Launch!

Claude said he never found anyone to do a launch report for this last event. My head was too stuck in trying to get my low/mid power stuff to a pad and help manage Scouts to really see what else was going on. So we're gonna try the "anthology approach". If you want to share your observations from Sunday, even if it's just one paragraph about your own efforts, reply here. A broader scope is welcome, too... the idea is just to collect a number of perspectives from different fliers and post them together as a slap-dash, multi-view, duct-taped-together composite launch report.

So, PLEASE, fire away. A few sentences, one paragraph, three... whatever you want. Say your piece. Hopefully we'll get enough tidbits to be "launch reportish" in the end. Friday night I'll collect and compile, with an aim of posting something to the blog by the end of the weekend.

Thanks Rob!

Cian and I arrived late and were amazed at the number of scouts that came to fly. Even though the lines were long at 12:00 things seemed to be moving along pretty well through checkin and out to the pads. Cian helped some scouts who were in getting ready to fly with parachute packing and other pre-launch problems, and then took some aerial footage of launches from his drone.

I was able to launch two rockets. The first was a Super Big Bertha modified for dual-deploy on a F40W. Not an auspicious first flight. Deployment at high speed saw a snap ring bend open and the rocket came down in several sections. Thankfully all were recovered and suffered no real damage.

And then I successfully certified L1 with an Aerotech ARCAS on a H165R. Howard Greenblatt was incredibly kind and patient as witness and certifier. Howard, thank you very much.

It looked to me like things went smoothly despite the high turnout and the tremendous number of launches. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and spent time as RSO and LCO and all of the other tasks that make a launch work.

One other observation was the number of CATOs. There were some impressive ones, including an unfortunate Crayola rocket that suffered some sort of lower-end motor failure. It started a small fire, easily dealt with by volunteers and bystanders.

It was a frosty morning as I headed out to the range, arriving early in time to help out some with setup. Then I got sidetracked by a small group of Pack 89 Cub Scouts and one of the moms and ended up giving them a rocket prep demo, which I hoped helped a few of them. I had just enough time to sendy Crossfire ISX on a B4-4 to try to gauge the winds aloft before it was my turn to report for pad assistant duty. Deb was on for the first out but offered to stay on for a while because the line for the RSO table was pretty long. I ended up doing likewise as Rob came in at noontime, and for a while all three of us were busy. It was close to one as my stomach was growling for lunch and the RSO line finally started to settle down. While grabbing a bite, I decided to set up my Sky Master two stager and I sent it on an A8 combo. After that came my Vanishing Point on a B6 combo, and it did "vanish" for a few seconds before the chute fully deployed. Then came my Super Mars Snooper on a D12-5. The clay I stuffed into the nose cone seems to be working; I've seen other SMS models run a little cockeyed. After that, I flew SkyLance 3D on a C11-5 to an altitude of 553' of my JL Altimeter I is to be trusted. I finished up the day with my Aztec on an A8 combo. I love watching the acceleration of the upper stage. Not as many flights as I usually get owing to the presence of two packs of Cub Scouts. I'm sure every did their best to manage the crowd but it was very busy for a while.

The upside is that the weather was nearly perfect for launching, and we managed to squeeze in several high power fights between the wind shifts. We also helped a whole bunch of young prospective rocketeers get their start. Maybe a few of them will stick with it.

This was my first launch as I just started building rockets again after a long gap. I was so impressed by the club and the huge turnout. It was a bit confusing figuring out the logistics of paying my launch fee and getting set up for flights but everyone was super helpful and I did launch my first rocket in many years. Thankfully I avoided extreme embarrassment as my tiny Apogee Blue Streak flew like a champ.

I did learn a couple of lessons.

1. Don't park at the main soccer field lot and think it's a "short walk" down the hill to the flying field. That's a bit of a hike while carrying a bin of rockets and a box of supplies.
2. I should have had my first rocket prepped when waiting in line to pay my launch fee. Waiting in that long line twice was a lot (but I was happy to wait while the Cub Scouts took over).
3. The club folks are helpful and eager to answer new guy questions. I appreciated that. Thank you all.

Thanks for being such a welcoming group. I hope to be back in a couple weeks with more rockets to launch.

What a beautiful fall day for a launch! And the wind largely cooperated for high power.

I know we got over 250 launches and I don't think I've ever seen the line so long. I did a turn as both RSO and LCO and for awhile we were 3 people deep on each of the 1/8" launch rods.

I had a great dual deploy flight on an AT I218R on my Giant Leap Ellipse to 1412'. And then a couple good Fric-n-Frac flights.

Flew the Double Pink Crayon near the end of the day on a CTI H125 Classic. Sadly it CATO'd. Looking at the remains, it appeared that the nozzle clogged up to the point that flame ate through the plastic aft closure and started coming out the side of the motor. It trashed the motor case and the fin can. So sad...

They aren't manufacturing those big Crayon banks anymore but fortunately eBay to the rescue and I've ordered a replacement and a spare.

It truly was a beautiful day. Clear blue sky, bright foliage, and at times no wind at all. 1/2A to I285 is the power range I recall. The cub Scout packs clearly had a good mentor as their rockets were all properly constructed and used

A8-3s for their first flights. I flew my Majestic on an E11-3J which seems to be just about the perfect motor for that rocket. My SM-3 Seahawk flew on a D15-4T and my AIM-9B Sidewinder went up on a C12-4FJ. And I even joined the big boys and flew my Pride and Glory on an H97-6J. All were excellent flights. I would like more days with weather like that please.

Andrew

Man must rise above the earth, to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus shall he truly understand the world in which he lives. Socrates ~ 400 BC

Hey, big thanks to all of you who contributed a review of their experiences on the 10/18 club launch. I think it worked out well and allowed Claude to get a breather. The launch report will be live at 8pm.