Launch Reports

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

Cold and challenging winds were constant throughout the January 14^th launch event at Mill Springs Academy, but sunny skies and some excellent flights made for a good start to a new year.  There were sixty-nine total launches accomplished by eighteen bundled up participants.  The strong winds made judging proper launch angles a bit of a lucky guess and recoveries sometimes difficult (either long walks or… well… sighs) but through it all there was much to enjoy on a winter day.

Grabbing everyone’s attention was a scratch-built pyramid style USPS rocket by Chris Lucas that was flown on an E16 and some Whirlybirds (Kevin Scholberg built) that were flown by Gavin Lucas on D12s.  Three of these going up together made for a spectacular drag race.  Jeff Fellman brought out some vintage models like his Estes Reliant, an Estes Tornado, and a Wac Corporal all flown on A8-3s.  Terry Bliss got to fly his Estes Flutter-By which streaked skyward on a B6-2 but met with unfriendly winds at apogee where it separated (as designed) in to two pieces for a tumble recovery which drifted quickly into an adjacent field.

All in all, it was a fun afternoon of SoAR rocketry and a good start for the year’s launch events.  Some pictures of the event [here].

Engine Ignition counts:
A – 36
B – 13
C – 11
D – 7
E – 2

Although the day was a bit dreary with overcast skies and occasional light rain, the turnout for the November 12th SoAR launch event was a whopper. Before the scheduled 11:00 event start time, multiple scout packs were invited to launch rockets in the morning pre-event hours; and launch they did! The day’s flight cards reaching a total count of 218 launches.

As one could imagine with the aforementioned onslaught of youthful enthusiasm, there was constant early action on the launchpads and in the air. Lots of successful flights with a variety of low-power rockets, creative designs, and interesting payloads (who would have thought to deliver tanks and infantry to the front lines via rockets).

By 11:00 the scouts had launched everything they had, and the rest of the event was at a more relaxed pace. As a cold front continued to move into the area, the winds picked up and by 1:30 the event came to an early close with Leaor keeping things exciting at the end with his Rocketarium Vortico launch attempt with a F15 CATO that sent up an impressive fire ball, and a great flight of his beautiful Fliskits Tesla with a C5-3 for power.

Other interesting launches included Kevin Scholberg’s scratch-built Double Header going up on an E30 and his BT80-18II powered by a D20. Ron Hender brought out his scratch-built Gemini Titan and launched it with a D20 then again with a C18-4 with good results, had a successful flight of his Estes Space Shuttle on a C5-3, launched his Estes Little Joe II with a D12, and launched his Estes Mercury Redstone off the 10/10 rail with a D12 and a C11. Let’s not overlook Chris with his Fliskits ‘Athletic Supporter’ powered by a C6-0 (tumble recovery) and the thunderous static test of a K motor.

A few event photos can be viewed [here].

Motor ignition counts:
A – 125
B – 26
C – 32
D – 8
E – 3
F – 1
K – 1 (static test)
Unspecified – 23 (likely A & B)

Against a backdrop of early Fall foliage colors and blue skies there were forty-five participants launching a total of 136 rockets at the October 8th Mill Springs launch event. Mild temperatures and light to moderate winds made for a day that included a lot of action, some interesting CATO drama, and many smiles. The event attendance included many families, scouts, scholars doing science projects, and regular members taking advantage of an excellent fun-filled day of beautiful Fall weather.

There were an unusual number of CATOs including three simultaneous when a drag race of Kevin Scholberg’s Spider Webs on E12/E15/E16 all went to fireballs off the launch rods. That was indeed a wow moment. Some other great (normal) launches included Kevin’s Estes Argent lofted by an E16, and a scratch-built Red Crayon powered by an E30. Kevin Boyd successfully launched and recovered his Apogee G Force that roared skyward on a G74, and the other G-powered launch of his LOC Cool Spool on a G79. Xander launched a Rocketry Works “Send it” with a F15. We also had excellent launches of Estes Saturn Vs on C6-3s by Roy Green and Katina and an Estes SLS launched twice by Dalton Johnson on C5 and C6 motors. Even Jorge got in on the action with an Art Applewhite Smiley Cone on an E12 and his scratch-built Red Thing flown successfully with an E16.

There were many other excellent flights and fun moments, many of these captured by the camera of Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional event photos [here].

Motor ignition counts:
A – 44
B – 51
C – 24
D – 2
E – 9
F – 5
G – 2

At SoAR’s first Fall launch event at Dawsonville on September 24th the blue skies, moderate temperatures, and mild winds enticed forty-nine participants to come out and launch 146 rockets. Civil Air Patrol cadets added to the busy time out on the launch pads keeping the pace of action going throughout the morning and afternoon. The excellent weather also brought out many families with many new rockets heading skyward for the first time.

For low-powered and mid-powered flights landing out in the larger recovery area there were some challenges in spotting rockets due to the late summer growth, but with careful attention to walking direction and distance, most recoveries were made successfully.

Some notable mid-powered flights included the five-engine cluster launches by ACA Rocketry Club with their Ocean Spear and The Murador. David Cain had a majestic flight of his Apogee X-15 roaring up under F52 power. Kevin Scholberg launched his Mad Cow Bat Ray on an E16. Chris sent up an Estes Vapor twice with an E26 and his Estes Der Violet Max going up on a F44. Herb Howe brought a scratch-built 3” Goblin that was powered by a F35 and his Pole Cat Spike with a G53. Robert Harris had many mid-powered flights with his LOC Cool Spool with a G79 and on a F67, also his LOC Graduator with a F23. Also of note for this event is that there were fourteen low-power two stage launches. Most of these were Estes Loadstar II B6 boosters to B6 sustainers.

A few photos from the day can be viewed [here].

Engine ignition counts:
A – 35
B – 42
C – 33
D – 27
E – 17
F – 16
G – 2

At the July 23rd launch event in Dawsonville there were ninety-six launches accomplished by twenty-two participants. Field conditions were welcoming with recently mowed grass in the parking and launching areas at a level that you would find in a front lawn – nice. Field conditions in the greater recovery areas were a bit rougher but still allowed relatively easy navigating and sighting of rockets out on the field. Weather conditions were as forecasted with mild winds and mostly blue skies. The heat and humidity did become bothersome in the late morning and afternoon, but even so the event was one to thoroughly enjoy with many excellent fights.

With the favorable winds many participants went out to the launch pads with their favorite rockets and optimum engines for some great mid-power flights. Chris Lucas launched his LOC Goblin on a G76 and Tony Paridon chose a G74 for his Scratch-built Orange Crush. Tony also launched his Aerotech Strong Arm and Warthog each with F27s. Kevin Scholberg used a F15 for two flights of his scratch-built Fiery, but Mostly Peaceful and with his Estes-parts-built Argentris. Gavin used a D12-0/C6-5 combination for his Estes Savage two-stager – a long recovery walk. Chris cleverly named a scratch-built rocket “It’s Unclear” (but we saw right through it). It went skyward on an E12-4. David Lange had a three-motor cluster of D12-5s for his LOC Phoenix – awesome coming up off the pads. There were many other great flights – some event photos [here].

Engine ignition counts:
A – 11
B – 14
C – 27
D – 21
E – 15
F – 11
G – 2