AS WE CELEBRATE the 227th anniversary of our country's formal declaration of independence this coming Friday, it's always useful to review how we've evolved since then as a nation. While I'd be the last to urge anyone to forego the barbecue and beer, and other festivities that have become de rigeur in recent years, I also believe that the event is one to be commemorated, as well as simply celebrated.

This chapter is based on an actual application of an electronics bay in a 7.67" Terrier booster from my 2/5 scale Terrier Sandhawk. The bay is located between the upper and middle motor mount tube centering rings. This is an ideal location for single stage deployment and/or outboard motor ignition hardware placement. Carefully layout your wiring diagram before you begin construction -- it will help you make changes before the final process is over.

I decided to team up with Dynacom and Kosdon for a TRA Level 3 attempt at this year's LDRS XVII Launch at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. I will be building one of Dynacom's new 76mm motor mount-equipped Scorpions and will power it with one of Kosdon East's 76mm M1130 motors.

There is nothing quite as thrilling as that first certification flight, unless it is your second or third certification such as when going for your Level 2 or Level 3.  But Level 1, that first rush, is usually the one that gets its hooks in your soul as well as your wallet. Recently, Mark Willett of Texas, a member of the Austin Area Rocketry Group, enjoyed the thrill of certifying Level 1 himself, and was asked to share about his construction and flight for others to enjoy as well.

Verna and Randy DeArman, both 50, live in Pinson, Alabama, just north of Birmingham.  They both work for a local SBA lender where Verna is in charge of servicing and Randy is a sales manager and on-site inspector.  And they both enjoy the thrill of model rocketry and share their excitement with others through the model rocketry web site, VernaRockets.com. To them, model rocketry is a family affair.

San Francisco is a beautiful city of much renown but to a rocket-head, there is only one weekend destination to see: SF-88, the historic Nike Missile Site. Located in the Marin Headlands near Fort Barry, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful bay that it spans, SF-88 is nestled in the hills facing the ocean where it enjoys a wide-angled view of any unforeseen danger to the city.