As a birthday present to myself, i bought it and built it.

I remembered the fun I had as a kid, and it all came back to me as I was sanding fins and building the motor mount. I soon turned the the internet, being in IT, and found out all sorts of things like dual deploy, the reloadable motors, and the sheer power of all the new things that came out since I was a kid. I decided at that time to go for dual deploy, learn the electronics, fly G motors, and move up to L1, before I even flew my first rocket in over 30 years! At that point I decided to find a club and join the NAR, being less cavalier than my younger days, and besides, its more fun to fly with other people anyway.

I joined the MTMA, and found the best bunch of guys that I could have imagined. Each of the members is into different aspects of the hobby, contest or sport, and each have developed techniques and building practices that are all different and all valid, so the info I have gained from my club has been fantastic and fun.

Almost one year since I built my first born again rocket, I was ready fro my L1 test. I had chosen the Madcow Torrent and dual deployed it. Some folks said I was nuts to attempt an L1 with dual deploy, but I had flow and tested it enough to know the electronics would work and be fine. The first attempt failed, but because of an improperly loaded motor. I was able to attempt again that day, and the flight was perfect.

It seemed perfectly normal for me to go for the mid power dual deployment, since it offered me a lot of data and a step into what I would need to get my L1 and beyond. The experience I gained with dual deploying F and G motors has given me a solid foundation which is exactly what I wanted to do.

Currently I am enjoying my L1, I tend to prefer the larger rockets, and I dual deploy everything except one or 2 rockets I like to fly on lower power H motors, like my LOC 4 inch V2. I am slowing down my push to L2 a bit as I am really enjoying where I am right now. I also want to gain some more flying experience with the larger impulse I motors and then just make the move to the L2. I do have a single use J motor in my box, and the L2 rocket I am building is a 5.5 inch Archer upscale, but I still need to put the parts together and I’m not rushing to the finish line with it.