March 2013 post-launch report
Monday, March 25, 2013 at 7:17AM And a Happy St. Patrick’s Day to the all of you.
Saturday, the 16th of March, Well we knew coming out there that it was going to be a windy day.
Approximate winds of 5 to 15 with gusts up to 18 mph were forecasted but so long as it stayed below 20mph we felt safe.
It was mostly sunny and warm even with the wind for light shirts and T-shirts soon after noon.
We did encourage everyone to take the conditions into account when prepping and loading their rockets, and that seemed to work.
I don’t think we had any major losses. When I wasn’t on the LCO I didn’t always see what happened.
Ken, of Performance Hobbies was there Saturday only, minus his trailer, which experienced a breakdown, but it’s amazing how much stuff he can carry in the back of his pickup.
Ralph had his barbeque up and running serving hotdogs chips, chili and drinks to keep us going.
Sunday, the 17th of March. Well this was certainly different. When we came out to reset everything up it was almost a dead calm, so us early birds quickly started getting up the launch’s we held back from Saturdays winds. And it kind of stayed that way for most of the day, some wind did pick back up a bit after 3pm but well below Saturdays levels.
With less wind and more sun it was even warmer and just great conditions to fly.
Sunday a fellow with a R/C “Quadra copter” helicopter thingy, was flying around taking videos of the launch’s from a aerial point of view. We may get some video posted. Check the postings.
I didn’t get his name, but he was cool.
There is already pictures on the Gallery, go see them.
For our embarrassment and your entertainment, any pictures you have from this or any recent launch that you would like to get posted on the web site for everyone to see, just contact Doc Russell at rocketrycarolina at gmail dot com, or as some have done, pass it on a disk or flash drive. We can always get it back to you.
I see we already have some pictures from the Launch, so check it out in the Photo Gallery.
We have the ROCC club membership drive for the 2013 flying season.
Membership funds go to the NAR and Tripoli association fees and insurance and cover the costs of maintaining the launch equipment.
We have new ROCC “T” shirts. We went through the gray shirts, then the tie-dye shirts and now by request we will be offering a tannish brown polo shirt with collar and then some assorted solid colored shirts. All with the colored ROCC logo.
See the Web site for the monthly “Launch themes”
“C” Motor Altitude GOLF BALL Launch Contest WINNERS.
I was able to conclude the contest Sunday afternoon
Gold, Silver and Bronze “Mega Mosquito’s” Awarded. (ready to fly)
There were 15-recorded Golf-Ball altitude flights with the top three places going to:
1st place with a altitude of 670 feet, Michael Strunk who got the Gold Mosquito.
2nd place with a altitude of 662 feet, Rodney Earp who got the Silver Mosquito.
3rd place with a altitude of 639 feet, John Bergsmith who got the Bronze Mosquito.
Congratulations to the winners and everybody who participated.
It turned out to be a exercise in design and engine choice for the optimum performance.
There was only 8 feet between 1st and 2nd place so a little random chance helps also.
Sandy Houston ran the NAR sanctioned competitions.
There was the 1/2A Glider Duration and the 5X“B” engine cluster altitude categories.
There were 10 glider flights and 16 “B” cluster flights during this weekend.
The winds challenged the Gliders and getting all 5 “B” engines to ignite was the real challenge there. I think those who used the “Quest” igniters did better than the Estes igniters.
Sandy will be posting the NAR winning scores once he has compiled the scores if all the flights in each category is completed.
LOST and Found.
While off in the woods, doing what rocket fliers do, looking for rockets, I came upon and recovered a large bright red rocket with a psyciadelic altimeter cargo section, and white Bio-Hazard decals on the fins and “Caliber-ISP” in white lettering on the body. It looks like a LOC kit and engine retainer.
Maybe it was launched in the Saturday 2 March Snow Launch.?
It had a 38mm engine. I kind of suspect it may be J.P.’s? as he pre-preps and labels the engines in advance. This was labeled a “H 178 D.M. (dark matter?) –12 (delay).
I took it apart, removed the dead battery and dried the parts out, Cleaned the engine casing and after all that, over all, even after 2 weeks in the weather; I think it will be fine. It was very well constructed and painted, so that helped it survive. Most rockets we recover are in way worse shape than this.
We are trying to see if we can streamline the launch flow by combining the 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.
So far this has seems to be working fine.
New Insurance Procedures: In order to comply with the Tripoli Rocketry Association and the National Association of Rocketry insurance requirements, our Club, “R.O.C.C.” has chosen to register our scheduled launches under the NAR flight regulations and for the insurance coverage that best meets our needs.
(NAR recognizes TRA membership and covers them under their blanket of coverage)
R.O.C.C. will still be registered as a joint TRA and NAR associated club and Tripoli flights and certifications will continue as normal.
Joining the National Association of Rocketry is quite easy.
You will find a application form in every Estes rocket kit you buy, or you can even join on-line at WWW.NAR.ORG. There are 4 yearly annual memberships.
Junior, 15 and under =$25, Leader, 16 –20 =$25, Senior, 21 and up = $62.
Family = with one regular Senior and $12 for each additional family member.
This membership completely covers you for liability, damage and injuries at our launches.
Saturday 16 March 2013.
We had 24 fliers who put up 76 flights burning 109 engines. That includes multiple flights, multi-stage and cluster flights. With the “B” engine clusters, the “B”’ numbers are really up.
A= 17, B= 42, C= 24, D= 6, E= 6, F= 6, G= 1, H= 3, I= 4, J= 0, K= 0.
Who flew what? Remember your penmanship of what I can read influences my spelling.
Michael Strunk flew a “Mean Machine” on a D12 and a “Mini Der Max” on a mini A4.
David Strunk flew a Estes “Super Alpha” on a B6 for a low flight in the wind.
Mark Bartkowiak, a new visitor, flew the “Orange Whip” on a A8 and the “Pink Elephant” (made from a Side Winder?) on D12’s with a altimeter to see how high it can go on the D.
Malcolm Smith flew his Golf ball on the “Lode Star” on C6’s. His “Twin Bertha” flew on a cluster of 2 A8’s then as a two stage with 2 C6’s to 2 A8’s. Looked cool. He flew a NAR “B Cluster” on 5 B6’s.
William Earp flew a “Big Dog” on a E18 and a “Phoenix Bird” and “Cosmic Explorer” on C6’s.
Rodney Earp flew his “Golf Ball” on C6’s and his sons “Big Dog” also on a E18.
F Scott Robinson flew a NAR “B Cluster” Big Orange, on B6’s.
Doc Russell flew his “Tigger” (I think it looks like a add for Duncan Donuts) on a H128 on a dual deployment, with separation at apogee and main chute deployment at 400 feet.
Successful with a close recovery, even in the wind. He also flew a NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s.
Greg Bullock flew a “Super Bertha” on E9’s for nice long burns into the wind to just drift right back to the pads. His “Baby Bertha went up first on a A8 then a C6, the “Hi-Flyer” on a A8 and the “Cyclotron” on a B6.
John Tolppi flew his NAR “Glider” on a 1/2A3 and the NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s. The “Golf Ball” flew on a C6 using a left-over rocket from a BMS school bulk pack.
Connie Tolppi flew her “Double-D” on 2 D12’s and the “BMS” school pack rocket on a C6.
Erica Owens flew a “Golf Ball” on C6’s and her NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s. Her NAR “Glider” flew on 1/2A’s.
Sandy Houston his NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s.
Shawn Becigneul flew a “X-Flyer 2” on a A8, a “Gnome” on 1/2A3’s, a old Estes “Wacky Wiggler” on a C6, a “Der Red Max” on a B6 and then a C6, and then his “Speed Freak” on a C6.
Roy Potter, I should have waited till Sunday, but I flew my 2 NAR “Glider” flights on 1/2A’s.
Chad Sides flew a “RZ” on a H110-7. Who makes the H110 ?
Connor Sides flew a “Un-named” (LOC V-2?) rocket on a G69.
Doug Knight flew his big ole politically Irish “Green and Orange” on a Aerotech H123.
Jim Mac Monagle flew a “Explorer” on a E9.
John Bergsmith flew his “Golf Ball” on C6’s and his NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s.
East Alexander Middle School TARC team, Doug Knight mentoring, flew the “Red Falcon-1” on a number of F36 Cessaroni Blue Streaks for test flights and qualifications.
UNCC USLI team, mentored by Charlie Ogino flew the “ADM” and “Charlie-3” on I299’s on a dual deployment, with separation at apogee and main chute deployment at 700 feet. Sometimes the cargo section was tethered to the main body and sometimes to descend separately.
Bryson Smith flew a “Magnum Hornet” on ad12 and a SemRoc “Hawk” glider (not NAR) on a A8 for a windy flight. A”mini-Max” flew on a B4.
John Moorey flew a Estes “Patriot” on a C6
Sunday 17 March 2013.
We had 24 fliers who put up 77 flights burning 117 engines. That includes multiple flights, multi-stage and cluster flights. With the “B” engine clusters, the “B”’ numbers are really up.
A= 5, B= 48, C= 23, D= 4, E= 11, F= 10, G= 9, H= 4, I= 1, J= 2, K= 0.
Greg Bullock flew a “Strong Arm” on a F40, a “Baby Bertha” on a C6, a “Big Bertha” on a D12 and
a “Super Bertha” on a E9, A “Mean Machine” flew on a E9 which is sooooo much better than a D12, and then the “Hi-Flyer” on a B4.
Roy Potter flew my “Coke” (only has its base white coat for now) rocket on the Estes Pro-series-II G80-7’s and a new extended LOC “V-2” on aero-tech G77R-6’s. Test flights before I finish the paint and decal jobs. That’s right, I fly them naked first.
Doc Russell flew his new “Sham-Rock” for St Patties day on a E23, his “Golf Ball” on a C6 and his NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s.
Sandy Houston flew his “Golf Ball” on a C11 to shake things up, his “BMX” “B Cluster” on B6’s and a Estes “Tercel NAR Glider” on a !/2A for the best flight of the weekend so far.
Don Carson, retired and relocating here to the south from Maryland brought out a great R/C, Radio Controlled rocket glider, See the pictures in the Gallery, a upscaled version of a Ravon freestyle glider. The “RavonLing” first boosted up on a A8 for a medium guided flight, then on a B6 for a longer guided flight. For the NAR glider competition he flew the “Drunkin Idiot” on 1/2A’s of which the second flight was so good it went up and out of sight over the creek and into the trees. BUT, the fight counted because the glider was later recovered by myself, and John Bergsmith when returning with his Interceptor from the far field. Random chance that we would walk right upon it in the trees. His NAR “B Cluster” rocket the “Sober Morning” flew on B6’s.
David Tomkinson flew a Estes Pro Series-II “Leviathan” on a G54R and a LOC “Fantom” on a H238 for a L-1 Cert flight attempt. I hope he made it.
Devon Tomkinson flew the “X-518” NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s.
Courtney Tomkinson flew a Estes “Super Alpha” on a C6.
Joe Pettler flew a “Big Bertha” on a C6 and a Estes RTF “Chrome Dome” on a C6.
Jason Pettler flew a nice LOC “Mini-Magg” on a H238T and a “Viper-3” on a cluster of 3 E9’s. His NAR “B Cluster” flew on B6’s.
Rodney Earp, really got down to flying with his black and white pattern LOC “V-2” on a H123 that landed in the Simpson pasture but easily recovered. A “Centurion” flew on a C6, his NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s, a “Big Dog” on a F12, his SILVER Award “Mega Mosquito” on a D12 for its first flight, after seeing that I think a E9 will be more than enough for it. His “Patriot” flew on a G64, his Second place “Golf Ball” on a C6. A “Hyper Loc 835” flew on a I327 Dark Matter Sparky on a dual deployment, with separation at apogee and main chute deployment at 400 feet.
Michael Strunk flew his First place “Golf Ball”, the “Slazenger” on a C6.
Dave Strunk flew a “Honest John” o a E23-10.
Spenser Thompson, GDS TARC team leader flew the “Dale Jr” on a series of F36-7 Blue Streaks with eggs and altimeters for timed flights. See pictures of a tree recovery.
John Bergsmith flew the best Estes upscale kit produced, the “Interceptor-E” on a E20-7 that turned away from the wind and instead over the creek and trees to the far field, but that was OK because that enabled us to find Don’s winning NAR contest glider on the way back. His Third place “Golf Ball” flight flew on C6’s and his NAR “B Cluster” on B6’s. Another beautiful Estes upscale,(not a Kit, darn it) is his Estes “Mars Snooper” that flew on a E15 and his “Mega Der Red Max” flew on a G76-7.
Spenser ? L ? (penmanship) Flew a rocket named “Crazy” on what looks like a two stage, C6 to a 1/2A? The “Thunder Hawk” flew on a B6, the “Mit Night” on a B6, “Serno” on a C6, the “Rubber” on a C6 and a extended V-2, the “Der V-3” on a D12.
Marcus Harmon flew the “Electric Shadow” on one F32 with six C6’s that air started in sets of two each. I really would have liked to have seen that. It is soooo cool when that air start thingy works. His red and white Full Scale “HV ARCAS” flew on a J357 on a dual deployment, with separation at apogee and main chute deployment at 500 feet. His “IQSY Tomahawk” first flew on a G77-7 Redline fine then went up like a bullet on a G75-7 Sparky never, to never to be seen again. We all were watching the pad for fire and when we looked up, it was just gone. No sight, no sound.
J? or T? Arenet? (penmanship) it says flew a “4 inch” L-1 cert attempt with a unk H? Can’t read anything.
John Miller flew the “Assimilater” on E9’s, a rocket ( a Estes Astro ?) named the “NCC Voyager” and the “NCC 1701 Enterprise-2” on a B6 and a C6.
Steve Rhudy flew a “Mad Cow” for a L-2 cert flight on a J500 on a dual deployment, with separation at apogee and main chute deployment at 500 feet. I hope he made it with a pass. His aptly named “P-Chutter” flew on a F40.
Sponsored by Sandy Houston:
Blair flew the “Launcher” on a C11 and a “Baby Bertha” on a B6.
Taylor flew a “Wizard” and the “Star Dart” on B6’s.
Nathan flew a “Full Moon” on a B6 and the “X-Wing” on a cluster of three B6’s.
Hope everyone had fun and are looking forward to our next launch 20 –21 April, till then, remember to keep your exhaust nozzles clear.
Roy. ROCC Sec.