Jun 9, 2023
SoAR’s Mill Springs Academy launch event is this Saturday, June 10th. The weather forecast calls for favorable conditions with blue skies, comfortable humidity, very warm temps, mild winds, and no threat of afternoon showers. So, make plans to come out early and enjoy a day of rocketry where we will be launching from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is our low power launch, where we recommend altitudes no higher than 1000′ (usually no more than D power level).
This will be an “All Hands” event. SoAR will have enough equipment set up so that no one will wait, but we need Rocketeers who can provide a word of advice or a helping hand for upwards of 100 Scouts (both genders) and their parents who will be joining us at this event.
As always, the public is invited to watch, or join in!
May 20, 2023
Those arriving at the field early for setup found low clouds and moderate drizzle, but after a brief delay the morning began to brighten and by the event scheduled start time the conditions needed for a day of mid-power thrills were in play. Activity picked-up slowly as mild winds and very comfortable temperatures encouraged more rocketeers to arrive and more powerful rockets to be placed out on the pads. By midday the sun made a few appearances. For this event there were a total of sixteen participants launching 79 rockets.
Getting down to business with some great mid-powered flights was Tony Paridon with his scratch-built Miss Riley going up on a G78 and his scratch-built Cherokee powered with a G74. Tony used a Jolly Logic chute release set for 300’ on almost all his seven total mid-powered launches with good results. Nate got in an impressive flight with his Estes Leviathan on a G40 which was also recovered with the help of a chute release. Keeping things quite interesting were the four launches by Michael Bright with slow decent helicopter recoveries, his Estes Super Orbital Transport and its parasitic glider performing well and an Estes MIRV that launches on a B6-0 booster and then, while in flight, igniting three separate rockets each powered by A10s.
Some pictures from the event can be found [here]
Motor ignition counts:
A – 14
B – 10
C – 23
D – 20
E – 15
F – 4
G – 3
May 19, 2023
SoAR’s next launch happens this Saturday, May 20th at our Dawsonville/Ball Ground site from 9AM – 2PM.
This is our mid-power field, where rockets up to G power can be flown. It is very hilly, and cow-patties abound, hidden in the tall grass in the recovery area, so pick your shoes accordingly. Spectators are always welcome. If you’ve got a rocket, come fly it with us.
The latest forecast promises light winds and mild temperatures reaching upper 70s and partly cloudy. There is a chance of rain beginning in the early afternoon, so come early and enjoy the more favorable conditions.
May 13, 2023
For the May 13th 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
