Launch Reports

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

The February 6^th launch event at Lilly was held under mostly cloudy skies with brisk moderate winds.  The midwinter chill did not deter twenty-one hardy participants who were encouraged by the large open field to launch ninety-three rockets.  Motor ignition counts were as follows:

• 1/2A – 1
• A – 0
• B – 7
• C – 23
• D – 16
• E – 15
• F – 18
• G – 8
• H – 8
• I – 6
• J – 2
• K – 2

The many mid to high-power rockets were thrilling to watch (and hear) while all eyes anxiously monitored the dual deployment used on many of these larger rockets.  Glenn Harper had a spectacular launch of his Polecat Aerospace Woket on a J244.  Mario had an awesome flight with his larger CTI K-powered Horizon (4.8 second burn) and Paul Farmer flew his LOC Phantom on a K500 Red.  T.J. Frishe launched his Madcow Minion Missile with a J270-W.  Chris Short provided a demo of the Jolly Logic Chute Release on a PML Phobos lofted by a H250G.  The device worked perfectly. 

Kevin Scholberg brought out an assortment of unique paradigm-changing creations that were fun to watch; the scratch-built Shining Star being my favorite.  Also of note was Eric Bessman’s Aerotech Arreaax (pronounced “Arrow”) with onboard GPS and HD camera powered by a G64W-10.  David Barber brought out a nicely finished Space X Falcon 9 Cargo and Tom Thurmond wowed us with a not so perfect flight of his Semroc Mars Lander but the stuck-landing brought out much applause.  So much more to mention, but need to get this posted today.  Some additional photos here.

Every now and then you get to a launch and the weather is prefect. Not too hot, not too windy…just perfect. Saturday December 12th was one of those days. Almost no wind and temperatures in the low 70’s. Two groups of Cub Scouts came out so the launch got hopping early on. Steve Bellio and David Cain both flew on “G” impulse motors to make liars out of those who say that Mill Springs is strictly a low power field.

Many thanks to the Scouts Leaders who bring their Scouts to our launches. It is fun, but it’s also work…..THANKS!

The motor breakdown is as follows:

• ¼A – 2
• ½A – 1
• A – 24
• B – 34
• C – 27
• D – 7
• E – 9
• F – 5
• G – 3

Total: 112 motors in 111 flights (one was a two-stage rocket)

The launch event held at Bert Adams Scout Camp was fortunate to have perfect November weather with very light winds, mild temperatures, and plenty of blue sky.  The field was easy to navigate and presented very few recovery challenges.  There were just over 200 launches accomplished with over one hundred total participants loading the launch pads.

T.J. Frishe helped get spectators excited with his Estes Leviathan on a F20-4.  Jim Cain brought out an interesting scratch-built X-Wing design with a 3-D printed nose cone with helicopter recovery boosted skyward on a D12-5 and also wowed the crowd with a Mean Machine on an E9-4.  Monica Helms launched her heads-up flight of the scratch-built Serenity on an F15-6 (SoAR members can see photos of this unique model in the SoAR Business Group Discussion) and the Space X Dragon on a G79W.  Kevin Scholberg brought out many Art Applewhite saucers and other unique rockets including a scratch-built Day Glow II that was eye-catching (which was fortunate for the successful tree recovery team).  Steve Bellio launched his 9” Pyramid on a F23-4FJ which was awesome to watch (twice), had a successful flight and recovery of his LOC EZI-65 on a G78-4G, and an Estes stretched-out Argent on a E30-4T.  David Fields arrived with a selection of his own designs including his three stage (D12-0, B6-0, A8-3) F-7 that arched out over the tall trees in the distance and seemed to leave earth’s orbit (okay, slight exaggeration) but was soon returned by a scout from a neighboring field.  Wow – merit badge!  David also had a great spectator flight of his F-13 R/C boost glider.

And these were just some of the standouts.

Motor ignition statistics: Six 1/2A, thirty A, seventy-nine B, fifty-four C, eleven D, nine E, eight F, and three G.

We had a super day at the Lilly launch on September 19. The weather was temperate, lower in humidity and even the gnats behaved. However, the breeze was not so compliant. Twenty-nine flyers popped off 128 flights over the course of the day.

The stats are as follows:

• ½A – 1
• A – 5
• B – 8
• C – 22
• D – 13
• E – 21
• F – 15
• G – 19
• H – 18
• I – 5
• J – 4
• K – 1

In that mix were three clusters and three staged rockets. If anybody knows which motors were used in the box of crayons, we can update the stats accordingly.

There was an interesting variety of rockets in the mix. Among the multiple drag races during the day was an eclectic match between Glenn Harper’s 24” Wocket saucer and March Briner’s upscale Applewhite Stealth powered by a J244 and an H123 respectively. Perhaps the most interesting drag race of the day was Dan Sitz’s Box of Crayons. It was a launcher filled with six crayon rockets and painted to look like, you guessed it, a crayon box. The relay in the launcher almost did the trick, igniting five of the six crayons.

Congratulations go to Tim Johnson and his Level 2 flight with his “Ready Freddy” under J240 power.

But luck was not with all flyers. The I150 in Glenn’s Superbird featured “bonus” delay that led to a less than optimal recovery. Patrick Adams discovered that an Odd’l Rockets Up Cup does not play well with a CHAD-staged C6-0/A8 combo. March’s Jupiter C because a Jupiter “2A” when the central C of the A10/C6/A10 cluster did not ignite. Tom Kinard flew, rather ignited, the only ½ A of the day. His competition-style rocket glider hung on the pad when a gust of
wind torqued the wing.

Throughout the day, Mario Panebianco operated a booth promoting breast cancer awareness. As he solicited donations to his cause, he hawked “Dudes for Boobs” t-shirts and collected signatures on his honking big Pink Journey bird. The Journey posted a thrilling flight with a K375NW motor. If you see him at a future launch, please contribute to his worthy cause.

After the launch, a small group of hungry SoAR members invaded the Sonny’s BBQ in Perry for mass consumption, plenty of gab, and eclectic humor. No surprise there.

—report from William Bercini, filling in for Jeff Coons.

Monica Helms’ video of the launch: