It's been six months in the making, but it looks like it will finally be ready for the April launch!

After my first attempt failed, I built the ultimate overkill level-1 rocket. I started with a 1/4-scale patriot from PML, and somehow ended up changing everything but the nose cone. It's got a fiberglassed phenolic airframe (anti-zipper / no piston), 1/8" G10 fiberglass fins and rings, a 54mm motor mount, home-sewn rip-stop nylon parachute, delrin railbuttons, kevlar cord with home-stitched nomex protectors, and a backup ejection system with a home-built circuit that doubles as a beeper.

The backup ejection system was tested in a park. It's an acceleration activated timer that ignites 2-3 grams of black powder via a flashbulb. The parachute will be tested as soon as my girlfriend finishes sewing the gores together.

Hopefully it all works on launch day, but either way it was a huge learning experience. After this one, I don't see a need to buy kits anymore --I end up changing everything anyway.

My level-1 attempt was successful! I want to thank everyone who helped make this happen, particularly Dean Roth for witnessing and signing, Tim Lehr for providing the I211W motor, and my girlfriend for sewing an awesome parachute.

We had a lot of fun building this rocket and testing it at Bong. A lot was learned, and we'll probably add a section to my website with photos and lessons learned. Then we can start thinking about level 2.

Where did you buy your motor for your level 1 flight?

Tim Lehr (a.k.a Wildman)