Jul 20, 2019
There was an excellent turnout for the July 20th Apollo 11 celebration launch at Dawsonville. Although quite hot and humid and with rain just a few miles away at times, the event drew thirty-one participants and many additional spectators who got to enjoy ninety-five launches. In recognition of the Apollo 11 50th anniversary we had six spectacular Saturn V launches by Gavin Lucas, Kevin Scholberg (2), Tom Thurmond, Ashli, and Andrew Robinson. Additionally, we also had Ray Lecture’s scratch-built Skinny Cat launched on a G77 and Allen Isdell’s LOC Amraam Prototype with a G61. These were all thrilling flights. [Event Photos]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A to A – 19
- B – 36
- C – 19
- D – 8
- E – 13
- G – 2
Jul 13, 2019
After previous months of back-to-back rainouts for SoAR’s Mill Springs venue we finally got a break for the July 13th Launch Event which was held under partly cloudy skies and with a mild breeze from the west blowing favorably down field. A pent-up demand brought out forty participants who accomplished 115 launches before the threat of rain finally brought the event to an hour early end.
Some of the many interesting launches included Leaor’s Semroc Orbital Transport with glider, Gabriel’s Holverson Design Zoomie and Jack Bentley’s Estes Starchaser Thunderstar (X Prize) launched with a two-engine cluster of A8-3s.
A special thank-you! for those who helped hurriedly load equipment back into the SoAR trailer to beat the rain (which arrived just as the trailer door was being closed). [Photos from the event]
Engine Ignition Counts:
- 1/4A to A – 32
- B – 57
- C – 17
- D – 5
- E – 3
- F – 2
- G – 1
Jun 22, 2019
The June 22nd Dawsonville Launch event was held on a partly cloudy hot and humid day with light to moderate winds from the west/southwest. Thankfully the early afternoon rain threat never materialized. The event drew twenty-two participants who launched a total of sixty-seven rockets.
There were many standout scale and sport rockets in both low to mid power. David Cain launched his excellently finished Estes Little Joe II for its first thrilling flight on an E30 and he also earned spectator points with his MadCow Bomarc powered by a G64. Kevin Scholberg flew his scratch-built Double Header on an E30 – twice, a PML Calisto with a G80, and many other outstanding models. Herb Howe had a Binder Design Dragonfly launched with G power and Polecat Goblin with a G76. Joseph also flew his Binder Design Jackhammer three times (G66, G79, G80). Katie launched her pink LOC Goblin with a G61 supporting breast cancer awareness and Ashli sent up her PML Purple Motor Eater on G54. There was even more mid powered action throughout the event. View some event photos [click here]
Motor ignition counts:
- A – 4
- B – 10
- C – 17
- D – 12
- E – 16
- F – 1
- G – 12
Jun 2, 2019
At the (rescheduled) June 1st Dawsonville Launch Event, there were ninety-one launches by twenty-one participants. A partly cloudy sky and not-too-troublesome winds provided for a great day to enjoy rocketry. The launch pads stayed very active up to the final minutes with some spectacular flights.
Standouts included Leaor’s Estes Mercury Atlas powered by a D12 that provided a tinge of full-scale excitement as it lifted-off the pad. He also launched a Rocketarium Turbo Vortico with a G74 (wow). Herb Howe sent up some beautiful Semroc models (Explorer, Skyhook, Jaguar SLS) on D12s reaching impressive altitudes and an upscale Fat Boy with a G40. From a craftsman perspective, we were also amazed by Mark’s Apogee Flying Machine that made a spectacular flight on a cluster of an E12 with two strap-on boosters with C6s. There was so much more – some captured here in photos.
Engine ignition counts:
- A – 14
- B – 15
- C – 27
- D – 17
- E – 12
- F – 3
- G – 6
Apr 27, 2019
It was a gorgeous day for rocketry at the April Dawsonville Launch event where sixteen participants performed seventy-one launches into a cloudless azure sky. Winds were barely a factor for the morning and first part of the afternoon. Many took advantage of these ideal conditions for their mid-powered rockets.
Ray Lecture flew his impressive new LOC Goblin on a F67 then again on a G77. Joseph Barrett launched his North Coast Rocketry Archer XL on a G64 and his Binder Jackhammer with a G80. Katie Isdell had an excellent flight with her LOC Magnum on a G54 and launched “Fred” on a G61. Mark Bowen sent up his Aerotech Mirage on a F50 and David Tripp launched his Mad Cow Solar Express on a F67.
Tom Thurmond launched his well-crafted Estes Outlander on a D12-3, had another excellent flight of his Estes Shuttle boosted by a D12, and launched a beautiful Estes Interceptor E on an E9. Kevin Scholberg provided some thrilling flights with his boosted glider on multiple flights. Jose Morales flight tested his Roswell Rockets Hawk MIM-23 and Patriot Missile on numerous flights. [Event Photos]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A – 7
- A – 7
- B – 12
- C – 9
- D – 18
- E – 11
- F – 6
- G – 5
