Charles,<br><br>Good questions. I'll tell you what I know.<br><br>1) Local as in within 50 miles of Blacksburg - no. There are many reputable vendors out there. I have used Wildman and Wildman Virginia (Kevin Dunn). I try to support Kevin since he has come to our last 2 launches at Kentland Farm. Order ahead of time and he will bring stuff to our launch if he is coming. <br>
<br>2) Other options are from vendors on the internet. I don't know of any vendors that have a bad reputation. I have user Red Arrow hobbies, Wildman, Performance Hobbies, Apogee, all with excellent results.<br><br>3) Harry at Dragons Hoarde gives 10% off VAST members and has been to some launches at Kentland. I think if you order ahead of time and can coordinate with Chuck or someone else coming down from that area they can bring your stuff. I am not sure if either Harry or Kevin will be coming to the Sept launch, but Kevin was interested in coming. The dates are still TBD, based on crops, and I suppose on fire danger.<br>
<br>4) I have never been able to purchase 4f BP locally in Florida, North Carolina or Virginia. There was a time when dealers like Performance Hobbies have carried it. I bought 1 pound of 4f that lasted me about 10 years. Dealers both in firearms and rocketry, have gotten very skittish about selling black powder and most don't even carry it. Technically you must own an antique firearm to purchase BP, as that is the only 'legal' use for it in 3 or 4f. I've thought of buying a BP pistol just for that reason, but I'm still not sure if I can buy BP in any of the sporting good stores.<br>
<br>A while ago someone posted a link for buying black powder online with a minimum 5 pound purchase. I'll have to look up that reference.I have a can of 3f but never used it. I don't think the burn rate will be that noticeable, but the larger particles will burn longer. My main concern would be to make sure I have good wadding and nomex protection so that I don't have any still burning BP particles getting close to my nylon parachute. There are people who use Pyrodex, but I am not familiar with it's use or properties so I stick with BP. We will make sure you have some if you need it until you can secure some.<br>
<br>Regards,<br><br>Bob <br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jun 29, 2012 at 3:01 PM, Charles Albright <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:calbright@radiantse.com" target="_blank">calbright@radiantse.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Good day to everyone.<br>
<br>
I'm doing some planning for a Level 2 certification attempt I hope to make<br>
this fall. I have a few questions.<br>
<br>
1. Is there a local retail source for Aerotech RMS motor hardware and reload<br>
kits? (I expect the answer is "no")<br>
<br>
2. I'm aware of a number of Internet sources for the above. Any<br>
recommendations?<br>
<br>
3. I'm also aware of The Dragon's Hoard store (in Staunton, VA) which has a<br>
discount relationship with VAST members. But what are the logistics of<br>
getting motors from there to here?<br>
<br>
4. For ejection charge purposes, can black powder (4F, I presume) be<br>
purchased here locally? If not, then where? Are there any regulatory<br>
problems to overcome? Are there reliable alternatives to 4F black powder?<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Charley<br>
<br>
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</blockquote></div><br>