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Model Rocketry/Questions Answered by Expert Dave Landgraf
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Pyrogen | 11/8/2010 |
| Q: My name is Rosie. I am doing a science fair project on model rocketry and I keep coming across the ... A: That's a very good question. The detailed parts of motor igniters are usually not described very ... | |
| Tracking device | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: What is the tracking device and how do you measure the altitude of a launched model rocket? A: Sorry for not finding your email sooner in my inbox, but let's see if we can answer your questions ... | |
| Rocket plane | 7/27/2010 |
| Q: I've been thinking about trying to strap a rocket to my rc plane for a long time and many people ... A: Del Porto, The whole issue of launching rockets from RC airplanes is kind of a sensitive one. Ever ... | |
| 4 in 1 rocket launch | 4/14/2010 |
| Q: My rocket has a d motor as the main with 3 c motors set up as a booster for the launch. The boosters ... A: First of all, I am going to assume that you meant to ask about using an Estes-type igniter in each ... | |
| competitions | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: My high school's rocket team competes in Team America Rocket Challenge. Do you know of another ... A: There are many forms of competition sponsored by local branches of the National Association of ... | |
| Charleston, SC Launch Sites | 3/21/2010 |
| Q: my name is Dave and I'm in the Air Force stationed in Charleston, SC. I was big into model rocketry ... A: Dave, It's always a good idea to check with local authorities to see if your town allows model ... | |
| Charleston, SC Launch Sites | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: my name is Dave and I'm in the Air Force stationed in Charleston, SC. I was big into model rocketry ... A: Let me first say quickly: Thank you for serving. The Air Force has always sorta been my favorite, ... | |
| i need help with a design | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: Dave I need your help, Ok here is the situation. My class is goin to Fredricksburg Tx. in April to ... A: Are you trying to loft a rocket (and payload) one mile high, or are you trying to create a ... | |
| rocket engines | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: Recently while cleaning out the basement I came across several unused model rocket engines that are ... A: That's an easy one! If you have stored them indoors all this time (with minimal temperature cycling, ... | |
| model rocketry | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: actually i m a student from grade 9 and i m participating in a local rocketry challenge and i have ... A: Vaishali, I am sorry to be so late in answering your question. I hope my answers are still helpful. ... | |
| pyrogen | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: What is the gauge of the estes igniter. The larger side pieces. Or What is the best gauge to use ... A: The subject of pyrogens and igniter manufacture is going to be a fun "tip-toe through the minefield" ... | |
| Wire Gauge | 11/14/2009 |
| Q: What is the gauge of the estes igniter. The larger side pieces. Or What is the best gauge to use ... A: I don't have information handy on the size of the side conductors, but the Estes-type igniters ... | |
| rocket nozzle | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: I made a rocket nozzle with PVC end cap with pop(plaster of paris) filled in for converging and ... A: Veerendra, It sounds like you have started a very ambitious experiment. I hope you are using good ... | |
| Bottle Rockets: Fin Location V. Altitude | 10/9/2009 |
| Q: How does the fin location of a bottle rocket affect the altitude of an one? ... A: Dev, I am guessing that when you say "bottle" rocket you mean the kind made from a big plastic soda ... | |
| rocket matirails | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: what are som good materials ror body tubes and fins out of commen household items? A: You can make your own body tubes from several different paper materials, and a few plastic ones. If ... | |
| rocket homemade launch pads | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: Dave, for Cub Scout pack in arlington Tx, do you have plans for making the pad and the electronic ... A: Tim, I believe there are plans for a simple launcher on the NAR (National Association of Rocketry) ... | |
| Hey | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering, where can i buy cheaper A6-4 rocket engines? I love to launch rockets but its ... A: Manufacturers of model rocket kits are usually pretty good about giving you several rocket motor ... | |
| Hey | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering, where can i buy cheaper A6-4 rocket engines? I love to launch rockets but its ... A: Everyone would like to know where to buy motors at lower cost! It is going to take a little looking ... | |
| Launch Sites in Fort Worth | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: Dave, In searching the web, I came across a post where you were looking for launch sites near Fort ... A: I am really sorry to have missed your question. I sure don't want you to feel ignored! If you live ... | |
| Model Rocketry | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: How does weight effect altitude on rockets, and can you give me sites pertaining to your answer or ... A: In general, a heavier rocket moves more slowly and does not fly as high as a lighter rocket when ... | |
| Hey | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering, where do you buy A6-4 Rocket engines? Cheaper Online its around 5.50-6.00$ Where do ... A: Alex! Prices on model rocket motors have been increasing recently in many parts of the country. ... | |
| Starter | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: hey! I'm starting model rockerty And i was looking at some rockets and stuff This is what for sure I ... A: Yes, that Astra set does look like it is a "starter special" with all the other equipment you need. ... | |
| Starter | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: hey! I'm starting model rockerty And i was looking at some rockets and stuff This is what for sure I ... A: Alex, I'm not sure that the Astra kit is anything more than just a model rocket kit. The price and ... | |
| Starter | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: hey! I'm starting model rockerty And i was looking at some rockets and stuff This is what for sure I ... A: Wow! I am impressed with your enthusiasm! You picked a great hobby, and you sure have started off ... | |
| 3-finned rockets | 6/14/2009 |
| Q: I am building a 3-finned rocket and I was wondering how to precisely install the fins so that they ... A: Before you give up on using the old "eyeball" method, you really should give it a try sometime. If ... | |
| rockets for 8yo? | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a son who is turning 8, and we are looking for a fun idea for his birthday party. Is there ... A: Wow, Melissa, you have picked one of the best parent-child hobbies you could find. You can keep it ... | |
| Igniting E-engines vs A-D engines | 4/25/2009 |
| Q: I read a response here: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Model-Rocketry-2312/E-engine-ignition.htm I ... A: You may not realize it, but you have asked sort of a "trick" question. The other answer (about ... | |
| stages vs. clustering | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: I am currently working on a model rocket competition for my honors physics class. The competition ... A: It sounds like you have a pretty fun physics class! I wish we had done some of this sort of thing ... | |
| Cluster | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a two engine cluster model in a BT-60 tube that is 34"long. I plan to launch it using a C6-7 ... A: You do not have to worry at all about over-pressurizing the BT60. Go right ahead and use a pair of ... | |
| newtons ???? force and thrust | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: i am building a prepackage rocket and it talks about lbs of thrust...and i am not been able to find ... A: If you are asking about model rocket motor thrust, most blackpowder motors (like those made by Estes ... | |
| Where to launch??? | 7/7/2008 |
| Q: Dave. I read in another e-mail that you are in Ft Worth... I am also in Ft Worth. My sons and I ... A: Noelle, and welcome to the hobby! It is getting more and more difficult to find places to launch ... | |
| sequential launch controller | 6/2/2008 |
| Q: Brian A: I will say right up front that I am not great at circuit design, and there is probably only a 50/50 ... | |
| D powered BIG rocket | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: I would like to build a BIG D12-3 powered rocket. So here is the question, how big can I go? I ... A: Your plan sounds pretty good, with just a few safety measures. I really like "low and slow" flights ... | |
| black powder | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: We have been set homework to find out what the black powder in Estes motors is made of. I have ... A: I am not trying to be a wise-guy, but the black powder in Estes motors is made of...wait for ... | |
| Locations for launches | 4/4/2008 |
| Q: I am just starting out in model rocketry with my son. I have found a source for Estes rockets and ... A: Welcome to model rocketry! You are asking a very good question. To do things in a completely ... | |
| Co2 | 3/31/2008 |
| Q: Where can i see that vid plz its for my project at school. You know the one where they punture the ... A: I am sorry but I have not seen that video. I don't know where to send you. Maybe you could try a ... | |
| COMPUTER PROGRAMS | 3/15/2008 |
| Q: HEY I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY PROGRAMS WRITTEN IN BASIC FOR MODEL ROCKETS I JUST GOT MY TRS ... A: Wow, I'm not even sure I remember what a TRS 80 even looks like! To answer your question, sorry, no, ... | |
Dave Landgraf
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I will be happy to take on questions about low-power rocketry in general, including rocket design, operating characteristics of blackpowder motors, low-power motor selection, rocket construction, aerodynamics, parachute and streamer duration competition, boost glide (and a little rocket glide), egg loft, altitude competition, and scale competition. I can help you with Barrowman stability calculations, but I am not a rocksim user. I know the basics of mid-power rocketry and small composite motors but I don't fly them much (I'd rather stretch my money by sticking with low-power). I believe I can explain many concepts in a way that just about anyone can follow (and maybe even over-explain?). I absolutely do not mind "newbie" questions one bit; the only bad question is the one you don't ask!
Experience
I have flown model rockets for some 40 years, including a few early years of NAR competition. I have been active at the local club level as well as in the NAR. I enjoy designing and developing unconventional designs (the kind of thing you look at and say "it won't fly!").
Organizations
National Association of Rocketry
Publications
Model Rocketry (magazine)
Education/Credentials
I am an aerospace engineer who has worked professionally in the field for over 30 years. I have worked often with local school, church, and scout groups to lead introductory build-n-fly sessions.
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