Feb 9, 2024
We are “GO” for today’s launch event at Mill Springs Academy starting at 11:00. Rain should hold off until later in the afternoon. Please check back here before leaving for the event just in case the weather throws us a curveball and there is a need to cancel. The event is scheduled to run until 4:00.
This is our low power launch, where we recommend altitudes no higher than 1000′ (usually no more than D power level).
As always, the public is invited to watch, or join in!
Feb 4, 2024
The special SoAR “replacement” launch on February 3rd at Dawsonville had twenty-seven participants launch a total of ninety rockets under sunny skies. Wind gusts were a bit of an aggravation but coming from the east provided adequate recovery chances for those reaching the highest altitudes (albeit some long recovery walks).
There were many outstanding and unusual launches including Davud’s Dynasoar R/C Aurora Clipper boost glider climbing to excellent altitude on an E-6 motor then gliding for over a minute circling the field and finally coming in for a soft landing very close to where he was standing. Joshua and Hope Finn and family flew their J&H Aerospace Fliplock lite boost gliders on A3 motors for FAI Team qualifications along with their scratch-built Finn Astronaut on 1/2A3. Jorge launched his two-stage Apogee TTV that was shown at the January Rocket Talk meeting. The Timer Test Vehicle (TTV) uses a timer to ignite the second stage. This appeared to have worked as designed (see below action photographs by Kevin Boyd) but the initial stage looked like a CATO caused some damage to the body tube (hopefully repairable).
For some mid-power excitement there were some excellent flights by Allen Isdell with his LOC 4” AMRAAM powered by a G67 and his PML Carbon Monster thundering up on a G61. Ray Lecture launched his signature scratch-built 3” Goblin on a G77, Bob Taylor put a G80 in his scratch-built Magic for a dramatic flight and Glenn Harper sent up his Estes “Naked” Leviathan on an E30.
Check out the action captured by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional event photos [here]
Motor Ignition Count:
A – 35
B – 18
C – 14
D – 9
E – 8
F – 3
G – 4
Jan 30, 2024
SoAR will sponsor a ‘replacement’ launch in Dawsonville on Saturday 02/03/2024 starting at 11:00 am and ending at 4:00 pm.
It’s supposed to be Sunny with a high around 60 degrees.
The weather you can’t trust…but we’ll be there. Come on out!
1470 Eagles Perch Rd., Ball Ground, GA
SoAR’s mid-power launch. Up through G motors permitted. Much higher altitudes can be obtained here, though you may have to deal with the cows and their patties to get your rockets back!
Jan 25, 2024
The weather forecast for the January 27th launch event at Dawsonville is calling for a day of rain. The event has been cancelled.
Jan 14, 2024
SoAR’s first launch event of the year was held at Mill Springs Academy on January 13th. What began as a cold blustery morning turned out to be quite a good day of rocketry (if dressed appropriately – and most were). For this launch event there were twenty-two participants launching fifty-seven rockets into a sunny blue sky with brisk winds at the surface and at altitude. Launch angles were key for successful recovery, but a somewhat favorable wind direction helped keep most rockets recoverable down field and out of trouble (but always a few unfortunate exceptions)
With participation peaking just after noon, there was a need to add an additional set of launch pads to accommodate enthusiastic rocketeers. Some of the highlights included unique designs by Kevin Scholberg like the scratch-built Captain America Shield that was powered by a cluster of three D11-Ps. Fulton Science Academy launched their scratch-built Metro Boomin on a F15-4 which almost made it back to the field but ultimately required Jorge’s recovery expertise to unsnag from a tree limb. For testing in preparation for American Rocketry Challenge Davud and Austin launched a scratch-built In Thrust we Trust with a D12-3 to gain some design experience.
By 2:00 participation had waned considerably and the event wrapped-up a bit early. Some pictures [here].
Motor ignition count:
A – 21
B – 18
C – 12
D – 5
E – 2
F – 1
