Just thought I'd post something directly about rocketry, and a couple other folks have described their approach to NAR Level 1. Here's my plan...
I've acquired my Skyripper H hybrid motor and most of the pieces of GSE... I've learned a lot about some very obscure (and hard to find) gas fittings. All the rocket pieces and materials are on order, and I finally bit the bullet and ordered a flight computer-- I settled on the G-Wiz LC 400. I like the accelerometer-based apogee detection, and the power output (supports two batteries).
The rocket will be an overstable 4" x 72" (+/-) scratch built, G10 fins (hopefully... I've gotten some tips from my cousin the machinist on cutting and handling the stuff, and think I can pull it off. If not, plywood). Dual deployment, ejection at apogee (drogueless -- 25' 9/16" tubular recovery harness), a 54" x-form chute at 400'. Weight right around 5.5 lbs. If final ground testing supports what I've found so far, I'll be introducing a variation on main chute deployment, mostly applicable to hybrids. Of course, none of it matters until the bird is flown and back in hand, undamaged, but damn am I having fun planning. Complexity means failure points, and I've always loved dancing with Murphy.
Barring the unforseen, at our Section's June launch I plan for a 1000' L1 certification flight on an H155 load, top speed of about 170mph. I took the suggestion "low and slow" quite seriously.
Kevin OClassen NAR 13578