A new day...I hope

I have started the slow process of cleaning up my work area and now hope to have space to actually build something!

The back is still weak. Driving long distances, like more than 50 or 60 miles, is torture. I have been working hard to increase the strength and endurance but some days it just doesn't seem to help. I should have bought stock in the companies that make ibuprophin, at least that way I would see some return on what I am spending on the pain killer.

I finally loaded up the computer this morning and started downloading almost a months worth of messages. It will take me a week to wade through it all. I did catch most of the threads on the ATF rule making post. Welcome to Amerika, land of the paranoid.

Finally getting back to the business of rockets

Now that the surgery is behind me and recovery is going forward, I am beginning to think rockets again.

This weekend I plan to put together a couple of saucers I got from Art Applewhite some time ago. I have this niffty little circle cutter that should make cutting out the parts much easier and the final product easier on the eyes.

I talked to Bill from Earl's Rocketry this week and plan to get with him on building the electronics bay for the Excel and Stealth. I plan on this one being a single altimeter mount with a charge safing switch. I am just not quite sure how I want to mount it in the bay.

I also want to finallize plans for May. FITS and the first OROC launch are not conflicting but I don't think I can attend both. So I have to decide which would be a better choice to start the flying season. I am hoping to have both the Excel and the Stealth ready for their maiden flights by then and the budget just won't stretch that far.

Such a dilemma, one lauch or two...

Starting to get back into it...

I worked on changes in the format of some of the rocket pages just to get into the habit of updating the site more often.

I still haven't gotten over to Mike Fisher's to pick up the fins for the Stealth and Excel. In fact, other than work, I haven't really gotten out of the house for anything. I haven't even been down to the stables in over a week.

December seems so far away...

Missed the Last Launch of the Year at Brothers

The back reared up and kicked me hard last week (still kicking today). There was no way I was going to get through the drive up and back. I chose to stay home rather than drive and spend the weekend in pain.

I am already having withdrawl pains!

Lots to keep me busy until May. The Excel and Stealth are ready to assemble, the Velociraptor is hanging on the wall just begging to be built and I have 50 or 60 model rocket kits sitting on the shelves.

I will have the surgery on my back in December so there is lots of time to heal before I head back out to the desert.

Mikki was really disappointed but settled for a couple of days riding. She is pushing me for a launch at the park or out at the alternate Sheridan site. If we get a dry weekend, she may get her wish.

Building again, at last!

Actually got some time to work on rockets this weekend.

I finished the motor section coupler for the Excel, built the motor mount for the Stealth, mangled the fins on the Excel (again!) and one on the Stealth. Finally got the hang of it and finished the other 3 fins for the Stealth and they look pretty good, at least for my work.

I emailed Mike Fisher at Binder Designs to order replacement fins but I still haven't heard from him.

Still lots to do over the next two weeks to get both ready for the October Brothers launch.

Now if school will just stay out of the way for a few days!

Slow times

It has been a slow summer for rockets this year. As I get closer to completing my masters, the classes have taken more and more of my time. The good thing is I am finished on the 17th of October and can get back to normal.

The Sheridan launch is coming up this weekend and I have a couple of kits I want to get done this week. It will be hard with all the work for class, work and the family taking their share of my time.

We still haven't made the decision on taking the trailer and staying at the launch site. I am waiting to hear who will be going and camping before I make the call.

New Sig Line????

"My country right or wrong; when right, to keep her right; when wrong, to put her right." - Carl Schurz