Launch Reports

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

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)

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

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

Those arriving at the field early for setup found low clouds and moderate drizzle, but after a brief delay the morning began to brighten and by the event scheduled start time the conditions needed for a day of mid-power thrills were in play.  Activity picked-up slowly as mild winds and very comfortable temperatures encouraged more rocketeers to arrive and more powerful rockets to be placed out on the pads.  By midday the sun made a few appearances.  For this event there were a total of sixteen participants launching 79 rockets.

Getting down to business with some great mid-powered flights was Tony Paridon with his scratch-built Miss Riley going up on a G78 and his scratch-built Cherokee powered with a G74.  Tony used a Jolly Logic chute release set for 300’ on almost all his seven total mid-powered launches with good results.  Nate got in an impressive flight with his Estes Leviathan on a G40 which was also recovered with the help of a chute release.  Keeping things quite interesting were the four launches by Michael Bright with slow decent helicopter recoveries, his Estes Super Orbital Transport and its parasitic glider performing well and an Estes MIRV that launches on a B6-0 booster and then, while in flight, igniting three separate rockets each powered by A10s.

Some pictures from the event can be found [here]

Motor ignition counts:
A – 14
B – 10
C – 23
D – 20
E – 15
F – 4
G – 3

For the May 13^th launch event at Mill Springs Academy the early morning began with overcast skies from lifting fog, but a high enough cloud deck to begin launching at the scheduled 9:00 event start time.  Field conditions were excellent for the launching area, but a bit challenging in the recovery area due to waist-high grass in many areas.  Within the first hour the launch pads became quite busy.  Keith Frazier arrived with doughnuts and drinks for those needing refreshments.  As the day progressed there were very light winds through mid-day which allowed for straight-up launch rods and many recoveries quite near the pads.  For this event there were forty-two total participants launching 156 rockets.

Of special interest were the launches with multiple engines (clusters) like John Lawrence’s Estes Thunderstar (X Prize) with two Quest A6s for power, which he launched twice.  Kevin Scholberg had a scratch-built Q-Jet Burner with two D16s and his scratch-built SIBHOD (SB) that was powered by a four cluster of two D12s and two C11s.  Otherwise there were a variety of scale and sport models, different modes of recovery, parasitic gliders, older models getting some dust knocked-off and many newer rockets going up for the first time like Jorge’s Super Mars Snooper powered by a C11 that had a wonderful flight and easy recovery.  And last but not least, well maybe the least was the mighty launch of Ray Lecture’s Mini Goblin on a micro motor (and yes… recovered).

Some picture from the event [here].

Motor ignition count:
Micro – 1
A – 54
B – 35
C – 43 plus two static tests
D – 27
E – 1
F – 1

For the March 25^th launch event at Dawsonville there were forty-eight participants launching 127 rockets including many students from Fulton Science Academy participating in the American Rocketry Challenge (TARC).  This was SoAR’s Roy Green memorial launch to honor one of our key founding members, model rocket historian, and award-winning website developer and operator of the SoAR website.  Roy passed away late last year.

The weather at the time of range setup was overcast but clearing.  By the event’s start time, blue sky was beginning to break through, and the forecasted stiff winds had yet to arrive.  For the next few hours, those coming early had excellent conditions for launching their mid-powered rockets.  Many of these flights were made in memory of Roy Green with rockets painted green or those actually built by Roy.

Kevin Scholberg launched an Estes Alpha III on a neck snapping D21 just as Roy had done at Kevin’s first SoAR launch event.  He also sent up other Roy-built rockets throughout the day including a beautiful New Way Geometric with a C6, a Flistkits Preator with a C6, a Semroc Launch Magazine on a B6, and an Estes Pershing 1A Maxi Brute powered by an E18 – and many others.  Chris launched an Estes Cherokee for Roy Green with an E12.  Jeff Fellman brought a Mad Cow Mini DX that went up on an E26 for his memorial flight, Ray Lecture launched his Estes ‘Roy Green’ on a C6, and David Cain scratch-built a Unicon that uses a very unique break-apart recovery system (Roy would have loved this).  The Unicon was launched twice on a C11 and then a D12.  There were many other “Green” themed rockets launched throughout the event.

Another special part of the Roy Green Memorial launch was a contest for a ‘Green’ rocket that best personifies Roy Green.  These special contest rockets were laid out on a table for viewing and mid-event there was a call to cheer out loudest for a favorite and declare a winner.  The winning rocket was Rainbow by Rayna who won an Aerotech Mean Green for her entry.  Congratulations Rayna!

During the last few hours of the event, the forecasted gusty winds finally arrived, and activity began to slow down (other than a few final flights by those willing to take up the challenge and do some walking for their recoveries).  Chris Lucas put his green-themed LOC Goblin up on a G76 with parachute tethered until 200′ and was successful in having beautiful flight and an easy recovery. All-in-all it was an enjoyable day and one that truly honored a respected and much-missed SoAR member. Some event photos [here].

Motor ignition count:
A – 19
B – 21
C – 35
D – 17
E – 18
F – 15
G – 2

The March 11^th launch event at Mill Springs Academy began on a slightly chilly morning with a moderate wind primarily from the west, but as the day progressed the warming sun provided for  a comfortable afternoon.  The wind direction became more variable adding a bit of challenge at times but overall kept most recoveries safely downfield.  Activity on the launch pads was busy during the middle period of the day with thirty participants and 109 total launches accomplished (and one ground test).

Many families were in attendance which added a lot of youthful enthusiasm to every rocket launched and for those more experienced there was plenty of unique events (like chuff-chuff-chuffing and dramatic flight trajectories) to make the day interesting.  Two two-stage launches and recoveries were accomplished successfully by Jim with his Estes Checkmate on a pairing of A10-0 booster to 1/2A3 sustainer and Chris with an Estes Load Star II flown with B6-0 to B6-4.  Xavier Tyx tempted fate with his Estes Mean Machine powered by an E12-4 which achieved an impressive altitude, and then landed gently on the far end of the field to much applause. On a sad note, Dave Fountain’s beautifully constructed and finished Aerotech Strong Arm took a majestic and thunderous ascent on a F24 but came down out of reach and will hopefully be recovered later.

A special thanks to Joe Blanco for making this launch possible by bringing out all the launch and safety equipment while Jorge was away and to Terry Bliss, Tom Thurmond, and Jeff Fellman for supporting LCO and RSO duties.  Another recognition and thanks must go to Chris Lucas who performed many tree rescues in some very prickly situations (putting smiles back on rocketeer’s faces – young and old).  There was also great support for setup and takedown of the equipment which all together helped make this event go very smoothly.

Here are a few photos from the event.

Motor ignition count:
A – 27
B – 33
C – 36
D – 16
E – 2
F – 1