Links to Rocketry Resources, Vendors and FAQs

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Scott Schnegelberger

(Inter)national Rocketry Organizations
Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA)
National Association of Rocketry (NAR)

Nearby/Regional Rocketry Clubs and Launches
Rocketry of Central Carolina (ROCC) – Charlotte, NC
South Carolina (ICBM & ROSCO) – Camden, SC
SouthEast Virginia Rocketry Association (SEVRA) – Chesapeake, VA
Maryland Delaware Rocketry Association Inc.(MDRA) – 4 Launch sites near Price, MD
Tripoli Central Virginia– Culpeper, VA
Valley Aerospace Team – Monterey, VA
New River Valley Rocketry – Blacksburg, VA

National Launches
Large Dangerous Rocket Ships (LDRS)  Tripoli annual national launch
National Sport Launch (NSL)  NAR semi-annual sport launch
NAR Annual Meet (NARAM) NAR annual meet (contest flying)

Aerotech The website of one of the major motor manufacturers, lots of motor data, kits and other stuff.
Cesaroni Description of all the motors available from CTI (Cesaroni Technology Inc.), from the mid- to high-power range
AMW If you trace the ancestry of this company back through the mists of time, you come to the one-and-only Frank Kosdon. At this point, the company sells snap-ring cases of a lot of different sizes and general rocket stuff. Robert Dehate.
Loki Research 38mm through 152mm motors and reloads. Scott Kormeyer.
Estes Lots of kits and motors from the oldest company in low-power rocketry.
Quest Aerospace Another company specializing in low power kits and motors. Be sure to check out their MicroMaxx products!
Gorilla Rocket Motors Jim Harris sells a variety of 38mm through 152mm hardware and propellant kits. Check on availability, the future of this company has been in doubt.

Commercial Websites
Performance Hobbies Our local vender, carries a wide variety of mid and high power parts and supplies and motors of all sizes. On most weekends, even if Ken Allen is not coming to the launch, call him and order what you need and somebody will pick it up and bring it to the field for you.
ACP Composites All kinds of composites, laminates, fabrics, epoxy adhesives and additives. Ready to work with the small-budget hobby people.
AC Supply Great prices on Estes kits and engines. Typically 40% off.
Always Ready Rocketry Suppliers of the extremely tough Blue Tube body tube material in sizes from 1.15″ to 7.5″.
Apogee Components A low-power company with a lot of kits and building materials.
Art Applewhite Rockets Big assortment of odd rockets? things that shouldn’t fly, but actually fly quite well. Good for those cloudy days!!
Balsa Machining AeroTech rocket motors at a significant discount. Lots of low power parts.
Binder Design Some very interesting 3″ and 4″ rocket kits and a variety of hardware and recovery material.
Buy Rocket Motors Aerotech rocket motors at a significant discount.
Chris’s Rocket Supplies AeroTech and Cesaroni motors, supplies and kits.
Discount Rocketry Model and high power rockets.
Dog House Rocketry Unique parts for recovery and launchers.
ERockets A large variety of low and mid-power kits and parts, including Semroc kits.
Estes Lots of kits and motors from the oldest company in low-power rocketry.
Featherweight Altimeters Very small, extremely capable altimeters. Since the demise of Ozark Aerospace, these are the only reasonably-priced altimeters to incorporate a recording accelerometer.
Giant Leap Rocketry Another high-power dealer, with a good selection of building materials and composites. They carry the Aeropoxy line of epoxies and fillers, very high quality. Motor cases and reloads, also.
HobbyLinc Low power supplies, motors, etc.
JonRocket Lots of low and mid power kits from various manufacturers.
Leading Edge Rocketry A west-coast dealer specializing in low-power
LOC Precision Rocketry A manufacturer of mid and high power rocket kits and parts.
Madcow Rocketry Many high power kits and lots of building components
Mega Hobby Estes rockets
MissileWorks Rocketry electronics
Public Missiles Lots of rocket kits of various sizes, and construction materials, recovery equipment.
Quest Aerospace Another company specializing in low power kits and motors. Be sure to check out their MicroMaxx products!
Rail Buttons With the new mini- and micro- sizes, there is really no excuse for using launch lugs any more
Red Arrow Hobbies Another comprehensive dealer catering to low, medium, and high-power customers.
Rocketarium Lots of low- and mid-power rocket kits
The Rocketman Excellent medium to large parachutes plus some glittery self-advertisement by Ky Michaelson
Rockets R Us Based in Florida, rocket kits and motors (mid and high-power), a variety of chemicals for motor making, adhesives, casting tubes and liners.
Rocketry Warehouse Kits and components for high power. One of the better ones on the net. Bought by Madcow Rocketry
Sirius Rocketry A Wisconsin company specializing in low-power kits and equipment.
Sunward aerospace A variety of low and mid power kits and supplies.
Sticker Shock 23 Custom Vinyl Rocketry Decals/Graphics/Logos
Tower Hobbies R/C and model rockets.
Uncle Mike’s Rocket Shack A variety of low and mid power rockets and supplies.
Wildman Rocketry Mainly a high-power dealer, good variety of hardware, building materials and recovery stuff. A source for mail-order motors and reload kits.
MAC Performance Rocketry Canvas phenolic airframes, sheets, and kits. A variety of other components and rocket supplies.

Local Hobby Stores
These are mostly Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area stores that have rocketry items, but feel free to suggest other NC stores.
Raleigh Hobby & R/C 4505 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh NC 27603 919-772-1211
Hangar 18 Hobbies 1207 D Kildare Farm Rd, Cary, NC, 27511 919-465-3353
ATA Hobbies 2887 Jones Franklin Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-961-8411
World Of RC Parts & Supplies 3569 NC Highway 42 W, Wilson, NC 27893 252-291-4088
Toy Town Hobby Shop 507 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 919-577-9007
Nick’s Trains 5201 Oak Park Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612 919-881-1010
Hobby Lobby 6200 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27616 919-981-5788 and other locations
Michaels Craft Stores Various locations, see the website

Information From Other Club Members
Mike Harris’ Rocketry Site

Rocketry Discussion Forums and News
Rocketry Forum
Ye Olde Rocket Forum
RocketReviews
Fly Rockets An introduction to the hobby
The Rocketry Show Podcasts

Frequently Asked Questions, Instructional Guides and Other Rocketry Learning
Apogee Components A low-power company with lots of instructional and educator information.
rec.models.rockets FAQ
Old Estes and Centuri Catalogs and lots of web site links
Parachute Descent Rate Calculator
Ejection Charge Calculator
Build a PVC Stand for your Rockets
Model Rocket Maintenance and Technology An encyclopedic site mainly geared for the science educator who would like to use model rockets to emphasize STEM topics for younger students.

Websites for Businesses Related to EX Motor Making
Aerocon An odd and quirky site, founded by Bill Colburn. Lots of fascinating stuff, much that you will not see anyplace else, including a great selection of rocket books, Unistrut rail buttons, and Flippi-fins.
Firefox a pyrotechnics supply company that carries a lot of chemicals and materials useful for making motors and ignitors
RCS a division of Aerotech, selling the individual components and chemicals. Especially useful for 24mm and 29mm liners and casting tubes.
Always Ready Rocketry sells Blue Tube and casting tube/motor liner sets in the 38, 43, 76, 98 and 152mm sizes. Also, double liner sets in 54, 76, and 98 mm sizes for moon-burners, c-slots, etc.
Rockets R Us Based in Florida, rocket kits and motors (mid and high-power), a variety of chemicals for motor making, adhesives, casting tubes and liners.
OnlineMetals metals of all kinds, plus a very nice reference on the properties of the different grades of aluminum.
Pyro Chem more pyro-related chemicals, oxidizers and metals

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Bayboro Launch Field

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Scott Schnegelberger

Sparky Motors: Please  note that sparky motors (Dark Matter, Siler Streak, etc.) may not be allowed at Bayboro, depending on the field conditions. If there has been a recent rain and the cut crops are wet you may be able to fly them. If it has been dry for a while they will likely be restricted. Please indicate to the RSO or Prefect if you want to fly a Sparky Motor before launch.

Between September and April, we fly model and high-power rockets at arguably the best rocket launch field on the east coast. We have over 3,800 acres of unobstructed recovery area, and a 17,500 ft FAA waiver.

The launch site is near Bayboro, NC (it’s actually in Grantsboro, NC) and is owned by John and Hoyt Paul and farmed by Clifton Paul. They all live very close to the field and we will probably see them at a launch soon.

Lots of fast food is available within 3 miles of the launch site for lunch.

A porta-pottie is available on-site.

Spectators are always welcome.

Nearby Lodging

bayboro-launch-site

Directions to the Bayboro Field

To get there, drive to New Bern, NC and cross the Neuse River on US17 North/NC55 East.? Approximately one mile after crossing the Neuse River, turn right on NC55 East. Drive 7.5 miles to the crossroads of Grantsboro (NC 55 / NC 306) and turn left onto NC 306 – there is a Bojangle’s on the left corner just before NC 306. Head north on NC306 for 1.9 miles and turn right on Paul’s Farm Road. Continue about 1 mile into the open field area and look for signs and the club trailer.

If you are coming from northeastern NC, Greenville or Little Washington, you will probably come down US17 and turn left on NC 55 East at Bridgeton.

For those of you traveling via the wonders of GPS, aim your vehicle at coordinates 35.172075 N, -76.831813 W.

Launch Equipment

We supply launch equipment, usually a bank of model rocket pads and various rod and rail launchers for high power.

We have 1/8″, 3/16″ 1/4″ and larger rods. We also have a few 8 foot 1010 rails (1″x1″) , a 1515 rail, a smaller 20mm rail, and a large Unistrut pad. Get rail buttons from Railbuttons.com, ask for the 1515, 1010 and mini size.

We strongly recommend using the rails for larger rockets.

Rocket Limitations

Launches at the Bayboro field are covered by an FAA Waiver to 17,500 ft.

Maximum altitude is 17,500 foot for commercial motors, and 14,000 foot for research motors.

Rockets are limited to FAA Class 2 (O motors and below) unless you have followed Class 3 procedures.

Launch Fees

Adult fliers pay $20/day or $30/weekend to launch, children fly free. We use this revenue to maintain our launch equipment and to pay rent to the landowner.

Recovery Field Access

We had a few people drive in areas of the field that resulted in us losing the privilege of driving on the field. We were asked nicely by one of the farmers to NOT allow ANY vehicles on the field moving forward. We owe a great respect to the landowners and farmers who are gracious enough to let us all over their land. We’d like to maintain a great/positive relationship with them and this is what’s been asked of us. If you decide to drive on the field, you’ll kindly be asked to leave the launch site and not come back. This is a ZERO tolerance rule.

Recover your rockets on foot!

Launch Safety

We follow the Tripoli Research Safety Code and the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code for launches at Bayboro.

Safety is our primary goal. To that end…

  • No smoking at the field.
  • Stay aware. Watch all flights. Be prepared to move out of the way of falling rockets.
  • If the Launch Control Officer (LCO) calls for a Heads Up flight, stand up and watch the flight.
  • If you hear an air horn, or shouts of Heads Up, look up and watch for falling parts.
  • DO NOT attempt to catch falling rockets or parts.
  • Stay behind the LCO during all flights.
  • Do not approach the launch pads unless the LCO indicates it is safe to do so.
  • Fliers: Follow the Model and High Power Rocket Safety Codes. The Range Safety Officer (RSO) has a copy.

Launch Procedure

  • Register at the RSO table before your first flight.
  • Prep your rocket for flight. We prefer that igniters be installed at the LCO table or at the pad. Any recovery electronics should be disarmed until at the pad.
  • Fill out a flight card for each flight.
  • Bring the card and rocket to the Range Safety Officer (RSO) for a safety check.
  • Bring the rocket to the Launch Control Officer (LCO) who will tell you when it is safe to load your rocket on the launch pad and which pad to use.
  • Do not approach the launch area to recover your rocket until all rockets have been launched.

Weather information and forecasts for the Bayboro Launch Field

  • USAirnet – wind speed/direction, cloud cover and other detailed weather info
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Launch Report December 17-18, 2011

Posted on December 29, 2011 by admin
Jim Livingston's Carbon High

Jim Livingston's Carbon High flying on a homemade full M made from the "Jim Scarpine Tribute Blue #4" recipe. December 17, 2011

We had a fine weekend for rocketry in Bayboro this December, although the winds were ?breezy? and the temperature in the mornings was in the upper 40?s to the lower 50?s.? Attendance was disappointing, but, given the weather predictions, understandable.? Let?s look at the motor use summary and then I?ll describe some details about a few flights. Continue reading →

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