<div dir="ltr"><div>Tweeks,</div><div> </div><div>Thanks for posting that. </div><div> </div><div>A nice summary for folks who are just finding out about us and the world of rocketry beyond A,B,C and the mighty D engines.</div>
<div> </div><div>Keep asking questions, because sometimes I forget that not everyone has the same background. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Bob</div><div>There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.</div></div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:37 AM, Thomas Weeks <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tweeksjunk2@theweeks.org" target="_blank">tweeksjunk2@theweeks.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">After sending out the launch announcements for low/medium power or "class-1"<br>
launches, someone just asked me:<br>
<br>
> Tweeks, How do you define "medium power" rockets?<br>
<br>
Good question!<br>
(please ask such questions on the public list! :)<br>
<br>
<br>
Medium power is not an official designation, but is usually considered "larger<br>
than model" rockets, that fly on E, F or G motors, but weigh less that "high<br>
power" (class-2, or being less 3.3lbs and/or up to 125grams total of<br>
propellant). Medium power is still considered "Class-1" by the FAA (same class<br>
as model rockets) and so does not require a waiver or TRA/NAR certification to<br>
fly.<br>
<br>
But in general, "medium power" rockets use F-G size motors (or H with less<br>
than 125grams of propellant), and is a rocket weighing less than 3.3lbs.<br>
Anything MORE than that requires and FAA waiver and usually falls into the<br>
high power (or class-2) category.<br>
<br>
Here's a nice clean over view of the categories, and the implications that go<br>
with each:<br>
<a href="http://www.rocketcentral.org/" target="_blank">http://www.rocketcentral.org/</a><br>
<br>
or a more technical guide of class-1 (low and medium power) vs class-2 (high<br>
power) rockets:<br>
<a href="http://www.nar.org/cabinet/waiverinst.html" target="_blank">http://www.nar.org/cabinet/waiverinst.html</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Actually looking at class-1/medium power rockets, here's an example of one of<br>
the larger medium power rockets you can fly (just under 3.3lbs fully loaded):<br>
<a href="http://nrvr.org/pics/rocket-girl_m.JPG" target="_blank">http://nrvr.org/pics/rocket-girl_m.JPG</a><br>
<br>
It is large, but still sports model-type features:<br>
-card board tube<br>
-plastic fins<br>
-elastic shock cord<br>
-under 3 lbs<br>
<br>
Where the smallest of the "High Power" rockets will typically fly on an H,<br>
like this one:<br>
<a href="http://www.madcowrocketry.com/Super_DX3_Rocket_p/k-129.htm" target="_blank">http://www.madcowrocketry.com/Super_DX3_Rocket_p/k-129.htm</a><br>
<br>
A HP rocket may look same size as a large medium power rocket, but will<br>
typically use:<br>
-beefier construction<br>
-uses hardwood or fiberglass/G10/carbon-fiber "thru-tube" mounted fins<br>
-use tubular nylon or Kevlar shock cords<br>
-use H, I or larger motors<br>
-be heavier (over 3.3lbs loaded)<br>
<br>
<br>
Does this help a bit?<br>
<br>
For folks in our group just getting started in medium/high-power, and because<br>
we have both class-1 (model/medium power) and class-2 (high power) launches --<br>
I like to recommend investing in a rocket that can fly on both G and H motors<br>
(with either a 29mm or 38mm motor mounts). That way you can get used to flying<br>
medium power and work your way up to, and certify Level-1 with the same<br>
rocket. Here are a couple that can be flown as medium OR high power:<br>
<a href="http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_3_Kits/Hi-Tech" target="_blank">http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_3_Kits/Hi-Tech</a><br>
<a href="http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_3_Kits/Sumo" target="_blank">http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_3_Kits/Sumo</a><br>
<br>
<br>
Tweeks<br>
p.s. I'm really tired.. so if I missed anything.. plz.. one of you members pop<br>
in. :)<br>
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</blockquote></div><br></div>