March Launch Report

Welcome to all Rocket Junkies and Nerds.

Our March Launch this last 20 � 21 March was pretty good overall.
Saturday was T-shirt, shorts and tennis shoe weather. It started warm in the morning and ended up in the mid 70�s by the afternoon. Winds started real mild early in the morning then picked up with some strong gusts through the rest of the day.
We did have a lot of good launch�s including 4 �I�s� and 2 �J� flights.
Sunday we had Scout Pack 163 come out for a Pack launch, up until the rains drove us out at about 3:30.

Continued thanks to those who are providing us with photos of our launches. If you have any and would like to get them posted on the web site for our embarrassment and your entertainment contact Doc Russell at docr@wireknot.com or jeanr@wireknot.com. Or as some have done, pass it on a disk or flash drive. We can always get it back to you.
Not confirmed, but how about a �Camp-out� launch weekend next month?

Sat, 20 March we had 44 listed fliers that put up 101 flights with an average of 2.3 flights ea.
Counting multi stagers and clusters we had burned 111 engines.
A= 4. B= 21. C= 14. D= 9. E= 16. F= 5. G= 26. H= 8. I= 4. J=2.

Wanting to insure the safety of both the spectators and fliers alike, we upgraded our Range Safety standards by making specific assignments of a RSO, Range Safety Officer to pre-inspect rockets before flights and the LCO, Launch Control Officer to check range conditions and control the launch�s in a timely and efficient manner.

Check both the WEB site and at the launch for info on volunteering for LOC and RSO shifts. It�s great for anybody who isn�t flying that day but wants to take part anyway.

For the Play-By-Play, click the "Read More" link...

Malcolm Smith flew a LOC �Cool Spool� on a G40, a LOC �Mini Mag� on a cessoroni G185 and a PML �Calisto� on a G76.
Stuart Samuels had 12 flights. His �Micro Pencil� on a mini A10, a �Spool� on a D12, a �Mono Copter� on a B6 after a few tries, �Go Deep� on a D12 and E9, �Boost Glider� on a 1/2A for a nice flight and the �Sunrise� o a G64. His 200% up scaled �Maple Seed� went up on a B6 but surprisingly broke up under the stress, big surprise there. His 400% up scaled and impressive �Maple Seed� went up on an E18 for good impressive flights.
Bob Bernatchez flew his �Matra Magic R550� on a F39, a classic NCR �Patriot� on a G64, also his classic NCR �Orbit� on a F24. His �Pathfinder� and �Maniac� both on a D12 and ASP �V-2� on an E28 and his Estes �Patriot� on a C6.
Jeff Jones came out and said hi to everyone and flew his �Expediter� on a G80.
Doug Knight came out with his collage physics class to build and fly rockets for part of their grades. Doug himself flew a �SC RISK� on a cessoroni ?180 skidmark sparky, his �Phobos� flew on a cessoroni H143, and the LOC �Graduator� flew on a cessoroni G80 sparky also. His payment to the rocket gods was paid by his �Blue Meanie� on a J540 that had a blow-by the forward closure ejecting the chute that did not spin but burned through the shock cord that enabled it to re-stabilize and fly under power to the creek tree line ending in a distinctive tree vs rocket WHAM. After flight autopsy confirmed the blow-by. I�ve had a couple myself.
Students Mike Coddington and Josh Anzini, collage student team, flew the �Budget Rocket� on a G54 and G79 with eggs and altimeter on board for grade credit. Had a ballistic separation on the second flight.
Student Aaron Prevette, collage student, the �AP Fabrication� on a G79 with eggs and altimeter that went very, very high and drifted far over the horizon. Don�t know if it was recovered.
Students Bert Woods and Harris, collage students, flew the �Crash and Burn� on a G79with eggs and altimeter.
Students Heath Adams and Eva, collage student team, flew their �Big Daddy� (not the Estes kit) on a G80 and G79 with eggs and altimeter.
Students Markus and Joel, collage student team, flew the �Flat Line� on a G79 with eggs and altimeter.
Student Scott Bustle, collage student, flew a realistic pencil rocket called �The Pencil Pusher� on a G79 with eggs and altimeter that separated losing the cargo section.
Student Sam Estes, (historical name in rocketry), flew the �StingRay� on a G79 with eggs and altimeter that had a ballistic separation.
Student Dustin Long, collage student, flew the �High Flyer� on a G79 with eggs and altimeter that had a good �Chuff� on its first try.
Roy Potter, I flew my Estes 4inch �V-2� on a E30, the �ARCAS� on a F42, The �Stars and Stripes G� on my last discontinued G35, and the �Whistler� on E-9�s.
Mike Garner flew the NORAD �Pro Max� on a G71-R and a H165-R that had dual deployments with a small drogue chute followed by main chute deployment at 500 feet. �Easy� flew on a E9, the �Blue Yonder� flew on C6�s and a classic �Scissor Wing Transport� glider unsuccessfully on a C6.
Lawrence Albright flew his �Mongoose� on several motors in a single stage and two-stage configuration with B6�s and C6�s.
Randy and Mitchell Bird, born again rocketteers flew a Estes �Alpha III� on B6�s.
Ralph Roberts got his �Initiator� up on a F52 while assisting in his TRA position.
Charlie Ogino flew the �Top Stage� (of another larger rocket?) on a H123 with a radio locator that had main chute deployment at 600 feet. The �Mongoosc 54� went up on a I599-n like a fired bullet. Wow.
Gin Ogino flew a �O�Gizmo� on a J275.
Burke Wallace flew a �Fire Cat� on a C6, �Goblin� on a D12 and the �USS Andromeda� on a C6.
Wayne Hill flew a �Six and a Half Footer� on a E28 that suffered a rear closure on the pad with no damage. The �Saucer� flew on a D?, the �Goliath� flew on a cluster of three B6�s. The �Space Probe� on a D12, �Penetrator� on a B6, the great looking �Green Hornet� (the TV series) on a G76 mohavi green motor and the �Rack� rocket with 4 C6 and B6 motors stacked atop each other. Cool.
Sandy Houston flew a �LOC IV� on a loki I405 that free fell to a 400 feet chute deployment.
Clark Moser another new member, flew a �Commanche 3� on C6�s, �Hi Jacker� on a G38FJ and the �Stone Breaker� on E18�s.
Jim Eddings flew the �EZI Stretch� on a H123 and H112-J with a perfect flight altimeter to deploy main chute at 300 feet.
Brandon Jackson flew his �Big Daddy� on a D15 and the �Aldebaran� on a cessoroni G106 skidmark sparky motor.
Joey Davis flew the �Stratosphere I� on a G79.
Peyton Aubridge flew a paper rocket �Raket� on a mini A10.
Mark Ferrell flew the �Big Betty� on a I435 with a loud BANG takeoff that separated drougless with main chute deployment at 400 feet.
Doc Russell, ROCC VP and all around doer flew his Estes 4 inch �V-2� on a F32.
Garrett Brooks flew �The Evil One� on B4�s and C6�s.
Ian Morris flew a �Nova Pay Loader� with 3 ladybugs aboard on a A8 and the �Razor� on a B6.
Will Morris flew a �Baby Bertha� on a B6 and a �Sam-X� 2 stage on a B6 to a B6.
Dave Strunk flew his �Forte� on a H165Redline for a successful level one cert flight.
Michael Strunk flew a �Mean Machine� on a E9 and the �Tidal Wave� on a C6.
John Lucas flew his Mustang on a E18.
Josh Deinglh? Flew a LOC �Precision� on a G71.
Heath K Lord flew a �Expediter� on a H123 skidmark sparky.
Allen Deal flew a �Blue Ninja� 2 stage on D12 to E9 and once with E9 single stage.
Paul Phillips flew his good looking �WISHB II� on a H250.

Sunday the 21st was scheduled as a overcast with rain in the afternoon type of day, so it was slower, except for the scouts who came out and we all had a good time.
We had 20 fliers counting the scouts who put up 49 flights with a total of 49 engines burned.
A= 8. B= 9. C= 14. D= 1. E= 8. F= 4. G= 2. H= 1. I= 1. J=1.
Roy Potter, I flew my �Whistler� on E9�s, Sexy �Thumper� on a F39, �White Dwarf� on E9�s and the �Stars and Stripes-F� on a F20.
Bob Bernatchez flew his NCR �Patriot� on a H165, the Estes �Interceptor-E� on a F39, a �Mini Bomark� on a Mini A10, and his �D-Region Tomahawk� on a E28.
Mitchell and Randy Bird flew a new Estes �Shuttle Express� on B6�s and C6�s and the �Alpha III� on A8�s.
John Hobson flew the �Good-n-Plenty� on a H255.
Harrison Reid flew a Star Wars �X-Wing� fighter on a A6 and a �R2 D2� on a B6. His �Mean Machine� flew on a D12 and a �Sky Winder� helicopter return on C6�s.
Nathan Kocmond flew a Estes �F-16 Eagle� fighter onC6�s that really looked good.
Hardin Moore flew the �Ultimate Dragon� on C6�s.
Whit Williams flew the �Cardinal� on a C6.
Charlie Ogino had a long walk but returned with his �O�Gizmo� on a J275.
Ian Milden flew his �Hi Flier� on a A8 and a C6.
Malcolm Smith flew his PML �Phobos� on a G185 and a PML �Callistro� on a F40.
Doc Russell flew his �Aerial� on a G80.
Ralph Roberts flew his �Freedom Express� on a I211, drougless at separation for a 300 foot main chute deployment. Just in time.
David Strunk acted as Pack Leader of Pack 163 this day.
Scout Thomas Milden flew his �Zippy� on A8�s and B6�s.
Scout Antonio Grantpage flew his �Zippy� on A8�s and B6�s
Scout Yi Shai Berendt flew his �Zippy� on A8�s and B6�s
Scout Michael Strunk flew his �Zippy� on A8�s and B6�s
Scout Christian Marquez flew his �Zippy� on A8�s and B6�s

The Scouts had fun right up till the rain started, we had some light sprinkles earlier but workable up till then.
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.