Launch Reports

The cool temperatures and windy conditions were no match for the amount of enthusiasm that arrived at the November 13th Mill Springs launch event. Cub Scouts from three Packs came ready to load the pads at the 8:00 start time. For the next few hours, it was incredible nonstop action. There were plenty of A, B, and C engines taking rockets to various altitudes; many of these being recovered in the adjacent fields as the steady winds from the northwest keep recovery chances interesting no matter what the launch angle. Terry Bliss setup a prep and repair table that helped many first timers solve technical and safety issues prior to approaching the RSO for pad assignment. This support was extremely helpful as it allowed the flow of participants to move smoothly from RSO to the pads once their rockets were ready and finally checked for launch. Total launch count for this event was 244 (wow!)

Once the scouts were done by mid-morning the pace slowed down and a more typical launch event was underway. Leaor kept things exciting with his Rocketarium Vortico launch on a D9 then again (and finally) on a F39. He also got in a 3rd flight of the beautiful Fliskits Tesla with a C6 for power. Robert Harris tempted fate (and won) with his Dynastar Rising Star launched with a D12 and gave spectators a glorious (and loud) flight with his LOC Cool Spool on a F67.

A few photos from the event [here]

The October 9th Mill Springs launch event began with some morning fog parked across the field keeping visibility a bit limited, but soon after the event start time the mist moved along, and a beautiful Fall afternoon got underway. There were twenty participants who accomplished a total of ninety-four launches. Winds were absent for the morning hours allowing for straight up ascents and straight back down parachute descents.

Of special interest were flights by Tony Paridon which included a thunderous launch of his scratch-built Hi-Flier XXL on a F32, scratch-built Nike-X on a F42, and scratch-built Dr. Death flown on a E27. Kevin Boyd flew his Aerotech G-Force on a G40. Leaor had some spectacular flights with his Fliskits Duces Wild on a cluster of two B6s and then on C6s. Tom Lacock launched his Estes Executioner powered with an E12.

A drag race was held of three Estes Protostars by Kevin Boyd (color champagne) D12, Jorge Blanco (gold) C11, and Jeff Coons (silver) D12. So who won which aspect? (First off the pad, highest altitude, first down) Well, that was not the point, it was a sight to behold as all three Protostars came soaring up off the pads at once – and that was good enough (all recovered).

Wonderful Fall weather, rockets blasting skyward and drifting down silhouetted against a sunny blue sky – it was a very enjoyable launch event. Event photos by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional pictures from the event [here].

Engine Ignition Counts:
A – 10
B – 28
C – 36
D – 18
E – 3
F – 2
G – 1

Comfortable temperatures, low humidity, mild morning breeze – you could hardly ask for more perfect weather for the September 25th launch event at Dawsonville. Coming out to enjoy the big sky day and mountain scenery were twenty-two participants who accomplished seventy-seven launches.

With light winds in the morning there was little hesitation to bring out high-flying mid-power rockets and a good number of two stage models as well. Herb H. had four impressive G-power flights with his Pole Cat Goblin (4-inch), LOC V2 (4-inch), Binder Bat (29mm), and Pole Cat Spike. Mike E. launched his LOC Caliber ISP for the first time powered by a G76. Russell M. flew his North Coast Rocketry SA-14 Archer on a G77 with a successful dual deployment recovery. Well done.

For other scale models, Ron H. launched his Estes Saturn V (1/100 scale) twice with a F44 for lift, two flights of his Semroc Saturn 1B (1/72 scale) with E30 power, and a launch of his Estes Little Joe II on an E30. Tom T. launched a Gemini on a cluster of two D12s. Ash C. had three good flights of his Estes Saturn V on C6s.

It was a full day of excellent low and mid-powered flights. Event photos by Kevin Boyd [here]. Some additional photos from the event [here].

Engine Ignition Counts:
A – 7
B – 11
C – 13
D – 19
E – 15
F – 12
G – 6

Possibly owing to people observing the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks on the USA, turnout was low at the September Mill Springs launch despite nearly perfect weather. But there were still some new faces that were making their first attempts at model rocketry. There were twenty-two enthusiastic participants launching eighty-nine rockets, Gabe Perry and his family were a perfect example. Gabe made six flights with his Estes Journey (which seems to be a new popular beginners rocket) all successful, and the Perry’s left more enthusiastic than they came.

Joseph Barrett entertained us with a drag race between an Estes Snitch and a Quest UFO, an exciting Whirl & Hurl 3D printed rocket on an E20, and a flight from an Estes SLS 1/200 scale model.

And as always Kevin Scholberg kept the skies full of interesting rockets.

(the featured photo is of the Perrys. Gabe is in the middle)

Motor ignition counts:

A – 29
B – 24
C – 17
D – 11
E – 8

As should be expected for August, the summer heat and humidity were abundant, but so was the participant turnout, enthusiasm, and launch pad activity for the Mill Springs launch event on August 14th. By the end of the event there were forty-one participants who had accomplished 132 total launches.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon the winds remained fairly calm and this allowed some to take advantage of higher altitudes with C and D selected engines. Recoveries were mostly successful, but as usual at Mill Springs, not everything launched made it home (a few very painful). The higher than usual grass on the field also made recoveries more of a challenge for many of the smaller rockets.

A couple of standouts included Russell McCulloch’s North Coast Rocketry SA-14 Archer flown on a E30, Jorge Blanco’s PML rocket named Loser? that he sent up on a thunderous G80, Herb Howe’s Art Applewhite Saucer 29mm also got everyone’s attention with a G53 blast. Also of note were Ron Hender’s many scale model launches and Kevin Scholberg’s creative fleet that always entertains and inspires.

A very enthusiastic group from the Canterfield Villas in Cumming, that was organized by Gene Armstrong, arrived well prepared each with their beautiful rockets ready for the launch pads. These were successfully flown on A8-3s and recovered. It’s good to know that even at ninety-five the joy of watching a rocket you built leap off the pad and take to the skies can be accomplished. Some pictures from the event [here].

Motor ignition counts:
A – 26
B – 22
C – 49
D – 22
E – 9
F – 2
G – 2

On a day that began with overcast skies and an ever-present threat of rain there were forty-five enthusiastic participants that accomplished 142 launches. After a brief mid-morning delay in the action due to a passing rain cloud the sun did finally make an appearance around noon along with the usual summertime heat and humidity. Adding to the numbers of participants were members from Cub Scout Pack 199 out of Roswell and another scout group.

Throughout this July 10th launch event there were a few standouts that included two beautiful Estes Protostar launches by Jorge and Chris each on C11s, Herb Howe’s Fliskits Payload 3×18 with three A8s, Joseph Barrett’s Estes NASA SLS which flew great on a C6-3 and two launches of his Art Applewhite Stealth on E20s, Jeff Fellman’s Jayhawk was impressive flown with a C11, and Gavin’s Americana series of Estes Mix-n-Match that included rockets John Adams, James Madison, Spirit of America, and General Washington – the later flown with two stages D12/C6 and likely crossed the Delaware on its way down field.

An exciting moment occurred suddenly as a C130 (from Dobbins) on a low pass came close to the field. Launching ceased as the crowd took in the sight, sound, and awesomeness. Some photos from the event [here].

Motor ignition counts:
A – 45
B – 69
C – 20
D – 9
E – 2
F – 1

Turnout was tremendous at the June 26th launch event held at SoAR’s Dawsonville mid-power field. There were fifty-nine participants plus a healthy number of spectators and family members who enjoyed favorable weather and wonderful scenery as rockets filled the sky. Flight cards totaled 164 launches – a really busy day on the launch pads especially from those who brought out their mid-powered fleet.

Prevailing winds from the east were favorable for recoveries along the large field dimensions and some rockets that veered easterly at apogee drifted back relatively close to the launch area. At the start of launch Kevin Scholberg sacrificed an Alpha by sending it up on a C6-7 to determine the upper-level wind direction and speed.

A variety of rocketry at this event included multistage and cluster motor arrangements. The most impressive of these was Dan Smith’s Apogee 4DF that launched spectacularly on four D12s with a F15 center motor (hence 4DF). Herb Howe also launched his two motor Fliskits Duces Wild on B6s and a Mercury Engineering RDR-II with a pair of D12s.

Great mid-powered flights included Chris’ LOC Green Goblin powered by a G64 and David Cain’s MadCow Cowabunga also sent up on a G64.

Other standouts included Ray Lecture’s thirty-two-year-old Estes Arrow launched with a B6, Kevin Scholberg’s stunning Moon Age Daydream he scratch-built that was sent up on a D12, Ron Hender’s Estes 1/100 scale Saturn V coming off the pad powered with a F44 – wow, and Gavin Lucas’ Apogee X-15 streaking skyward on a F67. Mark Bowen also came out with his Dynasoar Aurora Clipper radio-controlled boost glider for another amazing flight and gentle return to earth. Event photos by Kevin Boyd here. Some additional photos from the event here.

Motor ignition counts:
A – 23
B – 45
C – 32
D – 30
E – 17
F – 22
G – 3

There were thirty-two participants that launched eighty rockets at the Mill Springs launch event on June 12th. Throughout the day there were partly sunny skies and variable light to moderate winds that provided some recovery challenges. Heat, and humidity were also ever-present. Attending this event were members of the Forsyth County Cadet Squadron, GA-160 Civil Air Patrol who kept the pads busy.

One of the most exciting flights of the event was Mark Bowen’s Dynasoar Aurora Clipper R/C rocket glider that left the pad on an E6 for a long-burn flight up to an impressive altitude and then transitioned into a beautifully controlled flight circling over the launch area and ending with a nicely executed flared landing. Applause awarded.

David Cain launched his Semroc Mars Lander (shown at Thursday’s Rocket Talk meeting) with a D24 for a quick ascent to apogee, the sun glinting off the gold foil, and then parachute deployment. A perfect point landing was hoped for but, well, not this time.
There were also some really good C11 flights like Sean Bedford’s Estes V2 and Chris Lucas’ Protostar and Astron Explorer. All beautiful rockets and fun to watch going up.

At the end of the day the CAP cadets provided a coordinated sweep of the launch area to ensure nothing was left behind. Much appreciated. Photos from the event.

Motor ignition counts:
A – 38
B – 28
C – 11
D – 2
E – 2

On a day with calm winds and sunny skies there were nineteen participants who found these conditions most favorable for mid-power rocketry at the May 22nd Dawsonville launch event. Seventy-eight launches were accomplished with many of these remarkable and some even quite spectacular.

There were five G-powered launches that provided a thrilling sight and sound coming off the launch pads. There was Joseph Barrett’s Custom Thor on a G80, Ray Lecture’s LOC Goblin powered by a G76 and his Hi Flyer XXL (upscaled upscale) on a G79, Gary Knotts with a beautiful NCR SA-14 Archer being lifted by a G64, Roy Green’s NCR by Estes Phantom 4000 launched with a G40.

Sights to behold included several of Kevin Scholberg’s uniquely designed and beautifully crafted rockets like the Sunward Gravity Rider going up on a cluster of two B6-4s and descending on twin parachutes, his scratch-built Andromeda Upscale launched twice (F63 and F51) that separates at apogee into two parts and comes down on two chutes.

Other standouts include Ray Lecture’s X-15 launched with a F67 for a spectacular flight and his 3” Goblin also flown with a F67. Tom Lacock sent up his scratch-built Grim Reaper on a cluster of two E12s. There were also four two-stage rockets launched requiring careful observation for successful recoveries. Thanks to the calm conditions everything launched at this event found its way home at the end of the day. Some photos from this event [here].

Motor Ignition Counts:
A – 9
B – 11
C – 15
D – 21
E – 16
F – 7
G – 5