CMASS / MMMSClub Joint Launch 18 May 2014
- Details
- Published: Monday, 19 May 2014 18:15
- Written by Kenn Blade
CMASS had its first joint launch of the season with the Maine Missile Math & Science Club on Sunday the 18th of May. Weather postponed the launch from the scheduled 17 May date but the resulting day was wonderful for flying. There were 108 total flights; a pretty good number considering the rescheduling. The motor impulses ranged from 1/4A to M. We had a Junior Level 1 and two Level 2 certifications along with an attempt at a Level 3 certification.
Matt Laudato tried his cable cutter dual-deploy system again. This time the chute deployed at ejection and the rocket ended up in a tree right at the edge of the field. Someone's small child scampered up the tree and was able to get the rocket down. Stuart Johnson from the MMMSClub certified as a Junior Level 1. Bill Bakos and John Scamman both achieved their Level 2 certification with Bill taking the test on the field early in the day. Jason Labutti made a try for his Level 3 with an M3100 motor (what a sound; what a sight) but was foiled by the main chute not deploying. The rocket wasn't damaged so the dream will continue. The launch took place soon after a slight rain shower skirted the field. The wind had died down and the low clouds were gone. With a predicted altitude of 6300 feet, Scott contacted the FAA to confirm our cloud ceiling was adequate (it was 10000 feet) and the large rocket was easily visible through the whole arc of its flight.
Scott got to show off the new trailer complete with reflective logos. Very sharp and well laid out for the club's equipment. One of the more impressive pieces of equipment was the new grill. Hot dogs, hamburgers and cheese burgers are now available in Berwick. FYI, MMMSClub has another launch scheduled for 31 May.
Jason was there representing AMW/ProX and offered a new service; he will rent you a radio tracker for your rocket that includes the use of the tracking unit. A few people used it this time but recovered on the field without issue. Another group had their own tracker and put it to good use as they had a minimum diameter HP rocket go high and deploy its main at apogee. It drifted well to the southeast and into the trees. A good reminder that even on a big field, things can go missing and radio beacons are a good way to locate them.
Kevin Cespedes (CMASS member KevinCesp1 for sending a PM) flew a Mars Lander he had constructed with numerous part he had made by 3D printing. He has a Shapeways Shop website that he'd like to make available to CMASS members. He has many replicas of classic nosecones and fin cans as well as some parts that could spark some imaginations. Contact him directly for more information.
