Launch Reports

On a typical midsummer day where relentless heat and humidity came early and spent the day at the July 8th Mill Springs Launch Event there were thirty-seven rocket enthusiasts ready to launch ninety-one rockets and saucers. We had many first-timers who braved the heat to come out and watch, learn, and participate in an exciting day of rocketry.

Of special interest was Gabe’s version of Robert Goddard’s “Nell”.  From history (March 16, 1926), Goddard’s rocket rose just 41 feet during a 2.5-second flight that ended 184 feet away in a cabbage field. Gabe’s Nell had a similar albeit shortened flight on a B6-4 (minus the cabbage patch). His Sputnik on a A10-3T and scratch built Gyroc (flown by Chris) on a A8-3 performed very nicely. Steve Bellio had an impressive flight of his PML Amraam 2 on a F42-4T and got everyone’s attention with the Pyramid of Doom flown with a G75-4M but I believe this time will be remaining at field for now. Glenn Harper also had an outstanding flight of his LOC “Expendable” on a F36 which arrived back safely mid-field while Keith Frazier took an Estes Mammoth and built a F15-0/F15-8 chad for a one-way flight path somewhere way west.

From a craftsman standpoint we were wowed by Kevin Boyd’s beautifully detailed Xarconian Cruiser that was flown successfully on a C6-3 and Sara C. flew a nicely decorated Princess Rocket on a B6-4 that went straight off the pad and easily recovered. Eric Wilfert’s DRM (Der Red Max) was also impressive on the pad and got a good workout with five flights on B6-4s and B4-2s.  Event Photos by Kevin Boyd

Motor Ignition Counts:

• 1/4A – 1
• A – 21
• B – 35
• C – 24
• D – 4
• E – 2
• F – 4
• G – 1

Light winds and summertime temperatures helped bring out thirty-six participants to launch 123 rockets at the SoAR June Launch event at Mill Springs. Activity at the pads was steady throughout the day. Jacob Schwartz filled the skies with rocket boosted gliders by launching his Estes Astron Skydart II with a C6-3 and a B6-2 as well as a simultaneous launch of his Fliskits Tri-Glide (three gliders) on a C6-5 and an Estes Shuttle Express (two gliders) on a C6-3. Steve Bellio got his LOC EZI-65 to roar off the pad with a G75-4M, got in two flights of his Estes Partizon with F44-4Ws, and sent his 9” Pyramid of Doom downfield on a G77-4R. Kevin Boyd flew his LOC Star Fighter on a E30-4 and his Estes QCC Explorer on a D12-5 – always beautiful going up.

Coyote Rocketry was in attendance to help keep everyone in good supply of engines and to provide refreshment for the many participants and family members who got thirsty. During this event we also had a Bullpup contest that had some outstanding entries and was judged for overall construction detail and accuracy as well as a required successful flight and recovery (needs write-up).

Check out these event photos by Kevin Boyd

Motor ignition counts:

• 1/2A – 4
• A – 6
• B – 60
• C – 31
• D – 15
• E – 2
• F – 3
• G – 2

The May 27th Dawsonville Launch Event had twenty-five participants launch sixty-two rockets.  The field having received plentiful rain in the preceding weeks was in healthy growth mode, which although beautiful in a nature-loving way, made some recoveries search and rescue missions.  Some of the highlights included Andrew Robinson’s heads-up Grits Blitz (scratch-built from round grits containers) which was attempted on a B6-4 (too long of a delay), a C6-3 (oops… unstable), and finally successful on a B6-2.  For mid-power excitement, there was Lee Childers’ Estes Goblin going up on an E9-8, David Sleeman’s Estes Leviathan sent up on a G40-7W, and Jeff Eshbaugh’s Estes Argent powered by a G76-7G.  We also enjoyed seeing some rare models such as Ken Frye’s Shrox Stiletto flown on a D12-5 and his Estes Exo-skell on a D12-3.  Event Photos

Motor Ignition counts were as follows:

• 1/2A – 1
• A – 4
• B – 16
• C – 13
• D – 14
• E – 10
• F – 2
• G – 2

Amazing.  The April 22nd SoAR Launch Event at Dawsonville celebrating the club’s 20 years had fifty-five participants launching 157 rockets at a steady pace throughout the entire day.  Gusting winds were a constant challenge, but that did not matter to those eager to load their rockets on the launch pads.  Atlanta Classical Academy brought an excited group of young rocketeers with scores of Apogee Payloaders going up on B6-4s and a few more advanced Madcow Little John rockets blasting skyward on G77-4s.  Kevin Reichert pulled off an amazing feat by launching an Estes Comanche on stages D12-0, C6-0, C6-7 and making recovery after a long walk.

Spectacular.  For the birthday celebration for Herb Belins, the field owner, we had all attendees sing a happy birthday wish to Herb and then all eyes were on Kevin Scholberg’s 33 cones launching all at once on A8-3s, B6-4s, and C6-5s for an impressive and colorful volley.  Keith Frasier of Coyote Rocketry provided an amazing BBQ lunch for the entire group that included truly awesome pork BBQ, hamburgers, side portions and even a giant birthday cookie for everyone’s sweet tooth.

Incredible.  The generosity of Keith Frasier was also apparent in the many rocket kits that were donated for raffling off throughout the day to many excited winners young and old (or umm… less young).  Special thanks also go out to all of those who helped take down the field launch equipment at the end of the day.  It was a very successful launch event and a wonderful way to celebrate SoAR’s 20th Anniversary.  Event Photos by Kevin Boyd

Motor Ignition Counts:
1/2A – 2
A – 21
B – 55
C – 34
D – 14
E – 18
F – 5
G – 12

The April Mill Springs Launch event had a great turnout with thirty-nine participants launching a total of 144 rockets in to blue skies with a few wispy Cirrus clouds.  It was picture perfect day of sun, mild temperatures and light to sometimes moderate winds at field level and light upper level winds.  Rockets were launched at a steady pace throughout the afternoon providing lots of action and an excellent variety of rockets, saucers, and spools.

Steve Bellio and Glenn Harper gave the spectators great mid-power excitement with Glenn’s Mirage on a G74-6W and Steve’s LOC EZI-65 powered by a G77-4R plus the 9” Pyramid of Doom on a F27-4R.  We also got to see Jim Cain having great success with his Semroc Mars Lander on a C6-5 and Jacob Schwartz ‘s flight on his Estes Shuttle Express on a C6-3 with twin gliders that perform very well as did his Estes STM-012 flown with a E9-4 on one of its three flights.  Roy Green flew his Quest DC-Y Space Clipper on a C6-3 and Matthew Huggins successfully flew his Estes Mammoth for the first time on a F15-6 with awesome results, reloaded and sent it up again.

Coyote Rocketry gave away an Estes Nike Smoke and an Estes Nike X by drawing names from the flight cards.  It was a very good turnout and a great day to enjoy rocketry.  View photos from the event

Motor Ignition Counts:
1/2A – 2
A – 30
B – 32
C – 59
D – 17
E – 8
F – 3
G – 3

For the March Dawsonville launch we had twelve participants launch sixty-three rockets into partly cloudy skies.  Once again we were challenged with winds that were gusting heavily later in the day, but during more moderate periods we saw many mid-power launches.  Jeff Eshbaugh sent his LOC Viper III up on a cluster of three E9-6s and his Estes Argent skyward on a F15-6.

We saw an impressive launch of Kevin Scholberg’s Estes Saturn V on an E28-4T and his brightly colored Estes Scion on a F42-4T.  Top shot goes to Steve Bellio who brought out his LOC Mothership (Heavy Duty Beauty) and used a G71-7R to send it streaking off the launch pad.  Tethered chute releases on Steve’s launches kept recoveries less of an inconvenience.  Alan L. also used this technique successfully on his scratch-built Soft Iron and Launch Pad Bolo, both powered by E30-7s.

Coyote Rocketry attended the event and sponsored a give-away drawing for an Estes Bull Pup 12D kit and launched three Estes Crayons on C6-5s for youngsters to retrieve and then own.  Lots of smiles!  Additional Launch Photos

Motor Ignition Counts:
A – 10
B – 13
C – 19
D – 10
E – 14
F – 3
G – 2

The March Mill Springs Launch event had thirty participants launch ninety-six rockets.  The early afternoon hours provided the best time for launching as winds were light at both higher altitudes and at field level.  Coyote Rocketry attended the event and provided rocket kits as giveaways to lucky participants whose flight cards were randomly drawn.  The event saw some interesting motor clusters being tried by Jack Bentley with his Estes X Prize Starchaser Industries Thunderstar on two A8-3s, Jim Cain’s Semroc Defender on three B6-4s, Steve Bellio’s TMRK Aries attempted on four C11-3s although two of the motors appeared to have malfunctioned, and Kevin Scholberg’s LOC Starbright with a pair of D12-3s.

We enjoyed watching multiple flights of Jacob Schwartz’s Estes Quinstar and the scratch-built creations brought out by Kevin Scholberg including his Cosmic Wedgie flown with a E28-4T.  We also had Semroc Mars Landers flown by Jim Cain and Tom Thurmond successfully on C6-3s.  There was a thrilling drag race between Maddy’s Estes Purple Crayon and Sara’s Silver Crayon each flown on C6-5s.  Late in the day as the cloud deck lowered and a few rain drops appeared with stronger chilly winds, the event ended a bit early.  Event Photos by Kevin Boyd
Motor ignition counts:

• 1/2A – 4
• A – 11
• B – 34
• C – 32
• D – 13
• E – 7
• F – 0
• G – 2

On a mild but cloudy and sometimes breezy February afternoon thirty-seven participants accomplished a total of 123 flights at the Mill Springs launch.  With the wind direction holding steady down the length of the field many were not discouraged in attempting maximum low power altitudes even if it meant a bit of a walk to recover.  Those who came to observe were not disappointed.  Once again, Steve Bellio provided some mid-power excitement with his LOC EZI-65 authoritatively launched with a G74-6W and was also successful in launching his LOC Heavy Duty Beauty (mothership) with a cluster consisting of an E15-4 supplemented with six C11s (two staged) – it worked beautifully, but not sure how.  The crowd applauded.  Future aerospace tycoon Oliver Long sent his Estes Argent up on an E16-4 and Kevin Scholberg launched an Estes Nike Smoke on an E16-4 – a fun to watch scale model.  There were many other excellent flights and breath-holding moments.  The day of launches went smoothly and at a steady pace with many families providing encouragement and emotional support for the few rockets that will be staying behind at the field.
Motor ignition counts:

• 1/2A – 10
• A – 20
• B – 49
• C – 32
• D – 10
• E – 8
• F – 3
• G – 1

Event Photos provided by Kevin Boyd

Despite the brisk January winds, we had fourteen participants launch twenty-seven rockets. It was a day well suited for streamers and tethered parachutes to help make recoveries less troublesome. And although all rockets were eventually retrieved the winds certainly carried a few that were riding down on parachutes far afield, especially for those who reached for higher altitudes. Still, there were some impressive flights like Tom Thurmond’s Estes Argent launched with a F42, Brody Patton’s Maxi Alpha on a F44-4W, Alan Luebs’ scratch-built Soft Iron lofted by a F15-7, and Frank Patton’s Aerotech Initiator on a F15-7. I was also amused by Jack Bentley’s Garbage Rocket (dishwashing soap bottle with fins?) on a C6-3. Due to the unrelenting winds, the event wrapped up early. A special note of appreciation to all of those who helped take down the launch equipment.

Motor ignition counts:

• A – 2
• B – 4
• C – 8
• D – 7
• E – 2
• F – 4

Additional Event Photos

On a most incredibly warm and almost windless January afternoon forty participants and many supporting family members enjoyed a very active event where 108 rockets were launched. Throughout the day there was steady activity that included many first-time flights and first-time flyers. I particularly enjoyed a good number of scale models especially SpaceX Falcon 9 models by David Cain and Jose Morales – and on the same day that a full-scale SpaceX Falcon rocket successfully blasted off from California and successfully touched down on a platform in the Pacific Ocean. Our slightly less sophisticated versions came down by parachute. Tom Thurmond stuck a perfect landing with his Semroc Mars Lander Phoenix although there was immense drama as the parachute ejection delayed until the last possible split second (see the video below). There were also many other interesting flights such as Roy Green’s Quest DC-X and Steve Bellio’s Pyramid of Ugly, Pyramid of Gloom, and his 9” Pyramid flown with authority on a G75-4M. It was a beautiful day with a large turnout and with plenty of action for all of those who made it out.

Motor Ignition counts:

• 1/2A – 2
• A – 9
• B – 44
• C – 29
• D – 18
• E – 12
• F – 1
• G – 1

Additional Event Photos