A newbie question . . . for the new path I am taking

Tom the Canuck · 2006-01-27T02:31:34+00:00

Yup, I am new to what I plan to do, but I have played withrockets (pre-fab kits) that were just 'follow the instructions'and be a moron, but your rocket will fly.I want to get away from that. I plan on rolling my own rocketengines and using homemade black powder for the propellant.I will start small and make solid core engines. Cored engines willcome later.The fuel is not a problem. I just need to know the theory and ratiosto make a stick stabilized engine fly. You know, take engine, attachstick, light fuse, see rocket fly type of thing. I know the center ofgravity should be above the center of thrust.So for a given size and weight of engine, how long should the stick be?I assume that the density of the stick has a factor in determining itslength.There has to be a 'rule of thumb' to use as a guide. Hey, this is a firststep,better rockets are in the future. Let me just get the engines right first.Please do not reply to this post with "glue part A to part B, then glue A+Bto part C".What if I want to change a proven design by reducing it or making it biggerin size?Maybe I want to make a 1" rocket or make a 5' rocket. There must besomething in common that applies to both sizes. Feel free to blast me if youwant.I am sure that this information exists somewhere. Include a link with thereply perhaps?Tom the Canuck.