[link=http://www.buildandfly.com/listing.asp]Instructors[/link]
I'm a instructor through them. this is for HHF

http://www.buildandfly.com/packet.asp for the documents associated with the program at this time...(but its not even verifiable as a real AMA site... since the official AMA sites are all based on www.modelaircraft.org/XXXXXXX and NONE are XXXXXXXX.com)

Where is the instructor's qualifications test requirement? What flying test listed in official AMA documents did you pass to get your "AMA Instructor" rating listed on your AMA card? (They will list "Intro pilot" for anyone that a local club submits on thier Intro Pilot Program application... but there is no "instructor" notation on ANY AMA membership card. And no test required for the Intro Pilot.)

And again.... pull up the official rule that says its not allowed because... it is SPECIFICLY listed as allowed to use a model rocket engine for JATO in the AMA Safety Code)

I have a problem with "Rulemongers" who MAKE UP limitations that don't exist. And who claim to have som "qualification" that does not exist.

And then... how long it took for you to "FIND" that page makes me wonder how many search engines you used. (if you had known about it... you'd have posted it earlier.) Or did you spend all that time MAKING the site?

You too can be a member of the exclusive AMA instructors guild. Just send us $29.95 and a photo copy of your AMA insurance card and you are in! Don't miss this exciting offer! No instructor should be without membership!!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

***********
Deleted - not adding anything to the thread.

Interresting that the AMA has added on a .com webhost...

Guess I should have gone to the AMA site and checked for links to the suspect site, because I went back and checked... its the only link under Education.

Naw,,, you just need a program like Sam Spade, or something similar. It will tell you where any link, ip address, etc comes from, when it was created etc etc etc. Its a PI for IP's

Generally... I can tell from the URL enough to suit my needs:

1) If its a URL in a SPAM... assume its a [:'(]porn[:'(] site and add it to the blocked list. (don't bother sending me spam... I just block the e-mail address... forever.)
2) If its SUPPOSED to be an AMA Site it should have www.modelaircraft.org/XXXXXXXXXXx form (well it used to be that way...[&:])
3) If it is a XXXXXXXXX.de/XXXXXx or XXXXXXXXX.du/XXXXXXx its on a server that supports trojans, viruses and other garbage... stay clear.

Sam will even tell you who the owner is: ex: F H Hubber uh oh,,, kitten wants attention,,, gotta go,,,, they're just like kids, gotta pay attention when needed,,,, sorry off the subject actually she wants to play fetch,,

Not a lot of Life Guards in these Gene Pools........

Just make sure you attach this device properly, you do not want to have your PT40 as a rocket firing spotter plane....Anyway, How big are those rockets anyway. Also, have remore ignition and ignite just after you begin your roll, not before...to much energy would be wasted to get the plane tostart to move, and when you reach rotation point, your boosters will be out!

RATOs and aircraft launched rockets been done and just saying “Don’t do it!!!� will not dissuade anyone. Better to tell someone contemplating it Why they should not and let them learn from the past. I’ll claim a hat trick on this one:

-I had an out of control trainer strike me in the back while I was in the pits ~15 years ago. Luckily it was winter and I had my favorite heavy duty parka on. The prop chewed the parka to hell and I got a nice black and blue mark for a few weeks. The guy was a real jerk about it too, luckily he had AMA insurance and I had a sore back.


When done properly RATO is pretty cool. But there are many problems:

-Timing of the ignition. Even with a good solid ignition setup it was 50/50 getting the thing to ignite at the proper time. Half the time it would ignite too late, a few times it did not ignite at all. You have to ask yourself how comfortable you feel approaching an aircraft with a live rocket engine attached and putting your fingers near it to disarm it. Also ask yourself how you feel making your landing approach with a misfire while pointed near a populated area (the pits), knowing it may light off at a time when you are slow and have marginal control of the aircraft.

-Fire. If you use the ejection charge where is the engine going to go? Again, in the event of a misfire and late ejection is it possible the hot engine will eject into dry grass and start a fire?

-Initial tests. We figured out how to align the thrust of the rockets with the aircraft, but the first few flights were “exciting�. Misfires/early ignitions when the aircraft was under ballistic rocket power with no aerodynamic control resulted in a couple mishaps.


As far as launching rockets, they have the same problems as above but in the event of a hung fire you are now dealing with a potentially lethal projectile you have no control over. Coming into land with a hot unguided missile on your wing brings all new meaning to the phrase “Oh Shiot.�. If one had ever gone off on final approach there was no way someone was going to get out of the way. When I got hit by the trainer I heard someone yell “Look out!�. I ducked but it still got me. Now imagine a rocket going many many times faster.


Yes, there are rocket powered boost gliders. But they launch vertically and in the event of a misfire their trajectory is still straight up. As far as casing bursts go, I never had one and do not feel I can comment on the risk factor.


Are you willing to be responsible for these risks and the consequences of these problems? I eventually gave it up after about 15 RATOs and a half dozen wing mounted rocket launches. The risk/reward curve was too far to the risk side.

Remember the mark of anything that looks easy: When done by professionals very complicated and dangerous things look easy. Often they are exactly the opposite.


This is not something that should be attempted in any way, shape, or form by beginners. And if you ask me how we did it I won't answer.

Steve

Been there, done that......lots of rocket launched "cruise missles" dropped from the wing, RATO, bomb drops ect. The local PD will get interested when the bombs get big enough though.......

So, go for it.

Use a LITTLE common sense. (don't use tape, rig it right, no house, people, ect around, right?)
DON'T use IGNITION CORD-It's bad for the rubber bands (don't ask how I know)
Rig your RATO so it ignites with the application of full throttle. (push on switch mounted to the throttle servo)

Have fun.

Did I say be careful, and make sure only have one witness?

Experimenting is fun, lighten up.

Do it. If you can afford to waste the plane, engine, and electrionics, go for it. They are your toys.

I'm interested in why so many people wet their panties at the mere mention of JATO on an RC Plane. OK, granted, the original post saying he was gonna attach the unit with duct tape wasn't great in my opinion, but since the AMA allows such a device, provided nothing ejects from the aircraft, what's the problem? The thing I like best about this hobby is the chance to experiment and tinker. Following your logic, why not limit all planes to 3 pounds of NERF material so no one can get hurt? Personally, I think you have a better chance surviving a hit from a wild E rocket motor than getting plowed by a 40 pound turbine aircraft that's out of control because some moron forgot to charge the flight battery last night...

The point is: Plan it well, build with overkill in mind and take your chances. With the type of mentality I've seen on this thread, we'd all still be wondered if the Moon really IS made of cheese instead of going to find out...

Nuff Said.

[sm=punching.gif] [sm=punching.gif][sm=lol.gif]


WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

We had somebody build a rocket plane at our club. I think the ama rules are that the rocket has to be the planes main source of power.

We used to glue Estes rocket engines in the trunks of those plastic car kits from the early 1960s. Those flew pretty good when lit off at the top of a big hill, and they didn't have wings either.


(A big War Eagle to TPierce up thar in Tuscaloosa)

I fly high power rockets. There are plenty of ways around the problems you mentioned if using commercially available single use or reloadable (You could even go EX if you know what youre doing) rocket motors. The ejection charge can be removed. There is now a commercially manufactured system for firing pyro outputs that is RC based. And no, rocket gliders are not always launched straight up. Our safety codes permit then to be launched up to 45 degrees from vertical. (Non gliding rockets must stay within 15 degrees of vertical.) I'd recommend using a separate channel to light the motor. And remember, that motor exhaust is HOT. You should laminate the plane around the nozzle with either Kevlar or Nomex-Kevlar is better cause its stronger. That motor is going to kick the plane pretty hard when it comes up to pressure. When i get around to doing my RC boost glider, im covering a sailplane with carbon fiber instead of that thin plastic stuff. Also, a true model rocket will not fly sideways. The fins dont create enough lift.

William

go for it go for it go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Estes E9's arent going to give you much of a kick. Get at least an Aerotech F21. Use an onboard ignition system. The "Radio fire" system would be perfect. And if you think 6 bucks is bad, ive spent 50 on a single motor. It got almost a mile high. Oh, and the whole govt thing, it'll happen either way. THe ATF asked hobby stores to provide them with a list of hobbyists who purcahse either rocket or RC equipment. THe stores know better than to give this info out. Its only a matter of time till teh ATF attacks RC like theyve done rockettry. Band together and dont take this lying down.