January 15th Launch Report

From Roy Potter:

Welcome and congratulations to all of those who braved the weather for the January rocket launch.

Saturday, the 15th of January was cold, overcast and windy with 15 to 20 MPH winds. (a lot of �wind cocking�, so a lot of flights didn�t drift to far even with the wind) BUT, even then, we had a crowd of people out there. I have counted 24 listed fliers that put up 74 recorded flights for the day. AND, even with the wind, which calmed down a bit as the day progressed, you�ll see we had 3 �H� and 2 �I� flights that just pushed their way through the winds. To make it more survivable, I brought out a portable pit fire so we had a open fire to keep warm and stand around while talking about our flights and talk shop.
Plus, Rocket Vender, Ken Allen from Performance Hobbies came down expecting to just hang out and make just enough sales to cover the trip, but instead was kept busy meeting everybody�s shopping needs for supplies, parts, kits and engines. He said that he might plan to come down every couple of months or so. Thanks for supporting Ken; we want him to come back.

Roy Potter, I only flew my �Mars Probe� on different C6�s, 5 and 7 sec delays trying to get the best duration of the whistle effect. But the 7 sec delay is 1 sec too long; it �darted� with every 7 sec flight. But it�s so light that all I had to do was wipe off the dirt to fly it again.

Terry Baucom didn�t let the chilly weather keep him away from the field either. He flew the �Wart Hog� on a F20, the �Purple Thang� on a A8 and B6, �Big Hart� went p on a D12, and his �H� flight was the �Tethus� on a H238.

Phil Trainor, who always comes out, brought his trusty �Initiator� to fly on a F20.

Steve Bumgarner, usually first on the pad, flew the �Tar Tar 2� (replacing the original Tar Tar) for it�s 1st flt on a E28,�Deep Purple� on a F40, �Celtic Climber� on a E23, �Iris� on a C11, �Def Con 1� on a D12, �Onyx� on a F20 and �Ricky�s Craven Rockets� on a F20.

Young Brian Froeb flew a �Fat Boy� on a C6.

John Froeb had the most flights per flier for the day, which is saying a lot considering the conditions with 9 flights. (Based on the flight slips) �Sure Shot� on a A8, �Cosmic Cobra� 2 stg on C6�s, �Executioner� 2 stg on a C11 to a D12 and with the wind cocking effect, landed right back near the flight
line. The �Pan Am Shuttle� flew for it�s 1st flt on a A8, the �Barber Pole� (repainted Maxi Alpha kit?) on a E9,�Pierce Arrow� on a B6, �Bull Puppy 3.0� on a G80 and the �Icarrus� on a C6.

Young Shawn or Jean (I see both on slips) Froeb flew a �Babby B� on a B6, �Razor� on a A8, and the repainted flying, spinning pyramid of death, the �Asian Tsunami� on a C11. Painted sea blue with white waves on the curved edges, that gives it it�s spin.

David Tomkinson had 5 flts with his �Alpha 3� on a A8 and B4, �Sizzler� on a B6, a old and neat �Delta Wedge� on a C6, and the �Ranger� on a D12. Devon Tomkinson, also with 5 flts, flew a �Super Big Bertha� on a E9, �Alpha #� on a B4, �Fat Boy� on a C6, �Red Max� on a B6, and a �Maxi Alpha� on a F21, which yes, broke those flimsy mounted plastic fins on landing. Mine always did.

Bob Bernatchez, who will put out the NAR competition announcement for next month, flew a �Mini Mars Lander� on a A3T, �Titan III E� on a D12, �ALCM� cruise missile on a B6, �Initiator� on a F40 and the �Quasar NG� on a G64.

The Grossjean family with Joe Grossjean flew a �Work in Progress� on a F20. And Justin Grossjean flew the �Cloud 9� on F20�s.

The Grondin family with Killian Grondin flew a extended �Gnome� on a 1/2AT and Lucas Grondin flew the same extended �Gnome� on a A10T.

Bill Linker came out to test fly his latest, the �Son of Cherry Bomb� for it�s 1st flt on a F20 and then upped it to a G40. It reminds me of a actual �dart� shape.

Vic Duniec, who makes really nicely made rockets, flew a �HARM� on a E30. Young Elizabeth Duniec flew her �Blue Ninja� on D12�s.

Doc Russell, who had a great flight day but a lousy vehicle day (van broke down) flew the �Courrier� on a D12, �Maxi Streak 2� on a C6, �Mark 3� on a A8 and his big flight of the day was the �Tigger� on a H128.

Ralph Roberts, took enough time from the flight controls and Prez duties to prep and fly the �Freedom Express� on a new type of engine, a Loki I405 that successfully deployed a streamer at apogee and the 48� main at 300 ft. He also flew a Estes �Patriot� on a B6 and C6.

Sam Leonard flew a mid sized �Patriot� on a G64.

Todd Haring flew a large sized �Patriot� on a loud H123 with a chute deployed at apogee with a altimeter back up.

Connor Deason flew a �Dragon Flier� on F25�s, a �Black Brant� on a G64 and the �54 Special� on a G64, which was one of the few lawn darts. (Other than mine).

David Deason flew large �Pterodactyl� on a I218, falling free fall at apogee with the main at 500 ft.

Thomas Crain flew the Estes �Sky Winder� on C6�s, which features a helicopter return of the nose section while the body returns by chute. NAR has competitions for rotor return durations.

As I said we had 24 actual fliers, plus a lot of family and friends, putting up 74 flights, burning 76 engines.
Mini= 3, A= 6, B= 9, C= 20, D= 8, E= 5, F= 13, G= 6, H= 3 and I=3.

Thanks for everyone who came out, we all had a good time, and thanks for Ken coming out to provide to all our rocket needs.