When you are first getting into high power rocketry, finding detailed information on some subjects is downright impossible. When I started into high power, I was lucky enough to have friends nearby that could walk me through the process. Hopefully, this series will help you as well.

The last monthly launch of the Superstition Spacemodeling Society for 1999, held Saturday, December 11th, was a truly remarkable event. Not so much because there was a huge turnout, or a large number of people certified, but rather because of the Arizona debut of a brand new product from AeroTech Consumer Aerospace: the new BlackMax Econojet motor.

THE TIME HAS COME for every individual in the hobby rocketry realm to step up and face the music. The future of our hobby is under attack and its time we did something about it. In an era of widespread apathetic constituencies, we need to have the intestinal fortitude to show the regulatory agencies that we expect some sort of cooperation in our requests. If any of you require a dose of spinal Viagra, just email me with a prescription request.

The original Estes Mars Lander was always one of Jeff Brudt's all time favorite kits. He remembers when he was 11 years old and seeing one at a local hobby shop.  He had to have it but at that time $9.95 was a lot of money to spend, so he got a job doing yard work for a neighbor and saved to buy it. When it came time build an upscale project, he knew just what to build.

AFTER READING Brett Keller’s “YOUth Really Can Make a Difference,” I started thinking. Thinking about the decline in youth activity in rockets. It has been found that the average age of “rocketeers” is around 40. This shocked me. I know there are those in the hobby of rockets that are 60-80 and that is fine -- it is just that when you think about it, there are a lot of them, more than teens.

Public Missiles is now offering the new Quantum body tubes in several of their kits. The tubes are gray in color and made from a special blended polymer. PML claims you can drop it, squeeze it, even throw it, without damage. We shall see. They also claim most epoxies and paint will work just fine on the new tubes.

IN THE HIS OPINION ARTICLE "YOUth Can Make a Difference!" (Sept 13, 1999), Brett Keller made a very profound statement. He wrote: "I'm not a member of any of the big national organizations, because they can offer very little to me until I turn 18 (in just under 3 years). Sure, I'll get the nifty magazine, but I can order that separately. Other than certification and supporting clubs I don't see that they are doing anything. Not that I am anti-NAR or anti-TRA, so don't take me wrong. It's just like one of the chatters said; 'the youth of today want something substantial, more bang for the buck'."

Getting a nice, straight boost of your high power rocket has generally meant one thing in the past — use a rail launcher. Unfortunately, it also meant that you were going to be building your own, since there were no commercial units available. Consider that past history, because blacksky has released what is sure to be a definite hit for many clubs and individuals looking to utilize the accuracy of rail launching — their blacksky Standard Rail and High Power Rail.