February Rocket Valentines

Happy Valentines Day.

Well�.We didn�t actually declare this to be the February Valentines Launch, but for most of us it was, because we love it, otherwise we wouldn�t be doing it.
(and yes, that means there are a few Rocket Widows out there while we are off)

Weather wise, we really missed the bullet. After weeks of mixed weekends of mismatched weather, we lucked out with two perfect days of flying weather. Monday it rained. Both days were clear with warm temperatures, light shirts or �T� shirts in the afternoons and only 5mph predicted winds. There were some higher winds on and off but overall good.
Thanks to those who are providing us with photos of our launch�s. If you have any and would like to get them posted on the web site for our entertainment contact Doc Russell at rocketrycarolina@gmail.com or wireknot@gmail.com. or as some have done, pass on a disk or flash drive. We can always get it back to you.

Full flight-by-flight report follows the "Read More" link:

Sat, 20 Feb had 20 fliers that put up 71 flights with an average of 3.5 flights ea.
We had a lot of �G� up to �J� flights that took more prep time so the rest of the time went to Low Power flights. Including multi-staging and clusters 76 engines were burned.
A= 5. B= 4. C= 8. D= 4. E= 18. F= 5. G= 13. H= 11. I= 3. J=5.

Due to some of the large launch attendances we�ve had in the past and wanting to insure the safety of both the spectators and fliers alike, we are upgrading our safety standards by making specific assignments of a RSO, Range Safety Officer to pre-inspect rockets and range conditions before flights and the LCO. Launch Control Officer to control the launch�s in a timely and efficient manner.
These duties are rotated so I don�t have notes on some of the flights while I wasn�t on LCO duty. We want to give the staff a chance to play also.
Check the WEB site for info on volunteering for LOC and RSO shifts. Its great for anybody who isn�t flying that day but wants to take part anyway.

Also keep in mind that what information you read below is a result of your penmanship.

Malcolm Smith flew his LOC �Warloc� with a J400 for a Level 2 Certification flight. I hope he made it.
Bob Bernatchez always brings out a large number of rockets and had a flight of 9. His �Golf Ball� contest rocket did a test flight on a B6, his �D Region Tomahawk� on a E18, �Side Winder� on a D12, his great looking Estes upscaled �Interceptor-E� on a F39, a �Pathfinder� on a D12, the French �Matra Magic R.550� on a F39, a classic North Coast Rocketry �Quasar� on a H128, the �Spaceship One� on a C6 and a �Mercury Redstone� on a D24.
Stuart Samuels also had a large flight group of 9 flights. A 400% upscaled �Maple Seed� rocket that breaks up into two parts that spins like the maple seed helicopter style and gently land on the ground. The 400% version flew on a E18 than recovered as designed impressively. The he flew the 800% upscale version on a H128 for a fantastic launch but repeated repairs may have off-set the perfect balance needed for it to work. He also flew a small �Mono Copter� on a mini-A, that�s a engine spinning a wing to produce lift. Just by looking at it you can�t figure how it will fly. He also flew the �Wing and a Prayer� on a A8, a flying pyramid the �Sunrise� on a G64, a �Pop Glider� on a A8 and the �Golden Arrow� on a E9. Yes, he had a busy day.
Brad Shea, when not on duty flew a �Improvised Initiator� on a H180 with separation at apogee, and free fall to 450 feet for main chute deployment. He had the honor of the last flight of the day with his �N.A.N.S.� Not Another Nike Smoke, on a J381 skidmark that was both loud and sparkie.
Doug Knight, collage professor with a class group, flew a �LOC V-2� on a H225 Wild Wolf Cessaroni, a �Astron Outlaw� on a D21, the �Attack� on a I180 Skidmark that was both loud and sparky. The �Blue Meanie� flew on a I435 then a light weight �Mustang� called �Bye Bye� on a G79W that instead of disappearing forever returned close by due to the lack of any wind.
Doc Russell spent the majority of the day manning the RSO table inspecting rockets prior to launch but did another test flight of his �Golf Ball� competition rocket �Sponge Bob� and got a 60 second timed flight with a B6.
Eddie Haith flew the �Lil Red� on a slow burning H97 medium delay that was a bit too long and the �Stubby� on a J350. Both really great flights overall.
Ralph Roberts flew his �Cosmic Staff of Azul� on a G64, cool, and the �Freedom Express� on a I225FJ that was cooler. He also flew a �Patriot� on a C6.
Brandon Jackson, who gets extra points for the best readable penmanship, flew the �Scrapper� on a F39T, the �Bellatrix� on a F24W, a �Spool� on a H112J for its first flight. The �Aldebaran� flew on a H238 and a �Phobos� on a G64W.
Robbie Kirk flew his �Spike II� on a G64, an �unnamed � on a G64, a �Phoenix� on a E30, the �Moon Raker� on a G75 and the �Candy Cane� on a H180.
Roy Potter, I think I now have the record for the most igniters used to launch one rocket. My �Target Drone� took 6 igniters to ignite the H165R for its first flight, which was good except for a short delay, that jerked the rear chute ejection hard enough to free the motor. The chute deployed properly, good recovery and engine recovered. I want to do it again. I also flew my �Whistler� a few times on E9�s and my �Golf Ball� rocket on B6�s.
Jim and Jamie Eddings flew a �Graduator� on a F40 successfully for its first flight. A LOC �Graduator� then flew on a H128 for a level one cert flight. The �Streaking Forte� flew on a G77R.
Mike Garner flew a �Scissor Wing� glider on a C6, second flight was a great glide return. The �Blue Yonder� flew on a C6, the �Easy� on a E9, and �Pro Max� on a G71R.
David and Michael Strank flew the �Fortz� on a G75J, a �Minute Man� on a C6 and the �Big Daddy� and a �Mean Machine� on E9s.
Brian Eagle flew a �Horizon� on a G64 and a LOC �Weasel� on a F40.
Emily Nelson flew her �Yoga� rocket on a E9 to relax before her �Iron Man� on a E9.
Lee �Monkie� Roberts flew a Estes �Big Daddy� on a E9.
Scott Hunt flew a �Hi-Flyer� on a A8 for a timed flight.
Josh D flew a �Bull Puppy� on a C6.
Charlie Ogino flew with the �Mitchell CC USLI� collage team with their �Open Nose� rocket project on J570�s. This is always impressive. It�s a small scale of their full project.

Sunday the 21st of February was a good repeat of Saturdays weather, a bit more wind at times and actually even warmer.
We had 19 flyers who put up 52 flights with a total of 58 engines burned.
A= 0, B= 6, C= 12, D= 7, E= 13, F= 5, G= 8, H=2, I= 5,

Roy Potter, I flew the �Chevas� (Mexican Soccer Team) on a old discontinued G35 and then a G38FJ that got a bit of a zipper, I was trying to get a two chute daisy chain going but the top chute pulled the bottom chute closed instead. I got the �ARCAS� up on a F40 and the �Whistler� on E9�s.
Malcolm Smith got his LOC �War Loc� up again on a I540. Double cool.
Bob Bernatchez flew his �Interceptor-E� on a F24, a classic NCR �Patriot� on a G64, a small �Patriot� on a C6, a �Super Big Bertha� on a F24, a �Mercury Atlas� on a wild ride with a F24 and a �Maniac� on a E18.
Sandy Houston flew a �LOC IV� with a camera on board on a I225 that separated at apogee with free fall for a 800ft chute deployment, then again on a I154 with the main at 400 ft this time. Altimeter deployment is so cool. Robot controlled cool.
Adams Harris flew his �Chrome Dome� on C6�s.
Allen Deal flew a �Blue Ninja� 2 stager on a D12 to a E9. Good flight and recovery.
Brad Shea flew his �Recycled Squared� with a two D12 cluster. Then he flew rockets with kids, his �Pentagonal� with Anna on a D12, �Sharky� with Sam on a D12, �NSL Starship� with Samuel on a C6, �Shuttle Express� with Anna on a B6 and the �USS Air Force� with Adam on a B6.
Spencer Thompson flew the �Schmetterling� with a F40.
Ashley Bergsmith flew a �Rascal� on a C6, the �Spev� missile on a C6 and a �Der Red Max� on a C6.
John Bergsmith flew the �G Force� on a G76, �Maverick� on a E18, a nice �Interceptor-E� on a E28 and a �Duces Wild� with a two C6 cluster.
The Casey Family flew a �V-2� on a F12J, a �Fat Boy� on a C6, �Skywriter� on a B6, the �Buster� on a D12 and a �Blue Ninja Plus� on a D12.
Todd Harkey flew the �Trice� with a three E9 cluster twice with a camera.
Todd Haring flew the �Little O III� on a G77.
Brian Eagle flew a �Fantom� on a H128 and a �Horizon� again on a G64.
Thomas Ayers flew a �Metalizer� on a B6 and a �Blue Ninja� one stage on a D12.
Hank Smith flew a �Orion� on a B6 and a neat sci-fi looking �Stiff Fin� on a C6.
Terry Baucom flew his neat �Duracell Battery� on a H180 and his �Warlock� on a I405.
Ralph Roberts flew his ever reliable �Fear Factor� on a I180 Skidmark to separate and freefall to 300 ft for main chute deployment.
Jamie Eddings flew his �Graduator� again on a G77R.

It was a good weekend, everyone had a good time and even with our new RSO safety checks everything moved along smoothly.

Hope to see everyone next month and lets keep the pressure on the weatherman to keep it good for next launch.

Take Care and remember to keep those exhaust nozzles clear.
Roy, ROCC Sec.