***RE-POSTPONED***

Due to ongoing red flag fire conditions, we will be unable to conduct our launch in Amesbury on the 16th of November. We will see what we can do to reschedule in December.

To make it absolutely clear, CMASS does not allow "sparky" motors at any of our launches.

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Apr 23, 2022, Launch in Amesbury; A New Season!

Details
Published: Monday, 16 May 2022 06:23
Written by Claude Maina

  kevins pics 5 20220429 1544722723    Our first launch of the 2022 season was good until it wasn't. Temp's in the 50's with slight by variable winds blowing toward the parking area. We had a large crowd with several college teams and a group of Civil Air Patrol Cadets. We had 144 flights from 13 mm A through I; ten high power flights, with a few successful L1 certification flights from the college teams, and 5 NAR competition flights.

      There were a number of high power flights that day, mostly coming from the college teams and quite a few mid-power flights as well. Both resulting in back-ups at the two high power pads and at the single mid-power rail. We'll kevins pics 2 20220429 1738261096see if this is a trend. Both Boba Fett and the Mandalorian flew that day. Tim Dawson launched his US Space Force (aka TLP Osiris), really pretty all decked out in black and gold! But I think the rocket of the day goes to Bruce Strong's 'Big Rocket Flu-Flu' that had a rainbow slinky as it's fin can - and it flew great!

      And yes, there was a fire. It's not 100% certain how it happened but the CMASS crew quickly got to work to snuff it out with our water tanks, brooms and rakes. It was 100% contained by the time the Amesbury Fire Dept got there. The fire chief was impressed - and thankful!

      Thanks to Kenn and Guy as usual for all their efforts, Matt for handling the food, Stephen Maire for competition flights and all that helped out setting up, taking down, LCO and RSO duties. And a special thanks to all the rushed to the fire to contain it. The only reason it was contained is the fact that everyone jumped in and did their part.

      Pictures are in the Gallery. Our next launch is May 28th in Acton.

2022 TARC Launches

Details
Published: Friday, 11 March 2022 16:27
Written by Claude Maina

 launch field 20220311 130365562805 March - The first TARC launch of the season was last Saturday (5th) in Acton. It was sunny, windy and temps in the 30's. Two high school teams were there: Westborough and Lexington. Westborough got in one practice launch. Unfortunately their 3D printed nose cone cracked (either during the flight or upon landing) and that was it for them for the day. The Lexingtion team, because of the lack of rail guides on their rocket, did not fly that day. The CMASS attendees were the usual suspects with the addition of Tim Dawson, who brought his skis for rocket retrieval! Guy, Tim and myself launched a few rockets as well. Some pictures are in the Gallery and we'll add to them and append the article as the TARC launches proceed. Hopefully we'll get a few more teams next time.

20 March - A lot better weather for the TARC launch this past Sunday. Lexington, Cambridge Rindge & Latin, and Newton High Schools were there as well as cub scouts and boyscouts from Somerville Pack 3. There were some fairly successful practice flights but no certification flights (It's not the last minute yet.). One rocket did land in the trees beyond the stream on the east side of the field. But with the help of Howard and Guy's telescopic pole, there were able to retrieve it. Pack 3 got in several successful launches of their Alpha's. A couple of the Alpha's had non-traditional fin attachments - one definitely inspired by the MIT rocket club! One more TARC launch left. You know that will be the busy/hectic one!

The final TARC launch of the season was on Apr 3, a bit overcast but favorable winds - and a lot of activity. We started an hour early at 10:00 am in anticipation of afternoon showers (that luckily never showed up) and still went 45 minutes over the original 3:00 end time. The TARC teams were from Needham, Lexington, Algonquin, Cambridge Rindge & Latin, Deerfield, Westboro, Groton, and the (non-TARC) Civil Air Patrol of Newington. There were a number of test launches and several good qualification flights. Hopefully one of them will make it to the finals. We even got donuts from the Lexington team for staying past the end time! It was a fun launch!

  1. Winter Follies - 2022 Acton, MA
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