Launch Reports
Remember that day you launched that four motor cluster? Nah, me neither. That’s why Jeff Coons (and friends) have this page, to remind us of all the great launches we’ve had!
January Taylorsville High Power Launch Report
Favorable weather but very difficult field conditions welcomed thirty participants and family members to the January 26th Taylorsville high power launch event. Range setup was challenged by a rain-saturated field and a long haul from the SoAR equipment trailer to the launch area. Once underway there were seventy-four launches accomplished.
The many high-powered flights made the day exciting for all of those who attended. Although recoveries were made more difficult by the soggy conditions, the soft ground also helped prevent or minimize damage when things didn’t go as well as planned. With some upper level winds from the west there were a few rockets that drifted beyond the field perimeter when reaching the highest altitudes.
We greatly appreciate Chris’ Rocket Supplies for being our onsite vendor and a big thanks to those who volunteered to help with range setup and take down. [Event photos by Kevin Boyd] [Additional Event Photos]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- A – 6
- B – 9
- C – 12
- D – 12
- E – 8
- F – 12
- G – 10
- H – 13
- I – 0
- J – 2
December Mill Springs Launch Report
The December 14th Mill Springs launch began under grey clouds but later cleared with moderate winds and cool temperatures throughout the afternoon. There were twenty participants who accomplished a total of sixty-one launches during the event. And yes, with the brisk winds at times we did help decorate a tree or two with some colorful ornaments.
Some of the standouts during the day included David Cain’s Semroc Little Joe II with a re-engineered tower assembly and flown successfully with a B6, a spectacular launch of Kevin Scholberg’s Estes Executioner power by an E30, and a beautifully built and finished Estes Dark Silver flown by Tom Thurmond with a B6.
Lots of families were in attendance who enjoyed participating and watching all the action during the event. [Some event photos here]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A to A – 19
- B – 26
- C – 10
- D – 3
- E – 3
Taylorsville High Power Launch Report
Mild temperatures and calm winds welcomed fifty-three participants at the November 17th high-power launch event at the Creekside Firing Range in Taylorsville. Range setup was challenged by a field access delay and then the need to hand carry or cart range equipment out into the open field. Those who gathered early were extremely helpful in grabbing what they could for transport. Technical challenges for getting the high-power pads in working order also held up getting underway although low and mid-power were able to commence before noon. Despite the difficulties, by the event’s end time there were 101 launches accomplished.
Throughout the afternoon there was a constant queue line at the range safety table as the large number of participants needed to be processed to ensure safety of many first-time flights. This caused the need for much patience for both high-power and low to mid-power participants. Again, it was a challenging day all around, but a grand success for those who were looking to attempt high-power certification at level 1 and level 2.
Again, a special thanks to all of those who helped overcome the logistics of setup and takedown of range equipment. Thanks to Chris Short (Chris’ Rocket Supplies) in supporting high-power rocket motors and supplies, and thanks to all those individuals who stepped-in with their experience to help answer so many questions and to demonstrate proper techniques. It was a successful, albeit tiring day. [Photos by Kevin Boyd] [Some additional photos from the event]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A to A – 6
- B – 15
- C – 29
- D – 7
- E – 13
- F – 6
- G – 5
- H – 25
- I – none
- J – 3
November Mill Springs Launch Report
The November 9th Mill Springs Launch event began with Jorge supporting a group of Cub Scouts on a day that started out cold and a bit windy. As the club members began arriving a few hours later, the day became more comfortable, the winds died down and by the end of the event we had a total of fifty-eight participants who accomplished 161 launches.
There were many beautiful flights piercing a cloudless blue sky. Kevin Scholberg launched some of his amazing creations, the most impressive being the scratch-built Halloween Hellraiser on a two D12 cluster that was brought back safely using streaming entrails – quite a sight. Roy Green had a good flight of his Estes Jupiter-C on a C6 and Chris’ Aurora Borealis was very spectacular on a B6.
The pace of launches increased during the final hours of the event as so many came out to enjoy a beautiful Fall afternoon. [Some photos from the event]
Motor ignition counts:
- 1/4A to 1/2A – 11
- A – 51
- B – 51
- C – 33
- D – 5
- E – 8
- F – 4
- G – 1
Mill Springs October Launch Report
The October 12th Mill Springs launch event got a delayed start due to SoAR’s participation in the Roswell Youth Parade, but as the afternoon got underway, we had twenty-seven participants accomplish a total of ninety launches. The Fall weather was very comfortable with moderate winds diminishing later during the event.
Some highlights included the Estes Luna Bug that made an appearance with Madison’s Bumble Bee sent skyward with an A10 and Joe Burley’s Bug sent up on a 1/4A which was successfully retrieved. Joe also brought his Cognis Aerospace Zweistik Repulsor and had a successful flight with an A3 (an earlier A10 was CATO). Tom Kinard flew his scratch-built Vipox (shown at the SoAR meeting) on an A8. Eric Wilfert launched a Rocketarium Turbo Vortico with a F15 and Michael made a couple of flights of his Vortico with a D16 all with great success and fun to watch. [Some photos from the event]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/4A to A – 32
- B – 32
- C – 22
- D – 2
- E – 1
- F – 1
September Dawsonville Launch Report and Photos
There were thirty-seven participants at the September 28th Dawsonville Launch event where 107 flights were accomplished.
Kevin Boyd was there and we have a link to his photos of the launch.
Here’s a photo of Jorge modeling the “scientist lab goggles” worn by SoAR members during the Roswell Youth Day Parade on October 12 (details to come shortly).
Motor Ignition counts:
- A – 9
- B – 23
- C – 20
- D – 18
- E – 19
- F – 12
- G – 6
Mill Springs September Launch Report
The September 14th Mill Springs launch had a great turnout of thirty-six participants who accomplished 121 launches throughout the event. Mild winds from the east helped guide recoveries down the length of the field but variations in wind direction did prove challenging at times.
The day saw many Turbo Vorticos, Whirl & Hurls, saucers, cones, and even something called Bad Egg Salad by Kevin Scholberg that flew (whirled) on an E12, then a F15. Joseph Barrett launched his Estes D Region Tomahawk on a E12. We saw a spectacular flight of Tim Callahan’s Estes Blackbird on a C6. Chris Lucas launched a Lego Gus Grissom onboard an Estes Mercury Redstone with a C6. Roy Green sent up his Estes Jupiter C / Juno I on a C6. Jorge got to fly his beautifully finished Estes Protostar and Estes Expedition each on C11s. Glenn Harper successfully ignited all three A8s (cluster) in his Estes Der Triple Max for an impressive flight and Herb had an awesome flight with his FlisKits Deuces Wild on a two-cluster of B6s. [Photos from the event]
Motor Ignition counts:
- 1/2A to A – 36
- B – 36
- C – 31
- D – 9
- E – 6
- F – 5
- G – 1
Mill Springs August 10 Launch Report
Rockets filled the sky at the August 10th Mill Springs launch event where thirty-eight participants launched 149 rockets at a steady pace throughout the day. Although Georgia summer heat and humidity were in full force, mild winds from the west allowed many to push their low and mid powered rockets to higher altitudes. Most of these were successfully recovered downfield or in the adjacent ball field.
Coyote Rocketry was in attendance with supplies and cold-water refreshment for those wishing to keep launching.
Motor ignition counts:
- 1/4A to A – 39
- B – 45
- C – 34
- D – 18
- E – 8
- F – 9
Apollo 11 Celebration Launch Event Report
There was an excellent turnout for the July 20th Apollo 11 celebration launch at Dawsonville. Although quite hot and humid and with rain just a few miles away at times, the event drew thirty-one participants and many additional spectators who got to enjoy ninety-five launches. In recognition of the Apollo 11 50th anniversary we had six spectacular Saturn V launches by Gavin Lucas, Kevin Scholberg (2), Tom Thurmond, Ashli, and Andrew Robinson. Additionally, we also had Ray Lecture’s scratch-built Skinny Cat launched on a G77 and Allen Isdell’s LOC Amraam Prototype with a G61. These were all thrilling flights. [Event Photos]
Motor Ignition Counts:
- 1/2A to A – 19
- B – 36
- C – 19
- D – 8
- E – 13
- G – 2
Mill Springs July 13 Launch Event Report
After previous months of back-to-back rainouts for SoAR’s Mill Springs venue we finally got a break for the July 13th Launch Event which was held under partly cloudy skies and with a mild breeze from the west blowing favorably down field. A pent-up demand brought out forty participants who accomplished 115 launches before the threat of rain finally brought the event to an hour early end.
Some of the many interesting launches included Leaor’s Semroc Orbital Transport with glider, Gabriel’s Holverson Design Zoomie and Jack Bentley’s Estes Starchaser Thunderstar (X Prize) launched with a two-engine cluster of A8-3s.
A special thank-you! for those who helped hurriedly load equipment back into the SoAR trailer to beat the rain (which arrived just as the trailer door was being closed). [Photos from the event]
Engine Ignition Counts:
- 1/4A to A – 32
- B – 57
- C – 17
- D – 5
- E – 3
- F – 2
- G – 1