Oct 9, 2021
The October 9th Mill Springs launch event began with some morning fog parked across the field keeping visibility a bit limited, but soon after the event start time the mist moved along, and a beautiful Fall afternoon got underway. There were twenty participants who accomplished a total of ninety-four launches. Winds were absent for the morning hours allowing for straight up ascents and straight back down parachute descents.
Of special interest were flights by Tony Paridon which included a thunderous launch of his scratch-built Hi-Flier XXL on a F32, scratch-built Nike-X on a F42, and scratch-built Dr. Death flown on a E27. Kevin Boyd flew his Aerotech G-Force on a G40. Leaor had some spectacular flights with his Fliskits Duces Wild on a cluster of two B6s and then on C6s. Tom Lacock launched his Estes Executioner powered with an E12.
A drag race was held of three Estes Protostars by Kevin Boyd (color champagne) D12, Jorge Blanco (gold) C11, and Jeff Coons (silver) D12. So who won which aspect? (First off the pad, highest altitude, first down) Well, that was not the point, it was a sight to behold as all three Protostars came soaring up off the pads at once – and that was good enough (all recovered).
Wonderful Fall weather, rockets blasting skyward and drifting down silhouetted against a sunny blue sky – it was a very enjoyable launch event. Event photos by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional pictures from the event [here].
Engine Ignition Counts:
A – 10
B – 28
C – 36
D – 18
E – 3
F – 2
G – 1
Sep 25, 2021
Comfortable temperatures, low humidity, mild morning breeze – you could hardly ask for more perfect weather for the September 25th launch event at Dawsonville. Coming out to enjoy the big sky day and mountain scenery were twenty-two participants who accomplished seventy-seven launches.
With light winds in the morning there was little hesitation to bring out high-flying mid-power rockets and a good number of two stage models as well. Herb H. had four impressive G-power flights with his Pole Cat Goblin (4-inch), LOC V2 (4-inch), Binder Bat (29mm), and Pole Cat Spike. Mike E. launched his LOC Caliber ISP for the first time powered by a G76. Russell M. flew his North Coast Rocketry SA-14 Archer on a G77 with a successful dual deployment recovery. Well done.
For other scale models, Ron H. launched his Estes Saturn V (1/100 scale) twice with a F44 for lift, two flights of his Semroc Saturn 1B (1/72 scale) with E30 power, and a launch of his Estes Little Joe II on an E30. Tom T. launched a Gemini on a cluster of two D12s. Ash C. had three good flights of his Estes Saturn V on C6s.
It was a full day of excellent low and mid-powered flights. Event photos by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional photos from the event [here].
Engine Ignition Counts:
A – 7
B – 11
C – 13
D – 19
E – 15
F – 12
G – 6
Aug 14, 2021
As should be expected for August, the summer heat and humidity were abundant, but so was the participant turnout, enthusiasm, and launch pad activity for the Mill Springs launch event on August 14th. By the end of the event there were forty-one participants who had accomplished 132 total launches.
Throughout the morning and early afternoon the winds remained fairly calm and this allowed some to take advantage of higher altitudes with C and D selected engines. Recoveries were mostly successful, but as usual at Mill Springs, not everything launched made it home (a few very painful). The higher than usual grass on the field also made recoveries more of a challenge for many of the smaller rockets.
A couple of standouts included Russell McCulloch’s North Coast Rocketry SA-14 Archer flown on a E30, Jorge Blanco’s PML rocket named Loser? that he sent up on a thunderous G80, Herb Howe’s Art Applewhite Saucer 29mm also got everyone’s attention with a G53 blast. Also of note were Ron Hender’s many scale model launches and Kevin Scholberg’s creative fleet that always entertains and inspires.
A very enthusiastic group from the Canterfield Villas in Cumming, that was organized by Gene Armstrong, arrived well prepared each with their beautiful rockets ready for the launch pads. These were successfully flown on A8-3s and recovered. It’s good to know that even at ninety-five the joy of watching a rocket you built leap off the pad and take to the skies can be accomplished. Some pictures from the event [here].
Motor ignition counts:
A – 26
B – 22
C – 49
D – 22
E – 9
F – 2
G – 2
Jul 10, 2021
On a day that began with overcast skies and an ever-present threat of rain there were forty-five enthusiastic participants that accomplished 142 launches. After a brief mid-morning delay in the action due to a passing rain cloud the sun did finally make an appearance around noon along with the usual summertime heat and humidity. Adding to the numbers of participants were members from Cub Scout Pack 199 out of Roswell and another scout group.
Throughout this July 10th launch event there were a few standouts that included two beautiful Estes Protostar launches by Jorge and Chris each on C11s, Herb Howe’s Fliskits Payload 3×18 with three A8s, Joseph Barrett’s Estes NASA SLS which flew great on a C6-3 and two launches of his Art Applewhite Stealth on E20s, Jeff Fellman’s Jayhawk was impressive flown with a C11, and Gavin’s Americana series of Estes Mix-n-Match that included rockets John Adams, James Madison, Spirit of America, and General Washington – the later flown with two stages D12/C6 and likely crossed the Delaware on its way down field.
An exciting moment occurred suddenly as a C130 (from Dobbins) on a low pass came close to the field. Launching ceased as the crowd took in the sight, sound, and awesomeness. Some photos from the event [here].
Motor ignition counts:
A – 45
B – 69
C – 20
D – 9
E – 2
F – 1
Jun 26, 2021
Turnout was tremendous at the June 26th launch event held at SoAR’s Dawsonville mid-power field. There were fifty-nine participants plus a healthy number of spectators and family members who enjoyed favorable weather and wonderful scenery as rockets filled the sky. Flight cards totaled 164 launches – a really busy day on the launch pads especially from those who brought out their mid-powered fleet.
Prevailing winds from the east were favorable for recoveries along the large field dimensions and some rockets that veered easterly at apogee drifted back relatively close to the launch area. At the start of launch Kevin Scholberg sacrificed an Alpha by sending it up on a C6-7 to determine the upper-level wind direction and speed.
A variety of rocketry at this event included multistage and cluster motor arrangements. The most impressive of these was Dan Smith’s Apogee 4DF that launched spectacularly on four D12s with a F15 center motor (hence 4DF). Herb Howe also launched his two motor Fliskits Duces Wild on B6s and a Mercury Engineering RDR-II with a pair of D12s.
Great mid-powered flights included Chris’ LOC Green Goblin powered by a G64 and David Cain’s MadCow Cowabunga also sent up on a G64.
Other standouts included Ray Lecture’s thirty-two-year-old Estes Arrow launched with a B6, Kevin Scholberg’s stunning Moon Age Daydream he scratch-built that was sent up on a D12, Ron Hender’s Estes 1/100 scale Saturn V coming off the pad powered with a F44 – wow, and Gavin Lucas’ Apogee X-15 streaking skyward on a F67. Mark Bowen also came out with his Dynasoar Aurora Clipper radio-controlled boost glider for another amazing flight and gentle return to earth. Event photos by Kevin Boyd here. Some additional photos from the event here.
Motor ignition counts:
A – 23
B – 45
C – 32
D – 30
E – 17
F – 22
G – 3
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