October Dawsonville Launch Report

Oct 28, 2023

Against a beautiful backdrop of vibrant Fall colors, we had thirty-two participants launch 117 rockets under blue skies at the October 28^th SoAR launch event in Dawsonville.  There was a lot of mid-power action as mild winds and warm sunny skies encouraged larger rockets and more powerful mid-power engines to be put out on the pads.

There were many multi-stage and cluster engine powered flights keeping things interesting.  Notable examples include Jorge’s scratch-built Trouble Times Seven with (of course) seven D12-5s making for a spectacular flight.  Ron Hender powered his Estes Saturn V with four C6-0s clustered around an E12-4 to accomplish a more realistic looking ascent with all engines ignited. Then there was Kevin Scholberg’s LOC 429 SS that he sent up on a pair of D12-0s and a pair of E12-4s.

Halloween themed rockets were also present with many Goblins like Ray Lectures scratch-built 3” Goblin that thundered up on a G77 and then used dual-deploy for recovery.  Also in this theme was Barry Savory’s LOC Goblin launched on a G74.  The most disgusting example of spooky rocketry were the bonus entrails spilling out of Kevin Scholberg’s scratch-built Halloween Hellraiser that screeched skyward on a cluster of two D12-5s and then his drag racing three scratch-built Webs of Terror on E12 and F15.

All-in-all this event had a great turn-out with lots of action, drama, beautiful rockets, and flights to admire.  Event photos by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional event photos [here]. AND definitely check out this excellent video of the launch by Nicolai Jordan [here].

Engine ignition counts:
A – 7
B – 16
C – 32
D – 39
E – 23
F – 12
G – 7

October Mill Springs Launch Event Report

Oct 14, 2023

At the October 14^th Mill Springs Academy launch event, what began as a gloomy early morning for range setup became an excellent day for launching rockets as blue sky finally made an appearance and just in time to view (with viewing glasses) and appreciate the solar eclipse that was also occurring that day.  But what was most spectacular, the attendees were treated with a free-for-a-smile lunch of fresh-off-the-grill hamburgers and hotdogs provided generously by Keith Frazier and his brother.  All of this made the day go by quickly and by the end of the event, we had twenty-one participants launch sixty-nine rockets.

The field conditions were much improved due to a recent bush-hogging over a large portion of the field, although a bit of high-stepping was still required over some grass clumps.  Overall though, this made most on-the-field recoveries much easier.

Some of the highlights included Robert Harris’ Cool Spool that roared up off the pad on a G76-4G – quite a sight.  He also entertained us with his New Way Square in the Air on D16-8 that chuffed-chuffed dramatically down field – both times.  Barry Savoy accomplished an awesome flight of his Estes Super Bertha – Air Force Version on a D22-4W.  Jorge got to fly his Polecat (rocket formally known as Prince) on an F50-4 and Kevin Scholberg had a number of spectacular flights including his Estes Argent on an E16-4.  Fulton Science Academy Rocket Club was in attendance and got some flights in near the end of the event as winds were starting to pick up due to approaching cold front.  All-in-all an excellent day of rocketry.  Some photos from the event [here].

Motor Ignition counts:
A – 17
B – 25
C – 16
D – 8
E – 2
F – 1
G – 1

September 9th Mill Springs Launch Report

Sep 9, 2023

At the September 9^th SoAR launch event at Mill Springs Academy there were 85 total launches accomplished by thirty-nine participants.  The Civil Air Patrol GA-045 Sandy Springs Cadet Squadron participated in today’s launch and helped with field recoveries and taking down launch equipment at the end of the event.  Weather conditions at the field were excellent for the morning with an occasional mild breeze and pleasant temperatures.  By later in the afternoon normal summertime conditions brought in some gathering rain clouds, distant thunder, and rising heat/humidity.

Some notable launches included Kevin Scholberg’s MRC Trailblazer IIB powered by a C11-3, his Estes Gyroc going up on an A8-3 and the majestic scratch-built Silver Sailor that launched on a D12-3.  Dave Tripp launched his classic Semroc Mini Explorer on a B6-4.  A thrilling launch and recovery was accomplished by Katina with an Estes Big Red Max sent up on a F23-4.

Event photos by Dave Tripp [here]

Motor Ignition Count:
A – 22
B – 30
C – 28
D – 6
E – 2
F – 2
G – 1 (cato)

July 8th Mill Springs Launch Report

Jul 8, 2023

The July 8^th Mill Springs Academy launch event was well attended with many families coming out for the first time to enjoy a summer day of rocketry.  Range setup was completed by the 9:00 event start time under very warm and humid conditions under sunny skies.  As the day progressed the moderate wind provided some relief to the rising temperatures but challenged those seeking higher altitudes to keep recoveries near the launch area where field conditions were less difficult to navigate.  By the end of the event the forecasted threat of afternoon rain never materialized allowing forty-six participants to accomplish a total of 153 launches.

Many of these were the rocket’s first flights.  Brandon Lange’s Athena was sent skyward powered by an E12 for its maiden flight and his Honest John went up on a D12 with camera.  Frank Gugert launched a unique non-symmetric design and beautifully finished Fliskits Night Whisper on a B6 for an impressive first flight.  Other spectacular first flights were made by David Lange with an Estes Red Nova going up on a D12 and his Estes Green Lightning also powered by a D12 for their first flights.

Also notable were multi-motor flights like Ron Stancil’s three stage Estes Mini Comanche III that went up on A10-0/A10-0/A10-3T and successfully recovered.  John Cooper launched (twice) his Estes Star Chaser on a pair of B6-4s and Kevin Scholberg sent up his Estes Side Kick on two A8-3s.

By the 2:00 event end time the heat and humidity was at its July peak and range take-down was accomplished by a few stalwart volunteers and the day was considered a great success.

Event Photos

Motor Ignition Counts:
A – 61
B – 40
C – 32
D – 11
E – 13

June 24th Dawsonville Launch Report

Jun 24, 2023

The launch pads stayed busy at the SoAR Dawsonville launch event on June 24^th.  Gusting winds were prevalent throughout the day and made some recoveries a bit of a walk, but also helped moderate the summer heat in the afternoon.  Clear skies in the morning encouraged an excellent turn-out with a total of thirty-six participants who accomplished 120 launches.  The parking, rocket prep, and launching area had been recently mowed which made getting to/from launch control easy and supporting family members were able to watch the action up close.

There were many great flights including those by Barry Savory who launched his LOC Goblin for its first flight on a F67 and two flights of his Apogee Zephyr Jr. on D12s.  Chris flew his Estes Der Violet Max powered by a F52 and recovered with the use of a Jolly Logic chute release set for 400 feet.  He also sent up his LOC Lil’ Hulk on an E30.  More mid-power excitement was provided by Wayne with his MAC Performance Atomic Number 29 going up with a G76 and Kevin Scholberg had his Art Applewhite Priority Stealth boosted by a G35 and an excellent scale flight of a refurbished Semroc Saturn 1B on an E28 that came from Roy’s collection.  Near the end of the event Dave Fountain placed his Pratt Hobbies B.O.B. out on the pads with a G76 for a straight-up flight to one of the day’s highest altitudes but unfortunately its recovery may not have been successful.

Launch activity stayed busy up to the very end of the event time and afterwards there were many who remained to help take down the launch equipment – very much appreciated.  Some pictures from the event can be found [here].

Motor Ignition counts:
A – 21
B – 22
C – 42
D – 24
E – 10
F – 7
G – 3