Launch Reports

We managed to eek out fifty flights Saturday at Mill Springs Academy, despite all the wind from the back-side of Hurricane Matthew.

A scout troop came out early before the winds really got started, and they provided the majority of the flights for the day, flying a lot of Estes CrossFires and Estes Comet Chasers on a variety of motors from A to C, and got most of them back, by jumping the trees to the south and using that field as the recovery area.

The launch was notable in that almost all flyers were newbies (to our launches, at least), though David Sleeman and son Michael stopped by to make a couple of flights. William Bercini drove up from Macon to help Roy out with running the launch.  Lee Childers was one of the first timers, though he’s obviously got some building skills as he showed off a nice Mercury Redstone with detail wrap from Accur8.com (Understandably, Lee wasn’t willing to fly that beautiful model in yesterday’s wind!), and flew a couple of rockets decorated for his daughter including a Der Pink Max decorated with a Hello Kitty skull and crossbones!

Gabriel brought out a box of odd-rocs including a Sputnik, a Dare To Be Square, and a Vortico or two, and Lee Miller flew his Applewhite Priority Stealth.  Just the types of rockets to fly in higher winds for assured recovery.

Here are the motor counts:

• 1/2A – 2
• A – 14
• B – 18
• C – 13
• D – 1
• E – 2

Join us in two weeks for a launch at the Ball Ground field, where hopefully the winds will be less and we’ll be able to get some high altitudes.

At the September 10th Mill Springs launch event we had twenty-one participants launch ninety-one rockets at a steady pace into the warm sunny sky. Moderate breezes were mostly favorable and did not complicate most recoveries although unfortunately, a few models remained at high perch. Some very talented craftsmen brought their sleek creations for first flight and we also saw some rockets that had been stored for many decades back out on the pads. A 1974 vintage Estes Vega was launched by Dave on a B6-4 and Roy Green brought an Estes Juno-1 / Jupiter-C (late 1980s vintage) and installed a C6-3 for flight. Jose Morales Jr. came with his beautiful scale models that were viewed at the last club meeting on Thursday and all flown on C and D engines. We also saw David Tripp fly his Century Hustler on a F27-4R and Kevin Boyd launched his Estes Leviathan with a E20-4. Also of profound interest was Kevin Scholberg’s “The Dude” (7.5′ tall and uses a balloon for the body) launched twice with D12-3s, and his steampunk styled “Pot Metal” also flown on a D12-3. For more action, I was wowed by Kevin Boyd’s drag race of two Baby Bertha’s streaking skyward on C6-5s and Keith Frazier’s Alphas on B6-6s. It was a fun day!
Motor ignition counts were as follows:
1/2A – 4
A – 7
B – 27
C – 34
D – 14
E – 6
F – 1

Event photos provided by Kevin Boyd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/boyd2000/albums/72157672615061451

The August 13 Launch Event at Mill Springs saw twenty participants launch a total of 107 rockets.  Activity picked up quickly with a varying moderate summer breeze and partly cloudy skies that provided some initial launch angle challenges, but as the day progressed the winds were fairly consistent directing recoveries down the length of the field.  The B6-4 provided most of the early-day boosting, but by afternoon there were many reaching for higher altitudes with C6-5s and D12-5s.  Of note there were a couple of Sputniks launching that were always fun to watch; simple design and easy recovery.  Jose Morales Jr. brought out his Redstone, his new nicely detailed Quest Future Launch Vehicle and a V2-like rocket with forward fins (see picture) that flew well but experienced a parachute ejection issue causing light damage.  Spectators also enjoyed Alex Swift’s Aerotech Initiator powered with an F15 and Herb Howe’s Art Applewhite Delta Saucer roaring off the pad on an F15-0.

Total motor ignition counts were as follows:

• 1/4A – 1
• 1/2A – 5
• A – 26
• B – 35
• C – 24
• D – 8
• E – 10
• F – 2

Special thanks to Keith Frazier who once again provided cool beverages and rocket supplies and Roy Green who provided LCO support and expert commentary throughout the hot afternoon.

Although the threat of rain and the rumble of thunder cut the event a few hours short, those who came out early enjoyed some great launches at the July 23rd Dawsonville Launch Event.  There were twenty-two participants who blasted-off a total of sixty-five rockets.  Spectators enjoyed a great variety of mid-powered rockets, cluster configurations, some well performing boost gliders, and unique helicopter recovery creations.  Remarkable mid-power flights included Kevin Boyd’s LOC IV on a G125-5 with a parachute deployment delay set for 400’ and his drag race of a Mega Red Max versus Mega Blue Max both powered by G53-5s.  Bob Nowak brought out his impressive Sirius Interrogator G and flew it on a G40-7W and Steve Bellio flew his Heavy Duty Beauty on a five cluster of one E30-7T, two D12-7s, and two C11-7s.  Kevin Scholberg launched scratch-built Whirl-A-While, Roto Crock, and Roto Moto for some very unique spinning recovery dynamics and performed two launches of his Edmunds Geminee Thunder twin boost gliders with very impressive long flights.  I also enjoyed John Chatham’s scratch-built Raven boost glider and the flight of Darrell Ritchie’s Shuttle.

Motor ignition counts were as follows:

• 1/2A – 1
• A – 5
• B – 14
• C – 21
• D – 13
• E – 10
• F – 3
• G – 6

Event Photos by Kevin Boyd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/boyd2000/albums/72157668524035514/page1/

Forty-one participants accomplished 118 total launches during the July 9th Mill Springs launch event.  Moderate winds and a high cloud deck shielding the sun for most of the morning and early afternoon kept temperatures just below the 90s and made for an enjoyable day.  Keith Frazier was back to provide cold beverages, doughnuts, and rocket supplies.  The club setup on the field early to get some cub scouts prepped, loaded, and launched.  The remainder of the day saw a steady volley of rockets by club members who brought out their favorites, beautiful scale models, and some very intriguing scratch-built creations.  I especially enjoyed watching Jose Morales’ Estes Mercury Redstone on multiple flights, Kevin Scholberg’s scratch built NLR launched with a E30-4T, and Kevin Boyd’s Mega Mosquito on a D12-3, then his Estes Leviathan on a E20-4.  Also fun to see on the pads were Jeff Eshbaugh’s Pemberton Little Bucky Jones and Kevin Scholberg’s scratch-built Pot Metal.  The motor selected most often was the B6-4.  A special thanks to David Cain for providing RSO support throughout the event.

Motor ignition counts were as follows:

• 1/2A – 3
• A – 20
• B – 45
• C – 36
• D – 9
• E – 6
• F – 1

Event Photos by Kevin Boyd: https://www.flickr.com/photos/boyd2000/sets/72157670196803181

The Mill Springs Launch event on June 11^th was attended by twenty-seven participants and their supporting family members. The sunny weather with very mild winds directed down the length of the field helped make recoveries relatively easy throughout the day.  There was a steady morning pace which slowed down in the afternoon as temperatures reached the ninety-degree mark.  By the end of the event we had accomplished 107 total launches.  Steve Bellio launched numerous mid-power rockets and pyramids like his LOC Heavy Duty Beauty on a cluster of E30-4T with two C11-5s, his amazing 9” Pyramid of Doom on a G78-4G, and Ariel on three E16-4s.  There were also many of Herb Howe’s saucers, spools, and cones, some great scale models with realistic liftoffs like Tom Thurmond’s Estes Mercury Redstone on a C6-3 and Kris Bravo’s Space X Falcon 9s going up on D12-5s.

Motor ignition counts were as follows:

• A – 23
• B – 41
• C – 26
• D – 12
• E – 8
• F – 4
• G – 1

Special thanks to Keith Frazier for keeping us all hydrated with cold beverages on a hot summer afternoon!

Although gusty winds had to be factored in on launch angles and recovery planning we had twenty-three participants come out to enjoy a beautiful sunny blue-sky day and accomplished ninety-two launches.  To accommodate the winds there were many streamers and tumble recoveries put to good use.  There were also many unique rockets including a Russian theme that brought the return of Dan’s Sputnik Too and Lee Miller’s Ruskie.  Felton had great success with multiple flights and recovery of his two stage Estes Astron Ellipitic II and the ever marvelous Purple Murple.  Herb Howe launched his Saucer 29mm on a G53-5 that roared loudly skyward while Jeff Eshbaugh launched his three stage Fliskits Trifecta on three A10-0Ts and Kevin Scholberg Fliskits two stage Frick and Frack performed well as did his Aerotech Initiator on an E30-4T (later successfully recovered from a tree).  John Chatham launched his Deuces Wild with two B6-4s taking it quickly off the launch pad and Jim Cain had an awesome flight of his Estes Mean Machine lofted by a E9-6.  Also of note was David Cain’s scale model of the Little Joe II launched with a B6-4.  There were many great launches to enjoy at this event.

Find Event Photos here!

Motor ignition counts were as follows:

• 1/4A – 1
• 1/2A – 7
• A – 33
• B – 31
• C – 14
• D – 4
• E – 7
• F – 2
• G – 1

The April 23rd SoAR launch at Dawsonville was held under sunny skies with steady winds and mild temperatures.  Against a scenic backdrop of rolling pasture lands and the north Georgia mountains more than forty-five participants launching 129 rockets into the blue skies.  We saw six cluster launches; one of these was Jeff Eshbaugh’s LOC Viper III that contained three E9-6s for a spectacular flight.  Other remarkable flights were Steve Bellio’s Pyramid Rocketry 9” Pyramid lofted by a G75-4M and his LOC EZI-65 powered by a G79-4W.  Glenn Harper launched an Aerotech Mirage on a F59.  I also enjoyed watching Marcus’ Estes Condor with two parasitic gliders, one gliding far afield and Ron Stancil up-scaled a Gyroc and flew it on a C6-3.  The most unique scratch-built rocket was “Hairy Situation” launched by Jay Hargis.  For this event the total engine ignition count was as follows:

• A – 12
• B – 18
• C – 39
• D – 25
• E – 26
• F – 18
• G – 2

Link to some additional event photos here.

Finally, weather did not impact our launch event at Mill Springs as it did the previous two months.  It turned out to be a warm day with moderate winds that calmed by midafternoon.  Twenty-four participants launched a total of 102 rockets, pyramids, saucers, gizmos, and an hour glass by the end of the day.  Crosswinds created some difficult recoveries and a few sacrifices for those choosing to reach higher altitudes, but overall the day provided much enjoyment and spectator action.

Motor ignition counts were as follows:

1/4A – 1
1/2A – 5
A – 26
B – 20
C – 23
D – 16
E – 10
F – 2

Additional photos provided by Kevin Boyd: Photos from Mill Springs March Launch