Rocketry Planet

WORLD WIDE WEB -- Dr. Terry "P'rfesser" McCreary has submitted his nomination to the Tripoli Rocketry Association as a candidate for the 2002 election to the Board of Directors.

"I had to think about it long and hard, and I talked to a lot of people who I trusted and whose views I respected, before making this decision" he said.

Dr. McCreary is an associate professor of chemistry at Murray State University in Kentucky. He has been flying high-power for seven years, and is perhaps best-known as the author of "Experimental Composite Propellant", on making APCP and motor design and testing.

His position statement follows:

Terry McCreary, TRA #4096

Hello, I'm Terry McCreary, also known as "P'rfesser". That's pronounced with a redneck accent... I want to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the Board of Directors of the Tripoli Rocketry Association.

In 1965 a ten-year old kid got starry-eyed when he received an Electro-launch and an Astron Streak. Like many of you, I left rocketry after a few years then came back as an adult. I've been a TRA member flying high-power for seven years now, am currently certified Level 2, and my Level 3 project (12" dia, 11' tall) is under construction for certification later this year. I'm an advocate of experimental rocketry, and have contributed to this aspect of rocketry by authoring the book "Experimental Composite Propellant", which has sold to a number of folks across the world and is even starting to appear in libraries.

Real-life stuff: BS in chemistry from St. Francis College in PA, MS from U. Ga. I started teaching chemistry at Cumberland College in 1979, left in 1985 to get the Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, and have been teaching undergraduate and graduate chemistry and directing research at Murray State University since 1988. During my tenure I've received grants from the university to support propellant research. My students and I have presented the results of that research at Kentucky Academy of Science meetings. An 18-month project as contributing author for a new edition of a popular college chemistry textbook has just wound up. I'm a member of the American Chemical Society, AIAA, Pyrotechnic Guild International, and NAR. That gorgeous young lady in the picture is Geniece, my wife of almost 22 years. The two gorgeous younger ladies are Corinne (13) and Yvette (10).

I love science, I love rocketry, and I love being around rocketeers, talking to them and listening to them. The greatest asset that TRA has is its membership; from the newbie that struggles to assemble that first H-reload correctly, to the aeronautical engineers looking for new amateur horizons, we have a common bond and common goals. I'm running for the board because I want to help and serve that membership by being your voice in the operations of TRA.

Based on what I've heard from the members I know, there are several issues that should be addressed by the membership. The foremost need in TRA seems to be open, clear, rapid communication. An electronic mailing list solely for TRA members would be easy to implement, would foster communication, and could easily be used by virtually every member - even those that don't own a computer. As a board member I would of course be on the list and would provide information at my disposal to the membership.

I am certainly willing to consider changes in the motor certification process within the existing laws and regulations. If the membership wishes to change the certification process, they need be informed as fully as possible by the TRA BoD of the probable consequences of such changes, and have the proposed changes in their final form ratified by the membership.

I support the broadest possible selection of magazine subscriptions for the TRA membership to choose from as part of their membership package. That is, if the membership wishes to have a choice of HPR, ER, Sport Rocketry, or any combination of those (or other magazines) to accompany membership, those wishes should be followed. Choice is what makes this country great.

Most important: our election turnouts have been rather low in the last few years. Clearly, there are TRA members that are apathetic or feel uneasy about voicing their opinions. For my part, TRA members will always be trusted, and their opinions will always be entertained seriously and with respect. I ask for your vote of support in the 2002 TRA BoD elections.