| | [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #602: | | 
In this issue of the newsletter, we're getting back to the basics, covering how to get started in model rocketry. We have a lot of great articles and resources for beginners on our site already - this article will tie it all together to be a great resource for newcomers. And if you are already an expert, this may be a great link to share with the friends you want to introduce to the hobby! Also in this issue: Two decal schemes for a 4th of July rocket! The Independence Day holiday is fast approaching. If you're looking for a kit that you can build quickly so you can celebrate with a launch, we recommend the Wayfarer rocket. But to give it that patriotic feel, we have two decal schemes to choose from that you can print out and apply to the rocket. In fact, why not build two and have a drag race to the sky? Your rockets will be the hit of the day, long before the fireworks begin. | | Read the rest of this week's article, either on a downloadable PDF for printing out, or on our website (great for viewing on your phone)! Previous issues of our newsletter are found at our archive page. |
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| Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! | Aerotech J615 Aerospike Nozzle Motor | | 
The new Aerotech J615 reload motor is the first model rocket motor using an aerospike nozzle! The primary advantage of an aerospike nozzle is its ability to maintain high efficiency at varying altitudes. Aerospike engines are the baseline engines for many single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) designs. This new motor also features the "super thunder" propellant formulation, and comes with an adjustable delay grain. Be the first in your club to get this historic high-power rocket motor.
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| Simple Timer For Staging | | 
The new Simple Timer from Apogee Components controls ignition of upper stages by setting a time from liftoff when the air-started motor should ignite. Its built-in logic prevents ignition of the upper stage if the rocket goes unstable or is tilted more than 45° from vertical at the time of ignition. This new version of the device now includes an apogee deployment channel for extra safety, so you don't need a separate altimeter in the rocket. If you want to stage high power rockets, this is what you need. It is also great for high-drag rockets (like spools and pyramids shapes) that need a quick ejection at apogee.
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| North Coast's Argo D4 Javelin | | 
North Coast Rocketry has released a 1/17th scale version of Argo D4 Javelin. The real rocket that this is based on was a four stage beast which consisted of an Honest John military rocket as the first stage, topped by two surplus Nike booster motors in tandem, and finally an Altair X-248 top-most stage (that did not have fins), which was adapted from the Vanguard program. But this model rocket kit is much simpler, just a single stage using a high-thrust 24mm diameter motor. It is a beautiful model that is sure to make all your rocketry friends very jealous.
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| Apogee Kestrel Rocket Kit | | 
Apogee's Kestrel is a medium-size, high-flying bird that comes with a large 29mm diameter motor mount. Besides a large payload bay, it has curved swept fins and a drag reducing boattail to give it sleek aerodynamic properties. With the right size engine, you can push this bird to supersonic speeds. But the new 29mm motors (see below) will also give this rocket a pleasant, soaring flight. It also comes with a 24mm motor adapter, so you can even fly it on a low power C11 motor from a small launch field. Get one or two today!
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| E24C and F67C Aerotech Motors | | 
Aerotech has released two new 29mm diameter rocket motors, the: E24C and the F67C. They both feature the "classic propellant formulation," which mimics the sight and sound of the original 1970's composite motors from Enerjet. This no-smoke propellant type has a translucent exhaust plume studded with visible supersonic shock diamonds. They come in the following delays: E24C-4, E24C-7, E24C-10 and F67C-6, F67C-9 and F67C-14. These motors will fly off our shelves as fast as they make your rocket zoom through the sky, so you better get them soon.
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Summer Camp Launch I was hiking a mountain trail overlooking the Air Force Academy here in Colorado Springs on Monday, and noticed that the soccer fields were filled with kids at their sport camps. I was seeing how beautiful the fields were, and supposed that they could be used for model rockets too. This is a great use for the Launch Visualizer, as you could use it to see if your particular summer camp athletic field could support model rockets. Here is a simulation of the Wayfarer rocket kit on a C6-5 from the middle of one of the soccer fields. Plenty of room for this configuration. What size rocket do you think this field could support? 
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| Customer Testimonials: “I'm based in Australia and get great service from these guys, plus they have a very wide range of product that is generally not available in Australia. I can get everything I need from one place which reduces shipping costs. Delivery time is most influenced by Australian domestic services, the time from U.S. to Aust. is nearly always less than the Aust. domestic shipping time. The biggest irritation is not being able to ship motors due to transport and Aust. import restrictions. Even better is that the people who own/run the shop are actively involved in building and launching their own rockets so they know what works and what doesn't. The product and building guides are first rate and extremely helpful. This is the perfect place for all levels of experience - from total newbie to experienced builders wanting 100,000 ft performance.” -- Richard Luck | |
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 I'm now actively seeking writers for articles to appear in this newsletter. And I want unique and cutting-edge articles because that is what you want to read, right? I realize this, so to get articles from outside writers that have the same level of quality, I'm going to have to pay a lot of cash to make it worth it for them. So I've come up with a compensation package where I'll pay up to $350 for good how-to articles. Are you a writer, and does that interest you? That is a lot of cash! Far more than you'll get by writing for other magazines. And with over 23,000 worldwide subscribers, if you write for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, you'll gain a lot of notoriety. Writing for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is a great way to show off your rocketry projects and your technical expertise, at the same time as helping out other rocketeers. Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that you made a difference to the hobby. If you're interested in writing, see the guidelines on our site. | |
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