Rocketry Planet

This premiere Website Review feature segment is on Frank Burke's Rocketry Webpage. At age 30, Frank is an Electrical Design Engineer for Intel. He has been re-involved in rocketry for the last five years. In his own words, he re-tells the story of his youthful adventures:

DM: When were you first introduced to rocketry and for how long?

FB: "I got started around age 7 through my brother. I remember wearing out the Centuri Catalog from all the time spent looking at it. My brother was a perfectionist, using around 10 coats of sanding sealer, and titebond glue. I didn't have his patience, but even doing half of what he did got better results than most people."

"I built a lot of rockets, but only flew a few with the local Boeing club. My dad had to pass a class to be able to buy motors for me, and we didn't get out much to launch. My favorites were the Centuri Nike Smoke, MX744 and Groove Tube. Centuri just seemed to have cooler kits, and better parts than Estes, and I remember the wait to get stuff in the mail."

"I lost interest when RC airplanes came along, and I could go out and fly them myself, around age 15."

"In 1991 while my wife was on a trip to France, I ran across the Quest Nike smoke, and since it was an old favorite, and so cheap, compared to when I was a kid, I bought one, and a starter set. We had lots of fun, and lost the starter rocket on the roof of a school. I picked up a Little Joe II, and an Estes Space Shuttle, and built them while she was gone. The Space Shuttle flew really well, and I was hooked. I then built the Holy Grail, the Saturn V, which I could now afford. It was early in my BAR life, but was one of the best rockets I have built and finished."

"I went on a rampage of building, eventually discovered High Power Rocketry magazine, and called the local prefect. He helped me with high power questions, and it was good timing, since I was getting bored with D motors as the highest you could go."

"I certified with a Thoy Phoenix, and four months later had finished my LOC V-2 and flown my first J motor. It's only gotten better since."

Frank is a member of both the Tripoli Rocketry Association and the National Association of Rocketry. In fact, Frank is somewhat of a celebrity in his parts, having made the cover of High Power Rocketry with his V-2! He currently flies with the Boeing Employees Model rocket club, the local Tripoli chapter, and OREO, the Oregon Rocketry Enthusiasts Organization. His preference in the hobby is low through high power, stating that he just hasn't had enough time to look into experimental rocketry.

On his website, you'll find some excellent reviews of a variety of rocket kits along with photos and text files explaining modifications he made during construction. When asked about specifics, Frank states that his favorite rocket is the Bomarc, his favorite motor is the AeroTech H-128 and his favorite kit is the Estes Saturn V. Obviously, that Saturn V is a special memory for Frank, as evidenced by the answer to my question:

DM: Frank, what are your favorite memories of hobby rocketry?

FB: "Seeing my Saturn V take to the skies, and recover at the last minute with one chute, no damage, My LOC V-2 flying on a J-415, and seeing my V-1 Buzz Bomb fly in a stable fashion, oh, and I can't forget my Kosdon K-1000 flights."

DM: Any advice you'd like to share with beginners to the hobby?

FB: "Be patient during finishing, use plenty of shock cord, and take your time during flight preparation, oh, and don't be tempted to fly if conditions aren't good, you'll be sorry."

We finally got around to discussing his website, which is the reason for this review. My specific questions to him were:

DM: What are your expectations for your webpage?

FB: "I hope to provide some motivation for people to try unique things, set a good example, and hopefully make contact with other people interested in the things I am. In the reviews, I hope to help people avoid mistakes or problems with the kits, and/or let them know when an item is good so they are encouraged to try it, where they otherwise might not."

DM: Frank, what do you think makes your web page unique?

FB: "Lots of different scale models and photos, both in large scale, and low power sizes, and lots of kit reviews."

DM: Any planned expansions of your web page?

FB: "It is my old University Research group page, and they have been nice enough to let
me mirror my Firewalled Intel Page so far. I have to be careful how much disk space I use, so I don't become a burden. I'll keep posting new things I work on, or review."

DM: What would you like to see available on the Internet for all rocketry enthusiasts?

FB: "I would like to see more online catalogs, and ordering capability. There are lots of places that have price listings, but it would also be nice to see photos. I was trying to show a friend what the Estes Sweet Vee looked like, but I couldn't find any photos on-line."

There you have it. Vendors, in particular, take notice of Frank's last comments — if we can't see it, you can't sell it. Drop by Frank's site and look around. I think you'll be glad you did.

http://www.rocketryplanet.com/misha.ee.washington.edu/~burkefj/sub/rocketpage.html