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Post by C.Calvin on May 13, 2009 18:47:00 GMT -5
I’ll be the first to welcome you to Michigan Apogee. Michigan Apogee is a public resource for model rocketry enthusiasts. Though our name states “Michigan Apogee” it by no means restricts itself to those whom live within our wonderful boarders. Everyone is welcome, for 2 brains are better then 1… 4 are better then 2… and a thousand is better then 100. Get the point? This is a forum for you, someone who loves model rocketry. I’ve created this thread with an intention of it being the forever growing thread of introductions. So please make it your first post and tell us a little about yourself. I will start.
Hi,
My name is Charles, or C.Calvin; I’m 26 years old and live in Brighton, Michigan. I work for “the BIG cable company” as a Communications Technician, I enjoy model rockets (obviously), computer games, and building stuff. I’ve been fiddling with model rockets on and off since I was a kid but only got seriously about it around July of 2008. I’m currently working on two projects a boost glider of my own design and a camera rocket from the plans described in the book: 50 Model Rocket Projects for the Evil Genius. I’ve really only working with low powered rockets before I am now just getting into mid power. I’m also interested in joining / forming a local model rocketry club. Looking forward to posting!
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Post by meggachu on May 13, 2009 19:44:23 GMT -5
Hello! My name is Meghann, and I am very new into Rockets and all that jazz. I enjoy launching rockets, and watching them get built. I have yet to build one, but I have designed quite a few.  I live in Brighton, MI and work in the medical field. However, if you injure yourself playing with rockets, don't come to me!!! ;D |
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Post by boadwayr on May 13, 2009 20:56:03 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I am Randy Boadway and have been playing around with rockets for many years now. Charles, you have one of the best NAR sections in your area called HUVARS. You should get to know those guys.
Meghann, I understand that super glue can be a great medical tool. Most rocketeers have it in their range box. So if someone gets hurt send em to me!
I am part of SMASH in West Michigan, tonight we had an outreach to the community at the Kalamazoo 10 Theater. We had a nice display and talked to a few hundred people about rocketry. There may even have been some Klingons in the group of patrons, not quite sure if those were costumes or not.
See ya,
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Post by motorace on May 14, 2009 3:16:53 GMT -5
Charles, you have one of the best NAR sections in your area called HUVARS. You should get to know those guys. Randy - Thanks for the plug for HUVARS! Charles & Meghann - You do not know how lucky you are living in Brighton... you are just minutes away from a great model rocketry club (HUVARS). We have members that make really long drives (from Flint, Downriver, & even Canada) to attend, so you are fortunate to be so close. HUVARS meets monthly in Hamburg, just south of Brighton, and only a few miles west of US-23 off the M-36 exit. Directions are available on the website (www.HUVARS.org) or call me at (248-437-5528) for detailed driving directions. We make it a practice to build something at every meeting and the conversations are stimulating because we have members whose careers range from a Detroit Science Center educator to a U of M Physics professor, to a world-famous author of rocketry books... but do not be intimidated by the credentials - the emphasis is on having fun with rocketry. You'll also find that you'll get good deals on kits and rocketry-related parts through various club members who offer discounts within the club. We'd love to have you join us. Meeting dates alternate between the 3rd Wednesday and the 3rd Thursday of each month, so send an email to huvars@umich.edu today and ask to be added to the email list so that you'll get meeting reminders and stay informed about upcoming opportunities to fly with us. Hope to see you soon! Dan Eastwood |
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Post by C.Calvin on May 14, 2009 5:18:33 GMT -5
Great to have you guys along for the ride! Both HUVARS and SMASH are not new to me; I’ve been drooling over both of your clubs websites for quite a while.
Dan - I will for sure look into section HUVARS, like I stated above I am really interested in joining a local club and Hamburg is local that’s for sure. I live right off Old 23 and Grand River so M36 and US23 is just a hop, skip and a jump away. In fact a few years back I used to work for a tier 3 auto supplier named Tribar Manufacturing who was located off M36 in Whitmore Lake and my wife’s aunt lives in Hamburg so I am pretty familiar in the area.
Randy - sounds like you guys were pretty busy last night! I’ve found even through work casually mentioning rocketry can really turn into an awesome and log discussion. Because of my job I am invited into people’s homes everyday and you would never believe how many basements I go into and find model rockets collecting dust, immediately I bring up the subject and it then turns into a long discussion… and then I work overtime.
Please forward these forums to your club members, I know there are already developed rocketry forums out there on the web with tons of information and people to help out. Some day that’s what I hope this to be but with a little bit of a more local and personable feeling to it.
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Post by sandman on May 14, 2009 9:10:18 GMT -5
sandman here. I'm also a HUVARS menber. What the heck we may as well all join! Been building and flying rockets since the late 1950's...a long time I own and run Roachwerks Custom Machining for custom nose cone, tail cones, transitions and anything else you may need turned round on a lathe. roachwerksmachining.com.istemp.com/I also just acquired Excelsior Rocketry and hope to have custom decals up and running soon. roachwerksmachining.com.istemp.com/Gordy Agnello |
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Post by rubbnsmoke on May 14, 2009 11:14:47 GMT -5
Charles and Meghann, while HUVARS is very close to you, check out JMRC ( Jackson Model Rocketry Club ), we fly in Jackson, we have two great launch sites. #1 is at M.I.S. (Michigan International Speedway) where we have a 5000' waiver. #2 is Gumbert's field where we have a standing 9000' waiver. I invite both of you to come out to one of our launches, I promise that you won't find a more knowledgable or helpful group of fliers anywhere. We have monthly launches (weather permitting of course), our next launch will be at M.I.S. on June 20th. There's always many impressive flights(lots of I's and J's flown with a few Hybrids thrown into the mix). It is a long drive, especially for me, I live in Roseville, but it's well worth it.
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Post by Jim Fustini on May 14, 2009 11:27:24 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
My name is Jim Fustini. I am also a member of HUVARS.
And also JMRC. I look forward to using this forum. It should be fun.
I am a NAR and Tripoli member cert level 1.
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Post by rubbnsmoke on May 14, 2009 11:33:23 GMT -5
Charles, it's good to hear that you want to start a local NAR setion, I've been working on getting a section going myself. I've been in contact with FSDO in Ann Arbor, Selfridge ANG Base ect... Teh main reason I've been in contact with Selfridge is because the sod farm (24 & North Ave.)I have in mind for a flying field is right on the edge of their airspace, which has turned out to be a real headache. The hoops I've been jumping thru to get this thing together. As soon as I get all the wrinkles ironed out and get the OK's from all the appropriate agencies I'll make the formal announcement of the forming of a new NAR section. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated as I've been doing everything on my own and I really need help with getting the required equipment together. So I guess what I'm saying is as long as we've both got the intentions to start a new NAR section why don't we combine our efforts and get a club officially launched?
Mike
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Post by C.Calvin on May 14, 2009 15:24:45 GMT -5
Sandman - Welcome to Michigan Apogee! I hope we can benefit each other, you to us by providing great custom parts and decals and we you by being an extension of your advertising. This gives me an idea, maybe I’ll add a board for vendors where you guys can post links to your websites and announce special deals etc.
Rubbnsmoke – We should talk check your PM inbox.
Jim – Welcome to Michigan Apogee, I hope your experience here will be fun and helpful. With the help from serious rocketeers like you I hope these forums will grow rapidly and become a source of knowledge for everyone.
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Post by nettwetter on May 16, 2009 12:17:35 GMT -5
Hello everybody, My name is Tom Roland. I am the president of Muskegon Michigan Area Rockrtry, MMAR NAR section #702. Our home field is the Muskegon Wastewater Facility. The website can be found//www.mmarocket.com For those that are wondering we will be flying a 15,000 foot waiver at least once a month all summer long. If anyone wants to send me an e-mail address I will send out a forum invite. Fly em straight and fly em high.
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Post by C.Calvin on May 17, 2009 7:12:39 GMT -5
Welcome to Michigan Apogee Tom. I think we have all four Michigan sections that are listed on NAR here. These forums could be used as a good tool for the four sections to communicate to one another. Hopefully over time we can grow Michigan's interest in Model Rocketry. Judging from the photos on your website it looks like MMAR has a supreme launch facility, and 15,000 feet... wowzers!
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Post by nettwetter on May 17, 2009 10:36:22 GMT -5
Charles, I have been milling around checking things out. One question I have is on the calander. As all four of the sections listed do we have a way to post our functions and events on that calander. If so What do we need to do to post. I would like to have all of our launches listed. I'm a rocket junkie. I do something almost every weekend. Like take for instance next weekend. (MAY 23) Alot of people will go to NSL over in Wisconsin. This year a lot of people can't go. It's a choice between NSL and LDRS. For those not going to NSL we will have a launch at Muskegon hosted by MMAR. Miller Motor Works will be the vender for the motors, and we hope to supply everyone not going to NSL with a rocket fixx. TOM ROLAND MMAR Fly em straight and fly em high.
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Post by C.Calvin on May 17, 2009 17:26:34 GMT -5
Tom,
It was my attention that members use the Public Events board to post launches. Follow the guidelines posted there. Once I receive the information regarding your event I will post a link to it in the Calendar.
Per the Public Event forum:
To register an event to be displayed in this forum please PM me, C.Calvin, the following information:
Event Name
Event Date(s)
Event Location
Event Entry Fee
Event Admission Price
Event Summary
And any other information you would like in the post, please include any images/links you would like included. Board members will be able to add comments to events posted in the section.
Make sure to send me the information as you want it shown in the announcement format wise. You can expect your event to be posted within 24 hours. One of the perks of doing it this way is that other members who might have a question for you can reply to your event announcement to ask you.
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Post by epickett on May 26, 2009 10:09:26 GMT -5
Hi guys(and ladies)
I live in Oak Park, but I've flown with JMRC(my main club), Team 1, HUVARS, SMASH, and most recently MMAR. I also tend to take a LOT of pictures at launches, usually to the detriment of my own flying. I'm working on getting more efficient...<g>
Eldred
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I live in Brighton, MI and work in the medical field. However, if you injure yourself playing with rockets, don't come to me!!! ;D 