Launch Reports

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

Those coming out to the June Mill Springs launch event found a bit of improvement in field conditions as the Mill Springs landscape service had cleared an area large enough to setup the prep table and tent, the launch control, and the launch pads. Parking and rocket recovery areas remained tall grass, but overall, the main areas where people gathered were much easier to navigate due to the shorter grass.

The June weather was very cooperative with mostly blue skies and mild winds in generally favorable direction to help avoid the trees (at least for the morning hours). There were forty-two participants launching 150 rockets, so indeed the pads remained very busy throughout the morning and tapered off in the early afternoon. Something becoming more common is the use of video cameras. Thirteen rockets took video cameras up with them during the event.

Some of the standouts during this event included Amy Srch’s beautifully finished Estes Space Twister named “The Joker” that was launched on an A8 and a B6 with a majestic spin during ascent. Brandon was impressive with his courage and skill at launching his Estes Doorknob twice on E12s with one flight taking up an altimeter. Leaor also took the risk of launching on E12s with his Estes Astron Explorer, QCC Explorer, and STM-012 – all recovered but with some repairable damage on the Astron.

This was a well-attended event with many family members coming out to support the participants. Thanks are due to Jorge Blanco and Chris Lucas in helping to recover more than a few rockets from tree limbs when possible. Some photos from the event [here].

Engine ignition counts:
A – 34
B – 37
C – 59
D – 15
E – 8
F – 3

At the May 14th Mill Springs launch event there were thirty-nine participants who came out on a beautiful day to launch 151 rockets. After some morning clouds departed, conditions became quite extraordinary with very light winds, popcorn skies, and tolerable temperatures. Although not every model was recovered, the number of successful recoveries was very good considering some of the higher altitudes obtained by many participants selecting C and D engines.

Throughout the day there was a variety of interesting models that included new scratch designs and some age-old classics of sport and scale rockets. Roy Green launched a Semroc Aerobee-Hi on a A8-3 that he indicated was the design of the first commercial model rocket kit. He also sent up a Semroc Carlisle Mark II that was like the first rocket G. Harry Stine ever flew back in 1957. Ron Hender had many scale models including a scratch-built Mercury Atlas he launched with a C18 for power and a scratch-built Gemini Titan that flew with a twin C16 cluster.

Keith Frazier announced a Cone Contest that challenged participants to come as close as possible to an orange cone approximately fifty yards down field. A few contestants were able to land their rocket within 50 feet of the cone. A final winner will be announced by Keith and contacted by email with a generous prize awarded for their astute calculations and skillful launch angle eyeballing.

All-in-all the day was very enjoyable. Some event pictures [here]

Engine ignition counts:
A – 19
B – 54
C – 45
D – 22
E – 7
F – 7

At the April 23rd launch event at Dawsonville there were nineteen participants who took advantage of a beautiful sunny Spring day to launch ninety-nine rockets, spools, leapers, and landers. Early arrivers were rewarded with calm winds and cool temperatures and mid-powered rockets were soon streaking skyward into a cloudless sky. By noon, the winds began picking up and this made assessing proper launch angles a bit more difficult and some recoveries more challenging.

Monica Helms was inspired by the science fiction series called The Expanse with her highly creative and detailed Razorback launched on a G67, then her Rocinante sent up on a F20, and the Pella powered by a G80. Other G-powered models included Chris Lucas’ Aerotech ArreauxBee-Hi with a G64, Ray Lecture’s scratch built and beautifully finished Der Black Max launched on a G78 as well as his LOC Goblin. David Cain launched his Mad Cow Cowabunga with a G77and Robert Harris sent up his LOC Cool Spool on a G79. These were all great spectator flights.

Also of interest were Kevin Scholberg’s Estes Outlander, a classic Excelsior Rocketry Bluebird Zero launched on a C6, his scratch-built Silver Surfer that went up majestically on a F67. Kip Laurie brought out some upscaled models including Estes Nike X (212% upscale) that was powered by a F42, an Estes Sasha (167%) lofted by a F20, and an Estes Low Boom SST (331%); all of these going up for the first time. There were many other exciting launches that kept most of the day busy and enjoyable to watch. Event photos by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional event pictures [here].

Motor Ignition Counts:
A – 15
B – 13
C – 18
D – 20
E – 14
F – 19
G – 8

Saturday turned out to be a very nice day for flying rockets.  The winds were totally in ignorance of the forecast and shifted around 270 degrees during the course of the launch. 

We had a number of very interesting projects including 7 two stage flights.  Jorge Blanco launched the most powerful two stager with an F15-0 staging to an F15-7.  Sadly, we got to watch that one sail into the horizon….gotta watch to parachute sizes!  Chris Lucas showed everyone how it’s done by flying a mini Comanche sporting A10-0 to A10-0 to A10-3  staging.  All three stages lit…but the first stage lift was to say the least….unhurried.

John Lawrence flew a 3 motor (B6-4) project.  Tom T. outmuscled John flying a rocket with a pair of D12-3 motors.

For Saturday’s Ouch we had Jorge Blanco leave a Dual Deploy Class 1 rocket 70 feet up in a tree.  He hopes to get the altimeter bay back at some point (should be ok).

Engine ignition counts:
1/2A – 2
A – 11
B – 15
C – 22
D – 20
E – 10
F – 9
G – 8

The February 12th launch event at Mill Springs brought out thirty participants to take advantage of a warm afternoon with sunny skies and light to moderate winds. There were many who elected to use streamer recovery to keep smaller rockets reaching higher altitudes landing closer on the field. By the end of the event there were 108 total launches with a good variety of rocket designs including vintage as well as many taking to the air for their first flights.

Some of those vintage rockets making it back out on the launch pad included Jeff Fellman’s Holverson Designs Tangent that was successfully powered by an equally vintage C5-3. David Cain had his classic Semroc Cherokee D that he sent up on a B6 and also an Estes design Astron X-Ray flown twice under A8 power. Kevin Boyd launched his Estes Executioner with a D12 and his Estes QCC Explorer on a C11. Jorge got to launch his scratch built Red Thing on a D12. Other interesting launches included Harrison Kiefert’s Odd’l Rockets Birdie and his Sputnik with A10 engines. Gabriel had fun with his Estes Port-a-pot shot which struggled to gain altitude on a B4 but for reasons he was quick to explain (it was full of “stuff”).

For a more thunderous thrill, Robert Harris sent up his LOC Cool Spool on a G79.

Event photos by Kevin Boyd here.

A few additional event pictures here.

Engine ignition counts:
A – 39
B – 42
C – 20
D – 6
E – 1
F – 0
G – 1