This home page is dedicated to the hobby and sport of flying Advanced Model Rockets in Australia.

Who Am I
	My name is David Boyd. I could be considered a BAR (Born Again Rocketeer). I used to fly model rockets between 1978 and 1980. I re-entered the hobby in May 1996. I was the founding Tripoli Rocketry Association Prefect for Australia. Please send me an Email if you are interested in High Power Rocketry (HPR) in Australia.
	My specific interest is flight computers. I develop all of my own microporocessor based fight computers with non-volatile memory, altimeter, accelerometer, main and drogue chute deployment, software backup and hardware backup pyro timers. Real-time in-flight telemetry transmitted back to the ground station. Real-time in-flight color video transmission. GPS unit. Remote control and testing of all payload functions via an umbilical cable that detaches at launch. Individual electronic modules can be remotely turned on or off, and the payload is remotely armed. The photograph on the left is one of these payloads.
	Here is an image of video transmitted on a 2.4 GHz video downlink from the same payload. You can access this video file from the GDT2 page.

Model Rocketry In Australia

High Power Rocketry In Australia

High Power Rocketry has not been an organised sport or hobby in Australia until recently. There are a number of organisations now appearing. The sport is most active in th United States of America, and mainly organised through the Tripoli association.

Australian Model Rocket Supplies

Many of the large hobby shops in Australia carry some low power model rocket supplies. To date, all low power model rocketry components in Australia are imported through DAWN TRADING, who distribute to the local retailers.

High Power Rocket supplies are just becomming available in some states, mostly through private distributors. Most users import their own supplies from the USA which are ordered directly via the net.

The explosives regulations are very different from state-to-state. The largest motor you can buy in hobby shops is a black powder D type, usually of the Estes variety.

Safety & Codes of Conduct

As far as I can tell there are very few formal rules for safety and codes of conduct in Australia that are specifically targeted at model rocketry. Of course all local and federal laws and regulations must be adhered to, especially those regarding dangerous goods handling, fire, and aviation. The NSW Rocketry Association uses the Australian Rocketry Association has a safety code that is very similar to the NAR.

To launch a rocket above 300 feet you will need a waiver from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

In the US the sport is self regulated and governed by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and the Tripoli Rocketry Association (Tripoli)..

Please use common sense when handling all model rocket engines and make sure that an adult supervises all activities.

More Information

Check out these sites for more information.

• Tripoli Rocketry Association Home Page (Tripoli)..
• National Association of Rocketry (NAR). You must be familiar with the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code.
• The Australian Rocketry Association (ARA) is the de-facto controlling body for the hobby in Australia.
• Frequently Asked Questions FAQ for rec.model.rockets.
• Usenet rec.models.rockets newsgroup.
• Check out Rocketry Online. It is one of the best web pages on model rocketry.
• The definitive book on the subject is G. Harry Stine's "Handbook of Model Rocketry". He is the guy that really got model rocketry in the air. I originally borrowed it 17 years ago from my local library. Unfortunately G. Harry Stine passed away in 1997. The NAR can supply a copy by mail order.
• The Australian Space Research Institute (ASRI)

Last updated: 20th May 2006.  This page has been accessed times since August 20th 1996.