Dawsonville ‘Replacement’ Launch Event Report

Mar 16, 2024

At the SoAR “replacement” launch event on March 16th at Dawsonville there were twenty-six participants launching a total of eighty-four rockets.  The day started off mostly cloudy and cool but became sunnier and warmer during the afternoon.  Winds from the west were persistent but manageable with a bit of adjustment to the launch rod angle.

Some impressive flights included Chris Lucas’ LOC Goblin and his LOC IV each flown on G74-4s, Kevin Scholberg’s Estes Canadian Arrow flown twice on D12s and Jorge Blanco’s Apogee TTV back in the air powered by an E30-7 staging to a C6-7.  Although the C6-7 failed to ignite, the dual deployment recovery was successful with altimeter working as designed – the overall flight was exciting.

There were also several teams and individuals perfecting and/or qualifying for the NAR American Rocketry Challenge with scratch-built designs powered by F15s, F23s and F42s.  The day ended with a great flight put in by The Flying Nuggets team with their “Happy Accident” getting recovered with egg intact after a straight-up flight on a F15-6.

Some pictures from the event [here]

Motor Ignition Counts:
A – 4
B – 13
C – 36
D – 16
E – 11
F – 11
G – 2

February Dawsonville Launch Event Report

Feb 24, 2024

The wind was fierce and unrelenting; but nonetheless, there were thirty-three participants who arrived at the February 24^th launch event at Dawsonville ready for the challenge.  By the end of the event there were sixty-two launches accomplished.  Although many chose streamer recovery (wisely), there were still some very long recovery walks.

Some of the highlights included James Richter’s Apogee Astrobee D (“Gone with the Wind #2”) flight on a G77-7R with dual parachute recovery.

A group of students came with Apogee Aspire rockets which were flown on E24-7C and F67-9W motors.  These flights cut through the wind at high speed and reached remarkable altitudes for mid-powered models.  Recoveries were by streamers, but still challenging to chase down.

Josh and Hope Finn had their sons flying qualifying flights of their J&H Aerospace Fliplocks.  These flights were powered by A3-2Ts for boost then transforming into gliders that stayed aloft for incredible flight times – and again challenging to chase down due to the strong persistent winds.

Steven B came out for the first time with his Aerotech Initiator and accomplished two successful flights on E20-4 motors.  Jonathon Hill flew his New Century Rocketry Whirlwind on a B6-0 which recovers in two parts by Maple seed helicopter action.  Jonathon also had a successful flight of his Quest Quad Runner that is powered by a cluster of four C6-5s.

That all this activity was done on a very challenging day was quite remarkable.  The wind took its toll on SoAR field equipment as speakers were blown over damaging audio cable connectors and one strong gust of wind blew the control box table over damaging an antenna.  Even launch pads were toppled bending launch rods.

If you haven’t renewed your membership (or joined) for 2024, now would be a good time to support the club. Join/Renew your membership [here].

A few event photos [here].

Motor ignition counts:
A – 16
B – 11
C – 16
D – 4
E – 14
F – 2
G – 2