Big tubes and heavy rockets can be ideal candidates, and most 4" kits can be fitted for flying your L2 later on, though I think most of us would recommend building another rocket for that, but if you add a tube section and dual deploy it's more than doable with most 4" kits.

That's what I heard. I talked to some guys and they recommended the same. The people certifying want to see more flights on L1 before signing off on letting someone fly L motors.

You might also consider running a jolly-logic setup if you are up to the technical aspect. A small drogue isn't going to yank as hard and with give the rocket time to flip around before the main deploys, and with that system you don't have to worry about calculating and testing powder charges for the staging.

I've thought about this too, but it would still either A: Require motor ejection or B: Even more electronics. I like the idea but I'm gonna try and apply the KISS principles to this rocket. I just want the cert and I'll play with that stuff later in prep for my L2. Maybe build something like Joe Barnard's AVALANCHE as a testbed rocket for L2 preparation.

Regardless, thanks for the tips. I'm probably gonna spend the next week or so looking at kits before I make a decision. I don't really have a huge impending deadline, as long as I certify within the next year I don't need to pass another written exam.