Launch Reports, 3 of 'em!

Combined launch report for both December 2017 launches and the New Year's launch on January 1st.

TYLER DEATON. You won a Rocket in last years Rocket Raffle, I will hold your rocket till your next visit to the Launch Farm. It’s the white “Unk Scale Missile”, two motor, 24mm, cluster rocket. Congrats dude. And Congrats to all the other winners and a special thanks to all the participants.

ROCC Club Membership (along with the Raffle sales) covers the cost of maintaining the launch equipment, supplies and our association fees with the National Association of Rocketry and the Tripoli Rocketry Association plus covers our insurance.

Jason Pettler.

For memberships, check with Jason ( or Club web site WWW. Rocketry Carolina.org)

Jasson was not available these weekends (family stuff) so anybody who wanted to update their ROCC membership for the new 2018 season while on site, I was able to take care of that with the blank forms kept in the club secretary box.

Remember, any $20 membership (which can cover your whole family) comes with a ROCC Club “T” shirt. Check with Jason on styles and colors available.

 LOST AND FOUND. Check the box for a few nose cones, and a few other odd items. We do have a small LP blue-ish/purple rocket.

Pictures. Check the Gallery for launch photo’s.     We see everyone is    taking photo’s.            Get them onto the ROCC Club WEB Gallery both 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, memory card or flash drive. We can always get it back to you. That’s how I do it.

Saturday, 2 Dec 17.

Both days alternated sunny and overcast but the clouds were high and after 10am the temp was comfortable with almost calm flying conditions.

Most rockets basically went up and came almost straight back down. The only exception was those flights that decided to just go that “wrong-way” or had unplanned apogee chute deployments.

Not as many fliers as we were expecting for the beginning of the new flight season so things ran in a “Fly’em when you Got’em” format.

We had  21   fliers , put up  52   flights burning  55   engines .

A= 4,  B= 1,  C= 8,  D= 4,  E= 7,  F= 4,  G= 8,  H= 8,  I= 8,  J= 3,  K= O.

Remember, what I write is influenced by your penmanship and spelling.

Joshua Spice and Calab Knight flew the teams “TARC Practice Rocket I-3” on

G65-10’s and a F20-4 and F29-7.

Doug Knight flew the “Dads Rocket” on a H195-10.

Lenior Rhyne Rocket Team (Doug Knight) flew the “HS X-1” on a H125-7 and H165-10 for test flights. Testing the systems.

UNCC Rocketry Team (Charles Ogino) flew the “Tiny Rick” on a J250 with a Jolly Logic deployment set at 500ft but the (1500pd test) swivel link pulled apart so it came down in two parts. Not too bad, print up some 3-D parts and its expected to return next launch.

Jeremiah Brennan flew a Madcow  “AGM Pike” on a I285r with a good dual deployment at 500ft. The “Pac-3” flew on a I300 with a good dual deployment at 500ft. His Madcow “Torrent” flew on a H669 with a good dual deployment at 400ft.

Sandy Houston flew the “Diamond Back” on a C6-5.

Erica Owens flew a new rocket of her own design called the “Snow Flake” that fly on the mini Estes motors. She has the packaged kits available through her at “Sales@rocketjerk.com” or Ken Allen’s Performance hobbies. She flew them on 1/2A3-2t’s and really high up on the A10-3t with a streamer recovery.

She also flew a classic Estes “li’l Bertha” on a C6-5.

Doc Russell’s Sem-Roc “Scorpion” flew on a E9-6, the “Duce” flew on a cluster of two C6-5’s and a upscaled Estes “Interceptor-E” flew on a E30-6. (which always looks so cool under thrust.) His “MAKO” flew on a D12-5 and a “Phoenix” flew on a new from the factory, Estes E12-6 which Kato’d. What? Estes later compensated (dr note: THANKS Estes!).

Liam Thrower flew the “Alien” on a I195 with a good dual deployment at 500ft. He also flew a LOC “Mini Magg” on a H133-7.

Mike Nay flew a Madcow “Cow-a-Bunga” on a H100-8 with a Jolly Logic deployment at 300ft. his “Triple Trouble” attempted a flight with a F15-6 center main engine that ignited normally, with two E9-4 fall-a-way boosters that BOTH Kato’d. WHAT?

Steve Brown flew the “Stump” (looks like a tree stump or a short telephone pole) on a I245-8g and a I284-7 both with a Jolly Logic deployment at 400ft. His LOC “Hyper-Loc” flew on a J1299 with a good dual deployment at 500ft. A LOC “Forte” flew on a G61-10 with a Jolly Logic deployment at 300ft. His classic Quest “Cobalt” flew on a B6-6 and a Estes “Hi-Flier” flew on a C11-5.

Michael Strunk flew a naked mega upscale fiberglass Fat Boy “Tweedle-Dum” on a I212-11 with a Jolly logic set for 500ft, but the chute jerked open at apogee resulting in the only tree landing just on the very edge of the facing treeline. So close but just out of reach. A real bummer being so close.

Charles Ogino flew the “TRFKNAB” on a G65 with a very short delay but stayed together for a safe recovery. His “Alien 38” flew on a unk  38mm 3 grain H for a successful flight.

Ryan Bergsmith flew his “Mega Mosquito” an a D12-3.

John Bergsmith flew his “Phantom Exc” on a J350 with a good dual deployment at 500ft.

Roy Potter, I flew my “Union Jack” (with the British Flagg chute) on a G64-4 while rear eject “BOB” flew on D12-3’s. Another rear eject,“The Missile” flew on E9-4’s and the “Test-III” flew on a D12-5.

Alan Stephenson flew a nice “Nike Smoke” on a I430-7 and a Madcow 4inch “V-2” on a I175-9.

Eric Noguchi brings out some interesting rockets. A scratch built “Vortex”, a Helicopter return design flew on a C6-3. A upscaled Estes “Raven” glider went up on a C6-3 and a “Canard” boost glider flew on a A8-3. Some tricky spots on lift and deployment, but once free the trim and glide were great.

Mark Bartkowiak flew a Apogee “Skunk Wolf” a secret German WWII theoretical  rocket plane design, flew on a F39-6 with a Jolly Logic deployment at 400ft. His “Xarconian Cruiser” flew on a C6-7 and a “Puma” on a A10-3t.

Mike Stokes flew the “Pocket” on a H182 for a L-1 cert flight. Results are Unk.

Devon Tomkinson flew a LOC “Onyx” on a very fast G131-7 for a great flight.

Sunday, 3 Dec 17.

Same basic conditions, more sun I think.

Again, we ran a in a “Fly’em when you Got’em” format.

We had  14   fliers , put up  47   flights burning  49   engines .

That includes all clusters and multi-stage flights

A= 9,  B= 6,  C= 15,  D= 3,  E= 5,  F= 3,  G= 2,  H= 5,  I= 1,  J= O,  K= O.

(Remember, what I write is influenced by your penmanship and spelling.

Sandy Houston flew the “Diamond Back” on a C6-5 then test flew Erica’s lazer cut “Christmas Tree” yes it does look like a flying Christmas Tree, the “Flyin’ Fir” on a D12-3. It flew straight and steady straight up and when the nose separated. It really did a soft flutter glide landing.

Erica Owens reflew her self produced kit, the “Snow flake” on  A3-4t and  A10-3t mini Estes engines. Her shaded ice blue on white color scheme looks good.

Natalie Smith flew a Estes “Heat Seeker” on a C6-5 and Orange Estes “Li’l Fat Boy” flew on a B6-4 in a drag race with brother Bryson.

Bryson Smith flew a Green ‘li’l Fat Boy” on a C6-5 then a B6-4 in the race with Natalie.  Natalie got the speed and Bryson got the altitude.

Doc Russell flew his 5.5" “A-8” variant of the V-2 on a I284 then the “Tigger” on a H180-7.

Scott Pennington could only play hooky from other responsibilities for only so long so he speedily got in 9 flights before running for home. His 4in LOC? “AmRaam” flew on a H135-6 with a Jolly Logic deployment set at 500ft. The flight was good but his chute folding tangled the J/L so the chute bundle did not deploy. Minor fin damage, the field is soft right now. His “Nike Hercules” flew on a F50-6, the “Green Zombie” flew on a H90-7 with a successful Jolly Logic deployment at 400ft. The “Galaxy Chaser” flew on a E9-6, a “Harpoon” also flew on a E9-6 and then a “Nike Smoke” flew on a F25-6. The “Orange Flash” might need a bit more nose weight when it flew on a E9-6. “Big Bird” (which looks nothing like the one on Seseme St) flew on a F15-6 and last a Estes “Cosmo” also on a E9-6.

Braiden Walker flew a Estes “High Flyer” on a B6-4 and a Estes “Rip Tide” on a C6-3.

Carson Walker flew a Estes “Sky Writer” a #2 rocket pencil on A8-3’s and C6-3’s. He also flew a Estes “High Flier” on a B6-4.

Trent Dominick flew the “silver Bullit” on A8-3’s, the “Dark Arrow” on a B6-3, a Estes “CBU-87 Cluster Bomb” on a C6-3 and the “Prospector” on a C6-3. His “Orvile” (inspired by the new TV show?) flew on a B6-4.

Duane Dominick “Test” flew a 3-D printed helicopter return “Version-2” on a D12-5 with good and bad results. More work he says, then mass produce. He also flew the “Fluster Cluck” (a kit of another name?) with a cluster of three A3-4’s of which two ignited greatly limiting its altitude. Maybe B’s next time.

Mark Ferrell flew his “Green Ghost” on a H220 with a dual deployment at 400ft that still kissed the treeline landing only 20 measured feet from the trees reach.

Roy Potter, My LOC “Ext V-2” flew on a G64-4.  the scratch design 4in rear eject “T-4” flew on a H128-6, for those who arn’t expecting it, the rear ejection catches them by surprise and can’t figure it out. Snicker..Snicker. “The Missile” rear eject flew on E9-4’s,  My “BOB” rear eject flew on D12-3’s and then the AeroTech “Red Arcas” flew on a G42-4 with a conventional ejection.

Kylee McDuffie flew her Estes “Amazon” a number of times on C6-5’s.

Carl Simmons flew a Estes “Sprint” on a A8-3.

  Saturday, 16 Dec 17.

Both days started with frost on the ground being burnt away as the sun spread across the fields. Sat was sunny all day, Sun was overcast but warmer. Winds, what there was, was almost calm, Sunday we did get a drift to the north and Mr Simpsons farm. Was suggested, days with northward winds we move on down to the next irrigation ditch line to get more distance.

Again, not as many fliers as we were expecting for the beginning of the new flight season so things ran in a “Fly’em when you Got’em” format.

 We had  15   fliers , put up  41   flights burning  44   engines .

 That includes all clusters and multi-stage flights

A= 5,    B= 4,    C= 13,    D= 5,    E= 3,    F= 6,    G= 2,    H= 2,    I= 3,    J= 1,    K= O.

Ryan Bergsmith flew the “Bulls Eye” on a C6-5 and a “SLS Cargo Booster” on a C6-3.

Kimberly Bergsmith flew “Santa’s Polar-1” on C6-5’s.

John Bergsmith flew a Estes “1957 model Mark-III” on a B6-4. (How long has that been in the back of your store room?) The “IROL” flew on a I284-9, a Estes “Big Bertha” on a C6-3, a model from the Goonie Bird collection, The “Gee Bee Goonie” first on a C6-3 that Kato’d then another C6-3 for a successful flight.

Lenoir Rhyne Rocket Team (Doug Knight) flew the “HSX-1” on a H145 with a two part chute return. Spring mechanisum for electronics package separated without damage, booster recovered, copular with chute are long gone. The “PSR-1” flew on a I350 for a altitude test flight with a stratologger.

UNC Charlotte Rocket Team (Charles Ogino) reflew the “Tiny Rick” with reinforced swivel rings successfully on a J250 with a  successful Jolly Logic deployment at 500ft.

West Iredell High School Tarc Team flew the “ERST” on a F51 and “Chester” on a F29 doing altitude test flights.

Doc Russell flew his Flis-Kit ‘Duce’s Wild” on a cluster of two C6-5’s of which one did not ignite. Didn’t get very high and just kind of turned and laid down in the field. His “Hercules” flew on a D12-5 and the upscale Estes “Interceptor-E” flew on a E30-7 always looking good under thrust. His Christmas themed “X-Mas Wish’s” wrapped in wrapping paper, flew on a F27-7 with a  successful Jolly Logic deployment at 500ft.

Liam Childers flew a LOC “LOC-IV” on a H123-10 for a L-1 cert attempt. It was last seen in the far, far distance disappearing past a far tree line. It just got a totally unexpected altitude and a apogee chute deployment.

Charles Ogino flew his “MECO” on a I115 with a Stratologger dual deployment at 500ft.

Malcolm Smith flew the “Odd Li’l Rocket Critter” on a D12-5, and a Sem-Roc “Goliath” with a cluster of three B4-4’s. The “TMRK-60” flew on a C11-5.

Devon Tomkinson flew a LOC “Onyx” on a G125-7.

Sandy Houston flew Erica’s lazer cut potential kit, “Doh, Christmas Tree” again on a D12-3 and a E9-4 looking for the best motor for the kit.

Erica Owens flew her kit rocket “Snow Flake” on mini A3-4t’s with streamer returns.

Eric Noguchi flew a E-Rockets “Heli-Rotor”, another helicopter return rocket on a mini A3-4t and a Model Rockets “US Canard” Glider on a A8-3. His “Ring Hawk” (I’ve seen them before and it is really aerodynamicly cool) It flew on a C6-3 that at ejection one set of circular ring fins (like a sprite) move forward making a forward airfoil acting like a set of glide wings for the front. It is a glide return design.

Roy Potter doing test flights finding the chute folding tech for a Jolly Logic in  4inch and 2 ½ inch rocket bodies. The 4 in “Zombi Hunter” flew on G40-4’s, the 2 1/2in Thumper on F30-4’s and F42-4’s, all with the Jolly Logic dual deploy at 400ft. The Zombi Hunter “Chuffed” on the pad a lot on one G40 so didn’t make the 400ft, but the J/L safety feature automatically deploys the chute if it detects that it hasen’t reached the programed release altitude before sensing that it falling back down reading greater air pressure instead of less.

Sunday 17  Dec 17.

Again, not as many fliers as we were expecting for the beginning of the new flight season so things ran in a “Fly’em when you Got’em” format.

We had  6   fliers , put up  22   flights burning  22   engines .

 That includes all clusters and multi-stage flights

A= 4,    B= O,    C= 3,    D= 2,    E= 5,    F= 3,    G= 2,    H= 3,    I= O,    J= O,    K= O.

(Remember, what I write is influenced by your penmanship and spelling.

Roy Potter, I flew “the Missile” rear eject, on E9-4’s and E15-7’s, “BOB” rear eject, flew on D12-3’s and the “Zombie Hunter” on  G40-4’s with a J/L deployment at 400ft.

Doc Russell flew his Estes Pro Series II “Ventris” on a F32-7 that may have been a 12 sec delay. The chute deployed fully as the nose section stretched the shock cord to kiss the ground. No damage.

Evrett Harrell was happy to be out with his dad and kept going back out to fly his Estes “Alpha” on A8-3’s and a C6-5. He was a happy grinning little guy.

Scott Pennington left the house saying he was going to the store for bread and ended up out here to get seven flights up before heading back with the bread. He flew his “Lance Delta” on a F42-4 with a J/L deployment at 400ft, his “Black Gold” flew on a Estes F15-8 and a “Galaxy Chaser” on a E9-4. “Old Glory” flew on a H90-6 with a J/L deployment at 400ft and a LOC “Blue Mini Magg” on a H550-7 with a J/L deployment at 400ft, His upscale “Der Red Max” flew on a G77-7 with a J/L deployment at 400ft and a Estes “Cosmo” on a E9-4.

Duane Dominick flew a LOC “Golden Jet” V-2 on a H115 sparky for a L-1 cert flight that passed once Charlie got him and the rocket back from the Simpson farm. It also got a unexpected high altitude with a apogee chute deployment.

Trent Dominick flew his Estes “CBU-87 Cluster Bomb” on C6-5’s putting streamers on the bomblets, but still lost two of them.

I 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.

Part 3, January 1st, 2018

Roy couldn't be with us on the first, so I'll take this part...

We had 5 fliers that braved the frigid temps (it was about 15 degrees at my house when I was making tea in the morning! - dr) and the stiff wind out of the North, but Ken made it back and had all of the rocket supplies you could possibly have needed, a blessing for me 'cause I left my HP motor box sitting in the shop! Thanks Ken!

Mike Nay flew his Ascender on an E-16 with a Jolly Logic release at 200', then his Estes Sahara (a kit I'm not familiar with) on an H115 again with the JL release at 200', both flights were perfect. 

Scott Pennington volunteered to be the wind test dummy, flying his "Wind Test Dummy" on a C6-5, then flew his Cosmo on an E9-4 and his Black Star also on an E9-4, which took off into the wind and almost made it out of the field. Thanks to the wind it came right back to the pads!

Stacey Henegar flew his Estes Wizzard on an A8-3 and got some great altitude, then flew his Cross Fire twice on B6-4s and really made the most of the rocket/motor combo. It's nice to see a small rocket really use a fairly small engine to its max and get impressive altitude even in the winds we had. 

Kevin McDuffie flew his Amazon on a C6-5 and modified CSX also on a C6-5.

Doc Russell (me) flew the TERK, which has a really cool fin configuration, on a D12-5 and I was impressed how well it did in the windy conditions. Then I flew the Tigger on an H-123 with JL release at 500', I really wanted to fly at least one HP motor to start the year, the TERK a second time on another D12 and then wrapped up with my Duces Wild on a pair of C6-5s. 

Thanks for those folks that came out and braved the cold, hopefully it'll be a bit warmer in a few weeks!

As Roy says, keep the pointy end toward the sky and your nozzles clear!

 --  Doc Russell