[NRVR-Members] propellent making class

[Bob Schoner]

I took the very first Thunderflame propellant making class in the mid 90s.
It does open up the enjoyment and involvement in the hobby.

When I was on the TRA BOD there was endless discussion of whether or not to
‘certify’ the research mixing process. Basically anyone can mix their own
propellant but Tripoli restricts who can fly (L2 and up) and where they can
be launched (TRA research launch only). NAR does not allow research motors
at any level at any launch so if you are a NAR member you would have to
join Tripoli.

I have most of the chemicals and 54 and 38 mm casting and liner tubes and a
HD 6qt Kitchen Aide mixer that I’ve used for propellant mixing. I know Ben
and Elaine and would be interested if I could just help. I would not be
able to pay to take the class at this time.

Thanks for making the contacts and offering this to NRVR Eric.

Bob


On Sat, Sep 8, 2018 at 5:49 PM Adrien Drouault <adrien.drouault at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Could a Level 1 take the class, with acknowledgement that the motor won't
> fly until after achieving Level 2?
>
> More precisely, I guess, is what's the timeframe.  I'm still hoping to be
> able to do my L2 before the end of the year, but I'm buried under a huge
> project at work that is severely cutting in to my free time...
>
> Presuming I can (legally and schedule-wise), I'd be interested.
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 8, 2018, 17:26 Eric Paterson <egpaterson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Tweeks,
>>
>> It comes with *Tru-Core 54 mm 3 grain casting set*, not 54mm hardware.
>> Before we start thinking about scheduling, I want to get an idea of number
>> of people who would be interested.   Since it is hands on, the class would
>> most likely be for < 10 people, although Ben and Elaine wold consider doing
>> it a couple of times.
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>> On Sep 8, 2018, at 5:19 PM, Thomas Tweeks Weeks <tom at theweeks.org> wrote:
>>
>> Whoa! Comes with 54mm hardware?!?! SIGN ME UP ERIC!!!
>>
>>
>> Can we do a doodle to figure out the best date Eric?  There's a ton of
>> stuff going on in the fall..  and the more people who can go to this the
>> better.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for taking lead on this.. we've all been talking about something
>> like this for a while.
>>
>>
>> Tweeks
>> p.s. Guess I better get myself a 54mm bird (all I have is 38 & 75 right
>> now).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, September 8, 2018 4:54pm, "Eric Paterson" <
>> egpaterson at gmail.com> said:
>>
>> NRVR members,
>> I talked to Ben and Elaine Russell (Gainesville, VA) about offering their "Introduction
>> to Propellant Making” class here in Blacksburg.   The class covers the
>> following topics:
>>
>>    - How to safely handle and store chemicals and propellants
>>    - What’s needed to get started
>>    - Clothing, gloves etc.
>>    - Chemicals
>>    - Mixers
>>    - Casting sets – mandrels and caps
>>    - Liner / casting tubes
>>    - Motor hardware
>>    - Vacuum systems
>>    - Process of mixing and packing AP based propellants. The student
>>    mixes and packs their own 54mm reload.
>>    - Overview of Burnsim –motor design and simulation program
>>
>> You'll leave the class with
>>
>>    - A 3 grain 54mm J class reload which you mixed and packed.  The
>>    reload can be flown at an experimental launch by those with Level-2
>>    certification.
>>    - A 3-ring binder containing all the class materials and discount
>>    coupons
>>    - Tru-Core 54 mm 3 grain casting set which includes a 5/8” x 14” AL
>>    mandrel and casting caps. Packing stick included.
>>
>> Tuition is $325 per student.   I am thinking of holding the class
>> jointly for a small group of NRVR members and VT students on a Saturday
>> sometime this fall.
>>
>> Would you take this course given the $325 tuition?    I would like to get
>> an idea of the general level of interest among NRVR members before reaching
>> out to our students.
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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