Dec 16, 2017
The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Launch event at Chattahoochee Pointe Park in Suwanee had twenty-six participants launch sixty-five rockets on a very comfortable December afternoon. The field dimensions were good for low-power, but a bit challenging for mid-power flights even with mild winds. Adjacent fields and many other open areas with smaller trees allowed some flexibility for recoveries.
Club members arrived early to try out the field and were soon joined by the Civil Air Patrol Cadets who had good success in launching their Alpha IIIs with B6-4s. David Cain got everyone’s attention by launching his Estes Mega Der Red Max on a G53-5J Smoke and Lee Childers sent up his Estes Goblin on an E9-8 then later on an E15-7 with streamer recovery and flew some of his helicopter recovery creations that are fun to watch. Kevin Scholberg’s Orange Web flown with an F15-0 performed very well as did his Estes Mammoth on a E16-4. Keith Frazier got all creative with a scratch-built No Name rocket that he flew multiple test flights, then loaded it with a cluster of B6-4 and two A10-0T motors.
The event wrapped up at 5:00 and the Cadets helped take down and pack-up the launch equipment. A few event photos here.
Motor Ignition Counts:
- A – 17
- B – 31
- C – 13
- D – 2
- E – 4
- F – 1
- G – 1
Nov 11, 2017
Before the Noon launch event began, Jorge setup and supported a special morning event for Cub Scout Pack 135, Roswell Georgia. The Pack launched seventy-four rockets into a chilly morning sky. By Noon as the Cub Scouts were wrapping up, our regular club members began arriving at the field and preparing their rockets. The day warmed up and the winds became varied from light to moderate and kept mostly directed down the length of the field. During the afternoon fourteen participants launched fifty-three rockets, spools, and spinners.
Lee Childers flew a unique Apogee Gyro Chaser that performed very well on multiple A10-3T flights and had a sleek scratch-built Mach1 that saw two launches on a C11-3 and one on a D12-5 all launched from a special built rail guide. Roy Green loaded-up the pads with very unique looking designs including Odd’l Rockets Pigasus, New Way’s Geometric, and FlisKits Praetor all powered by B4-2s. Dave dusted-off his Estes Vega from the 1970s and sent it up on a beautiful flight with a B6-4. Hunter successfully flew and retrieved a two stage Estes Solar Flare on a B6-0 booster and a A3-4T sustainer. Event Photos
Engine ignition counts (does not include Cub Scout launches):
1/2A – 3
A – 18
B – 20
C – 6
D – 4
E – 6
Oct 14, 2017
On a very comfortable Fall day there were thirty-four participants who came out to launch 109 rockets at the SoAR October 14th Mill Springs Launch Event. There was a steady pace of rockets being placed on the pads throughout the event and a very interesting variety of scale and sport models both large and teeny tiny as well as new and old.
Those who came out to watch the action got thrilled by Steve Bellio’s Estes Partizon roaring off the pad on a F44-4W and John Phelps Estes Mammoth powered by a E20-4. Kevin Scholberg’s Art Applewhite 10” Saucer on a F15-0 was another crowd pleaser as was the return of his 7.5 foot tall Estes Dude that went somewhat skyward somewhat sideward on a D12-3.
On a smaller note we had Justin Moore’s Estes Mosquito doing a disappearing act on a 1/2A3-4T, and even smaller were the tiny Micromax rockets that Kevin showcased. Ron Stancil brought out and flew a very nice selection of small scale models like the Edmonds Gemini, Mercury Redstone, and one beautiful flight of his scratch-built Little Joe on a B6-4. Ron also successfully flew and recovered an Estes Mini Comanche 3 on an A10-0T/A10-0T/A3-4T three stage boost. Another standout was John Lawrence’s Thrustline Arapahoe E that he flew on a C11-5.
The event also included a contest held by Coyote Rocketry (participants predicting altitudes for two launches of an Estes Photon Disruptor flown on a D21-4T).
Check out some of the action in these event photos.
Motor Ignition Count:
- Micromax – 1
- 1/4A – 2
- 1/2A – 2
- A – 22
- B – 30
- C – 33
- D – 11
- E – 11
- F – 3
Sep 23, 2017
At SoAR’s first 2017 Fall launch in Dawsonville we had thirty-seven participants launch 112 rockets. Light easterly winds, a few puffy clouds, and summertime temperatures made for ideal conditions to encourage many to reach for the highest altitudes at our mid-power field. Bill provided and also setup a new sound system which proved to be very effective in keeping the participants and spectators well informed of all activities out on the pads.
Some of those soaring highest were Frank Patton’s Estes Ascender two stage flight powered by F15-0 to E8-7 combination, Kevin Scholberg’s Dee Dee Ramone launching with a D12-0 booster then sustained by a D12-7, Allison Cooksey launched a two stage Estes Flying Colors on a D12-0 to C6-7, and Bob Taylor also used this same combination for his Estes Firestorm.
From a craftsman perspective Monica flew her scratch-built and steampunked Steampipe successfully on a G77 and scratch built and battle-ready Suraco on a G79W. Lee Childers won a design contest with his outstanding recreation of the Estes Black Hole Space Probe that he flew on a C6-3. Joe Burley brought out a Mad Cow Cheese spool shaped vehicle and entertained us with a rare Estes Death Star that, by design, breaks apart at apogee.
Thanks to Coyote Rocketry who arrived to provide those most often needed supplies to keep rockets launching and rocketeers hydrated. At the end of the event a few rumbles of thunder in the mountains to the north accompanied the take-down crew and put a fitting end to a very successful launch event. Event Photos
Motor ignition counts:
- 1/2A – 1
- A – 9
- B – 9
- C – 31
- D – 14
- E – 27
- F – 16
- G – 9
Sep 9, 2017
The September 9th Mill Springs Launch had twenty-seven participants launch eighty-one rockets. Comfortable temperatures and sunny blue skies prevailed throughout the event; although there were gusty winds, these were directed down the length of the field which kept almost all recoveries just an easy walk.
Most participants took few risks with reasonable motor selections, but not all. Lee Childers took an Estes Alpha III to maximum altitude with a D10-5 and then brisk upper-level winds proceeded to take the little Alpha far afield. Glenn Harper also considered his LOC Graduator expendable and selected a G74-6 for its thrilling ride and a long drift down to the lower edge of the field just out of reach. With better success Kevin Scholberg fired off his LOC Arcas powered by a F44-4w and Steve Bellio had his Raven launched with a F50-4T. We also enjoyed seeing James fire off his three-stage Estes Mini Commanche with a successful recovery. These were great spectator launches.
Also of interest were some older rockets making their way back out to the field. Kevin Scholberg launched a Centuri Mercury Redstone on a C6-3 and his Estes Sizzler Classic (rear chute ejection worked wonderfully) on a C6-3. Roy Green loaded a scratch built Mercury Little Joe on the pad and launched it with a C6-3 as well. It was a very successful day with lots of other cool stuff to watch as always. Event Photos by Kevin Boyd
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A – 2
- A – 13
- B – 24
- C – 22
- D – 12
- E – 7
- F – 2
- G – 1
