Jul 28, 2018
For the July 28th work day, our club’s valuable asset (the one on two wheels) received a thorough scrubbing and scouring in preparation for its upcoming trip to the paint shop. All remaining sticky residue was removed using solvents and some light scraping then the entire outside was hand-washed to remove years of oxidation streaking and grime. Once the trailer has been painted, our next step will be to make final decisions on the SoAR club logo placement and contact information to be applied to the sides and back.
Jul 14, 2018
The July 14th Mills Springs launch event started with a thirty-minute delay as dreary skies and rain slowly cleared the area. Once the field was setup, the morning continued to improve and before long the launch pads became very busy. There were over thirty-two participants (and an assembly of cub scouts) who accomplished over 130 launches. Coyote Rocketry (Keith) also supported this event.
Roman sent up his Estes Goblin on a D12 into the lower troposphere to check the cloud deck and help determine that conditions were safe for the subsequent onslaught. Gabriel’s scratch-built Sputnik was launched on an A10 and made an impressive three-point landing. Joseph tried-out his 3D printed Whirl and Hurl on an E11 and had such success that it was followed by two more launches. Glenn flew his Aerotech Mirage on a G77 which really impressed the scouts to see such a large rocket leave the pad. Kevin also took advantage of the improved weather conditions with his LOC IV launched on a F50.
Bill provided a much-improved sound system for this event and spent most of the day at launch control. Thanks Bill! And much thanks to all of those who helped setup and take-down the equipment. Pictures from the event.
Motor ignition counts (does not include some of the scout launches)
A – 25
B – 26
C – 21
D – 13
E – 9
F – 3
G – 1
Jun 9, 2018
The June 9th Mill Springs launch was fortunate to have very calm winds and partly cloudy skies throughout the entire event. Rockets were aimed straight skyward and most returned very near the pads, even those reaching higher altitudes had very little drift. This brought out more D12s than C11s for some truly spectacular flights. Overall, we had twenty-nine participants accomplish a total of eighty-two launches.
Standouts included Chris’s Estes Space Ship One flown with a B6-2 and his Estes Sky Dart II also powered off the pad by a B6-2 and gliding down gracefully. Wade Kovalik chose a D12-3 for the first flight of his Estes Cosmic Interceptor and launched a beautifully built and finished Semroc Laser-X for its first flight on a B6-4. Benjamin sent up a Rocketarium Mega Vortico on an E9-4 while Jacob went with a D12-5 for his Estes STM-012 and Estes QCC Explorer. [Event Photos] [Lost & Found]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A – 3
- A – 7
- B – 52
- C – 15
- D – 7
- E – 1
May 12, 2018
The May Mill Springs launch event was held under blue skies, summer-time temperatures, and mild (finally) but variable winds. A late update regarding a shift in the event’s start time caused inconvenience to some (our apologies); but for those seventeen participants who were able to accommodate the afternoon start, there were good flying conditions to enjoy. We accomplished a total of seventy-one launches. Coyote Rocketry attended with needed rocket supplies and cold refreshments.
Of special interest was Jacob’s beautifully detailed Fliskits Borealis that was flown with a B6-2, then launched again on a C6-3. Kevin had two impressive flights with his 13mm Superoc on a A10-3T, and his 18mm Superoc on a A8-3, each ejecting the parachute at perfect apogee. Jim’s Semroc Sprite flown on A10-3T was also notable as was Katie’s Tiny Bob that was sitting on the launch pad with an A10-3T one moment and gone the next (see Lost & Found). Roman blasted his Estes Green Goblin off the pad with a D12-5, not once but twice. See these pictures from the event.
Motor ignition counts:
A – 15
B – 16
C – 21
D – 11
E – 9
F – 3
Apr 28, 2018
At the April 28th Dawsonville Launch event we were welcomed with fair skies, pleasant temperatures, but still bothered at times by some challenging breezes from the northwest. Despite the wind-factor, the day provided sixteen participants with some great rocketry moments during the forty-seven launches that were accomplished.
Throughout the day there were many rockets placed out on the pads that exhibited great craftsmanship and creativity. Standouts were David Cain’s Madcow Rocketry Honest John that he modified with beautiful scale details (3D printed) and flown with a G64, and Allen Isdell’s Estes V2 with its striking Dr. Pepper paint scheme. There were also some unique models like Mike Huggins’ Quest Orion Recovery Vehicle and the return of Jose Morales scratch-built and gas stabilized ‘I Got Gas’ that had improved flight characteristics from his last attempt.
For other thrilling mid-power flights, we had Katie’s LOC Iris flown with a G61-W and Allen’s LOC-IV also powered by a G61-W.
Here are some photos from the event.
Motor Ignition counts:
- A – 6
- B – 9
- C – 10
- D – 6
- E – 8
- F – 5
- G – 4
