May Mill Springs Launch Report

May 13, 2023

For the May 13^th launch event at Mill Springs Academy the early morning began with overcast skies from lifting fog, but a high enough cloud deck to begin launching at the scheduled 9:00 event start time.  Field conditions were excellent for the launching area, but a bit challenging in the recovery area due to waist-high grass in many areas.  Within the first hour the launch pads became quite busy.  Keith Frazier arrived with doughnuts and drinks for those needing refreshments.  As the day progressed there were very light winds through mid-day which allowed for straight-up launch rods and many recoveries quite near the pads.  For this event there were forty-two total participants launching 156 rockets.

Of special interest were the launches with multiple engines (clusters) like John Lawrence’s Estes Thunderstar (X Prize) with two Quest A6s for power, which he launched twice.  Kevin Scholberg had a scratch-built Q-Jet Burner with two D16s and his scratch-built SIBHOD (SB) that was powered by a four cluster of two D12s and two C11s.  Otherwise there were a variety of scale and sport models, different modes of recovery, parasitic gliders, older models getting some dust knocked-off and many newer rockets going up for the first time like Jorge’s Super Mars Snooper powered by a C11 that had a wonderful flight and easy recovery.  And last but not least, well maybe the least was the mighty launch of Ray Lecture’s Mini Goblin on a micro motor (and yes… recovered).

Some picture from the event [here].

Motor ignition count:
Micro – 1
A – 54
B – 35
C – 43 plus two static tests
D – 27
E – 1
F – 1

March 25th Dawsonville Launch Report

Mar 25, 2023

For the March 25^th launch event at Dawsonville there were forty-eight participants launching 127 rockets including many students from Fulton Science Academy participating in the American Rocketry Challenge (TARC).  This was SoAR’s Roy Green memorial launch to honor one of our key founding members, model rocket historian, and award-winning website developer and operator of the SoAR website.  Roy passed away late last year.

The weather at the time of range setup was overcast but clearing.  By the event’s start time, blue sky was beginning to break through, and the forecasted stiff winds had yet to arrive.  For the next few hours, those coming early had excellent conditions for launching their mid-powered rockets.  Many of these flights were made in memory of Roy Green with rockets painted green or those actually built by Roy.

Kevin Scholberg launched an Estes Alpha III on a neck snapping D21 just as Roy had done at Kevin’s first SoAR launch event.  He also sent up other Roy-built rockets throughout the day including a beautiful New Way Geometric with a C6, a Flistkits Preator with a C6, a Semroc Launch Magazine on a B6, and an Estes Pershing 1A Maxi Brute powered by an E18 – and many others.  Chris launched an Estes Cherokee for Roy Green with an E12.  Jeff Fellman brought a Mad Cow Mini DX that went up on an E26 for his memorial flight, Ray Lecture launched his Estes ‘Roy Green’ on a C6, and David Cain scratch-built a Unicon that uses a very unique break-apart recovery system (Roy would have loved this).  The Unicon was launched twice on a C11 and then a D12.  There were many other “Green” themed rockets launched throughout the event.

Another special part of the Roy Green Memorial launch was a contest for a ‘Green’ rocket that best personifies Roy Green.  These special contest rockets were laid out on a table for viewing and mid-event there was a call to cheer out loudest for a favorite and declare a winner.  The winning rocket was Rainbow by Rayna who won an Aerotech Mean Green for her entry.  Congratulations Rayna!

During the last few hours of the event, the forecasted gusty winds finally arrived, and activity began to slow down (other than a few final flights by those willing to take up the challenge and do some walking for their recoveries).  Chris Lucas put his green-themed LOC Goblin up on a G76 with parachute tethered until 200′ and was successful in having beautiful flight and an easy recovery. All-in-all it was an enjoyable day and one that truly honored a respected and much-missed SoAR member. Some event photos [here].

Motor ignition count:
A – 19
B – 21
C – 35
D – 17
E – 18
F – 15
G – 2

March 11th Mill Springs Launch Report

Mar 11, 2023

The March 11^th launch event at Mill Springs Academy began on a slightly chilly morning with a moderate wind primarily from the west, but as the day progressed the warming sun provided for  a comfortable afternoon.  The wind direction became more variable adding a bit of challenge at times but overall kept most recoveries safely downfield.  Activity on the launch pads was busy during the middle period of the day with thirty participants and 109 total launches accomplished (and one ground test).

Many families were in attendance which added a lot of youthful enthusiasm to every rocket launched and for those more experienced there was plenty of unique events (like chuff-chuff-chuffing and dramatic flight trajectories) to make the day interesting.  Two two-stage launches and recoveries were accomplished successfully by Jim with his Estes Checkmate on a pairing of A10-0 booster to 1/2A3 sustainer and Chris with an Estes Load Star II flown with B6-0 to B6-4.  Xavier Tyx tempted fate with his Estes Mean Machine powered by an E12-4 which achieved an impressive altitude, and then landed gently on the far end of the field to much applause. On a sad note, Dave Fountain’s beautifully constructed and finished Aerotech Strong Arm took a majestic and thunderous ascent on a F24 but came down out of reach and will hopefully be recovered later.

A special thanks to Joe Blanco for making this launch possible by bringing out all the launch and safety equipment while Jorge was away and to Terry Bliss, Tom Thurmond, and Jeff Fellman for supporting LCO and RSO duties.  Another recognition and thanks must go to Chris Lucas who performed many tree rescues in some very prickly situations (putting smiles back on rocketeer’s faces – young and old).  There was also great support for setup and takedown of the equipment which all together helped make this event go very smoothly.

Here are a few photos from the event.

Motor ignition count:
A – 27
B – 33
C – 36
D – 16
E – 2
F – 1