As I was browsing on the Internet I found an awesome looking rocket, the Rocketman Space Hawk. About a week after ordering, the box containing my kit came packed well and without any damage. Upon opening the box I realized this was one quality kit. It contains PML body tubes, Rocketman R4C chute, G-10 fiberglass fins, and heavy-duty strap nylon with hardware.

It was my 14th birthday — my birthday present was a mid-power starter set. My dad and I headed down to the hobby shop to browse the selections. This particular shop had two choices. The NCR Phantom 4000 set and the Aerotech Initiator set. We looked at each and chose the AT Initiator, not only was it a good value, but it looked like a nice kit and came with two engines.

With my level-3 certification attempt looming, one detail of the launch (the rod or rail) had not been finalized. When I became aware of the new Xtreme Rail by Payload Specilities, the decision to purchase the heavy duty system was an easy one.

Level 3 projects pose a multitude of challenges. The airframe, motor and retention, shock cords and related hardware, CP and CG, electronics, and at the top of the list, the parachutes. In the early stages of my planning, I ordered a large surplus fifteen-foot diameter parachute, one of those white ones.

The other day, I forwarded Darrell some information about Pr'fessor Terry McCreary's recently self-published book "Experimental Composite Propellant." To be honest, I thought I had talked about the book enough in the forums, etc., but that it might be of value posting the information about procurement and a description where everyone could see it for awhile.

The Pratt SureFire 12 is a relay-based launch controller. The SureFire 12 has been recently replaced by a new version, the Sure Fire II. However, most characteristics of the new system are the same as the original system. The reviewed SureFire 12 has been used for over a year, and has been used to ignite motors from Micro-Maxx to K700.

Yank Enterprises and flexible phenolic are both relatively new to high power rocketry. Yank has introduced several new three-inch and four-inch high power rocket kits all featuring flexible phenolic airframes. I chose the three-inch exact scale IRIS kit for this evaluation.