March 15th & March 22nd launch reports

Saturday, March 15th

Welcome to the St. Patty’s, Sat 15 March Launch Report.

The weather was actually pretty good. It was warm, sunny and with a light breeze to sometimes light wind most of the day. Like many times, it calmed more in the later afternoon. We already knew that Sunday was going to be a wash-out so we took advantage of the conditions and flew all we could.

Also, look forward to our annual April “Campout Rocket Launch and Night Launch.”

Watch for information. Check the Web Site for updates.

There was a rocket team present involved with a Virginia rocket contest called the “DART Battle of Rockets” that came to test a large rocket that will deploy a robotic rover to track to a GPS target location. Similar to the contest in the last issue of Sport Rocketry magazine.

I hope you all were able to checkout NAR’s Sport Rocketry Magazine. There is a great article on the ARLISS rocket competition where “K” and “M” flights deployed robot gliders or ground robotic rovers that track as close as possible to a GPS target location. One deployed ground rover actually made to the GPS target.
ROCC club 2014 Membership’s.  See our membership officer Jason Pettler.

We have the drive going for the new 2014 flying season.

Membership funds go to the NAR and Tripoli association fees and insurance and cover the costs of maintaining the launch equipment.

ROCC “T” shirts. ( Any $20 membership comes with a ROCC T-shirt.)

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 assorted solid colored shirts... all with the colored ROCC logo.
 
Saturday, 15 march, another one day launch due to rainy weather Sunday.

Like I said, the weather was almost perfect, so we got a lot of flights up including a number of big and loud ones. See below.

We really had a crowd out there. I think there were three different school teams, two from East Alexander middle school, team A and Team B, then the group from Virginia test flying their entry into the DART Battle of Rockets in Virginia. I should have got more information from them.

We had 41 fliers who put up 137 flights burning 148 engines.

That includes all clusters and multi-stage flights.

A’s= 23, B’s= 9, C’s= 40, D’s= 21, E’s= 24, F’s= 18, G’s= 3, H’s= 3, I’s= 4, J’s= 2, K’s= 1.

Brad Shea, flew his tubular finned, “I am Tubey” (Brad has a number of Tube Finned rockets) on a G69, a Baby Bertha named “Flame” on a B4 and a “Aries IV” on a C6.

Greg Bullock flew a “Sprint” on a B6, the “Renegade” on a D12 and a “Baby Bertha” on a B6.

Scott Vaughan repeatedly flew a “Mega Mosquito” on D12’s.

Benjamin Vaughan flew a “Bronze Mosquito” on E9’s that core-sampled on the last flight, but is repairable. He flew another “Mega Mosquito” on a E9 and a “Silver Arrow” on a C6.

Roy Potter, I flew my small “Red Bull Pup” with the horse-shoe streamer on C6’s, the “Test 3” on D12’s and my 4inch Estes, Classic Series, “V-2” on a F39.

David and Michael Strunk flew a large scratch built “Bigger Bertha” with a lathed hardwood nosecone on a I150, dual deployed with the main chute successfully deployed at 500ft.

Then he had what looked like a original stock sized Estes “Big Bertha” but it was heavy with a all fiberglass body flying on a G77-R, with a dual deployment system successfully deploying again at 500ft. Then he slowed down with a “D Region Tomahawk” flying on a E9.

Malcolm Smith flew a SemRoc “Aero Dart” on a E12, a AeroTech “Mustang” on a E16, the “No Step” 2 stage on a C6 to C6 and his AeroTech “Barracuda” flew on a E16.

Michael Hollowell had one of the big crowd pleasers for the day. He prepped and flew his freakin big “Bruiser EXP” on a K805 green, main motor with two air start I218 redlines with a successful dual deployment at 700ft with back-ups on the both apogee and at 700ft. Really a great and loud impressive flight.

Michio Oliver flew a “Magician” on multiple D12 flights.

Mark Bartkowick flew the “Purdues Revenge” (old Estes spaceman reconfigured to look like a chicken) half glide half tumble recovery on a A8. A mini ”Mosquito” flew on a mini A10, the “Flying Stove Pipe” one half tumbles down, the other half, the stove pipe is balanced to glide back, flew on a A8, and his “S.W.A.T.” flew on a D12 with a mini altimeter to record the altitude.

Joe Pettler flew a stock Estes “Big Bertha” on a C6, the “Aura” on a F12 streamer recovery and a mini “Der Red Max” on a mini A10.

Kristin and Kaitlin Pettler flew a pink mega mosquito named “Pink Summer Fun” on E9’s, the single stage  of a Estes “Mongoose” flew on a C6 and then a mini “Mosquito” on a mini A10.

Jason Pettler flew his big black and white LOC 4inch “V-2” on a H128 for a good flight and deployment, but the nose broke free falling into the trees. It was found ok.

Barb Tobin likes a lot of the classics. A old “Red Eye” with the 3 long landing legs flew on a 1/2A3, a old Estes “V-2” flew on a D12 pretty darn high, (she had to walk over to Mr Simpsons to get it). A original mini “Quark” and mini “Mosquito” flew on 1/2A3’s. She got the Mosquito back.

Logan Nixon, team leader, flew the “DART TARC 1” on F29’s testing flight times, altitude and carrying two eggs.

Christian Joseph, team leader, flew the “TARC DART 23” on F39’s doing the same test flights. At some point later in the day for the different teams, some flights were for official scores.

Karia Dibert and Dave Morey flew the “Dart Bot 2”. This is the big rocket that will deploy on landing a robotic rover that will guide itself to a GPS target location. This is part of the Virginia DART Battle of the Rockets, similar to the “ARLISS” contest in the above article in NAR’s Sport Rocketry Magazine. “DART Bot 2” flew on a J500G on a test flight minus the rover, which was good because the rovers garage/cargo section broke free of its retaining pins.

East Alexander TARC Team A flew the neon green “HULK” on F79 smoky sams with the two eggs, altimeter and timers for test and official scored flights.

East Alexander TARC Team B flew the “Hornet” also on the F79’s.

East Alexander TARC Team C? flew the “Yellow Falcon” also on the F79’s.

Chuck Bracey flew a really nice upscaled “Der Red Max” on a long burn G54.

Cora Chapman flew a Estes “Flash” on A8’s, a B4 and then a C6.

Wesley Dunford flew the “Dark Legacy” on a E12 then a F32.

Miguel Gutierrez flew the “Black Hawk” on C6’s, the “Nitro” on a 1/2A3 and the “Red Bullet” on a C6.

Sandy Houston brought out a big and long neon orange three stage rocket. The “Three Stooges”, each stage with its own name. Booster Larry with a cluster of six E12’s, second Booster Moe with a cluster of three E12’s and Sustainer Curly with one last E12.This took it up to a great altitude where it dual deployed, separating at apogee and falling to 500ft for the main chute, then landing behind the tree line. All the boosters landed in the field.  It is always great when something that complicated all works.

Ralph Roberts flew a AeroTech “Initiator” on a F40 and after a little walk brought it back.

Scott Pennington flew the “Red, White and Blue” on a D12, the “Screaming Eagle” on a C6, a differently designed Estes “Interceptor” on a D12 that was a bit low and slow, then a E9 that gave it the boost it needed. The “Snoop Dog” flew on a A8 and the “Satelitta” flew on a C6.

Mark Ferrell flew his “Green Ghost”, dual deployment, (great green metal flake paint) which has flown in prior lives and rebuilt better and more impressive each time. Motor, HP, unknown but the reload blew out the rear retainer after getting free of the rod. It looks like it should be able to be cleaned out with some repair and touch up’s, and then go again.

Stephen Jamcog flew a “Sky Hawker” on C6’s and the “US Airforce” on a C6.

Chris Jamcog flew the “Twister” of which it was very good at, on a B4 then a series of C6’s.

Anthony Reis flew the “Not so Newborn” on a A8, B6, then a series of C6’s. A pink “Der V-2” flew on a series of D12’s which required 6 attempts for its first flight. A “Mach 5” also flew on a series of C6’s.

Travis Vashaw flew the “Elmer 2.0”, working it up on a 1/2A3, A3, A8, then a B4.

John Warner flew the “Athena 3”, a L-1 Cert attempt on a H133, motor ejection.

There were two different cert flights and I believe both were successful.

Sam Christenson made his “L-1 Cert Flight” on a H180.

Kendall Blankenship made his only flight with the “Flying Pickle” on a A8.

Charles Ogino had another big and impressive crowd pleaser with the BIG “Little John” on a J1055, very loud and very high. It was supposed to be a apogee deployment but came a bit late, the opening jerk cut the shock cord. The nose and chute landed on the field ok, but (luckily the field is still soft and moist) the body did a reported 18inch core sample. Charles carefully dug it out finding the body endured minimal damage. He thinks that after cleaning out all the dirt and minor repairs it will good for the next launch.

Doc Russell flew the Irish plaid “Sham Rock” on a F20. I call it the Tilted Kilt. His upscaled “Sprint XL” flew on a D12 and a Aerotech “Mustang” flew on a F24.

Doug Knight, when not mentoring his Alexander TARC teams, flew his “Yard Sale” (I know there is a story there) on a I245 green and with the good flying conditions, got it back on the same day.

Alex Ross flew a “Tomahawk 2.0” first on a A6 for a very low flight, then a C6 for a great flight. His “Pink Panther” mosquito? Flew on a 1/2A3.

Henry S ? flew a electrical tape wrapped Estes “Pencil” on a series of C6’s, the “Mini Me” on a 1/2A3 and then a A8. A rebuilt “Mach 5” flew on a B4 and B6.

Saturday March 22nd

Saturdays, 22 March Make-up launch from the rained out Sunday16 March St. Pattie’s Launch weekend.

Again, the weather was actually pretty good. Warm, sunny and with that light breeze to sometimes light wind most of the day. Still had to watch out for the Simpson Farm but many flights landed within reasonable distances.

This was another “make-up” flight day so that’s why we all need to check the Web site regularly for updates. Hint, hint, hint.

The Mitchell Community Collage TARC team was there with Prof Doug Knight (where he teaches engineering and physics) for test and official flights.

The Charlotte Catholic High School TARC team was also there to do test flights.

We had 24 fliers who put up 77 flights burning 89 engines.

That includes all clusters and multi-stage flights.

A’s= 4, B’s= 15, C’s= 14, D’s= 13, E’s= 8, F’s= 20, G’s= 5, H’s= 5, I’s= 2, J’s= 1, K’s= 2.

Mitchell Community Collage, Rock Sat C team mentored by Doug Knight, with a team of 10 students flew Doug’s “Yard Sale” to test payload, electrical subsystems, horizon camera and a accelorameter on a cessaroni H225 and a I345 motors.

Charlotte Catholic High School TARC team of about a dozen students and leader Matthew Gioia, made a series of test flights for altitude and time with the green “HULK” and the “Celestial Penetrator” on a series of F42’s.

Caleb Knight flew a Estes “Cherokee-D” on Aerotech E15’s and the “Big Rage” on a Aerotech D21.

Anna Brace Knight flew a Estes? “Lighting” on a Quest C6 that seemed to burn faster and higher than the similar Estes C6. Is that a normal characteristic of the Quest engines?

Keith Biddinger flew a very upscaled Estes yellow “Viking” with 5 big fins on a cti H225, the nose and chute separated, landing in the field and the body made a messy core sample.

He made up for that flight with the next to last flight of the day with the 10lb 3oz “Endeavor” flying on a J825R with a successful dual deployment at 500ft, landing just inside the field. It was great.

Brad Shea flew the big and long “Mean Machine” on a F32 making a Simpson farm landing. Then he made the last flight of the day at 5:56 with his classic, 6 tubular finned “2 Be, or not 2 Be” for a very high flight on a G46. He waited to see what Keith’s flight was like before he angled his rocket to allow for windage.

Scott Pennington flew a Century “Centuri” on a C6, the new Estes “Cosmos Interceptor” on a D12 then a E9. His “Warrior” flew on a C6, a Mars Snooper clone, the “Snoop Dog” on a low flying B6, then a “Vega” on a E9 and a “Cross Fire” on a C6.

Ralph Roberts brought out his custom built Blue “Cosmic Staff of Azul” to fly on a G118 that was planned to coast upward for almost 10 additional seconds before apogee deployment which still landed in the field.

Mark Ferrell flew a LOC “AURA” on a F24 with a high altitude streamer recovery and a Aerotech “HV ARCAS” on a F40 also with a streamer recovery. If it hits hard enough to pop off a plastic fin, you can just pop it back in again.

Louise Ferrell flew her blue Estes “Baby Bertha” on C6’s, her Estes “Storm Caster” on D12’s and her new LOC “Onyx” for its first flight on a E20, then a mix of F24’s and F26’s.

Laura Owens repaired her Estes “36 Double D” from last month and flew on a two D12 cluster and flew a nice silver mono coated LOC “Weasel” on a E23.

Michael Hollowell took to showing the TARC teams how big high powered rockets are put together and prepped for a clustered, dual deployed flight with his LOC “4-29SS” with a cluster of two H128’s with a, hold your breath, successful deployment at 500ft. He also flew a Aerotech “Mirage” on a G76G

Roy Potter, I flew my Aerotech “HV ARCAS” on a F39 reload and a F42 single use. My Estes “Silver Bullit” flew on a B6 then C6 and the custom “Zombie Hunter” on F52’s.

John Bergsmith flew a big , fat looking “Door knob EXL” painted OD green in US Army markings on a K590 for a successful 600ft dual deployment. Big, Loud and long burning.

Ryan Bergsmith flew a Estes “US Army” on C6’s.

Spencer Walden flew a Estes “Sky Twister” on a B6, I actually think it flew more than once, but only saw one flight slip. His LOC “Forte” flew on a G115 for a high flight that landed closely in the field and a Estes “Der V-3” on D12’s.

Cora Chapman was back and really likes to fly her Estes “Flash” on a series of B4’s and B6’s.

Mark Bartkowiak came back out pulling his small enclosed trailer full of rocket goodies to play with. He Earned his NAR NARTREK Bronze level award and is now working on his Silver award level. For that he started with a Estes “S.W.A.T.” on a D12 with a jolly roger altimeter for the first requirement and then his “Polbka-2” on a cluster of three A8’s for the second requirement. Then the rest was just for the fun of it with his “Ring Thane” circular fined three stage on a B6 to B6 to B6 that just looks cool. His Estes “Comanchee-3” three stage went from a D12 to C6 to C6, also a cool flight.

Malcolm Smith flew a classic Aerotech “Barracuda” on a F45, a “Praetor” two stage on a B6 to B6, a Semroc “SLS Explorer” on a E12 and a old classic I haven’t seen for a long time, a SemRoc “Lil Ivan” on a A6.

David Strunk flew his really nice, and well upscaled, “Bigger Bertha” on a I150 with a successful dual deployment at 500ft.

Michael Strunk flew a “Rapter” on a G88, another high flight that made a close landing.

Dave Popkin flew that really nice green and black  fiberglassed (no paint, check the pictures) rocket, the “Ugly Bull Frog” on a cti K2000 with 2 altimeter backups for a successful 300ft dual deployment.

Emily Nelson flew her custom airbrushed “Iron Man” themed Big Daddy on a D12.

John Warner flew a LOC “Athena” on a H163 with a 11 sec delay that was mostly used up coasting up to its apogee with a short fall time before ejection, a little walk but in the field.
 

Hope everyone had fun and will be looking forward to our next launch, till then, remember to keep your exhaust nozzles clear.

Roy. ROCC Sec.