UPDATED 10/10: Getting back to normal... kind of.

Update Saturday 10/10...  because of the rain and such, the folks in South Carolina rescheduled this Saturday to NEXT Saturday, the 17th. 

Looking for launches? Well, you're in luck! As our region slowly gets back to relative normality rocket clubs are starting to have launches again. As most of you probably know we've been severly restricted as to how many people can gather outside in both NC and SC the last 6 months. At last the tide is turning. 

Camden SC club ROSCO will be launching at their field in South Carolina on 10/10/2020. More information is located on their website HERE  or their Facebook page HERE

Next, the Saturn Rocketry Club in Hendersonville, NC will be launching on 10/26/2020, and more information on their launch is located on their website HERE  or their Facebook page HERE

Lastly, we're hoping to get back to the Midland field in November, keep an eye on this site or our FaceBook page located HERE

Stay safe everyone, and hope to see you all soon.

dr

ROSCO & ICBM Cancel July launch in Camden SC

Hey all...  I got a tweek on Facebook from Chuck Haslip about the Camden launch. Here's what they posted:

"July ICBM Launch is Canceled. Out of an abundance of concern for the health of our members and the public, we cannot hold a launch in July. We will hope for better numbers and focus on August for our next launch. We just can’t support traveling in 4 states (SC, NC, GA, FL) with the highest COVID rates to hold a launch."

In the current atmosphere with current numbers and the 3-week extension of phase 2 confinements in NC it was a long shot that it was going to be happening. The only thing we as residents can do is to help with everything we can to keep from spreading this virus... wear your masks, keep your distance, don't be stupid. 

As far as Midland goes we're into the real growing season and wouldn't be able to fly there anyway. That option will (hopefully) be back on the table come fall. 

There is a club in Hendersonville, the Saturn Rocketry Club, that is scheduled to launch this Saturday, June 27th. Their website is HERE. Barb tobin is a regular up there and posted it over on Facebook. They do up to "G" motors 

So, with all that said it doesn't look like there's going to be a lot of flying for another month. 

I will start catchinig up with email (I've been really slack about it in all this COVID stuff, we've been busier than ever at my office unfortunately and something had to give) now that the latest decisions have been made and we have a clearer direction for the next month. 

Last thing... Saw this on Twitter just now as I wa swriting this, Phobos has created a partial eclipse on Mars that was captured by the Curiosity rover mast camera: https://twitter.com/kevinmgill/status/1275181831223046144

Enjoy

dr

Jim Scarpine could use our help.

Got a note a few days ago, and some follow up from Ralph today. Our friend Jim Scarpine has been in and out of the hospital in the last 2 weeks with congestive heart failure. He's currently home, but in fairly bad shape apparently. He could use some financial support to get through this. 

Friends have set up a Go-Fund-Me page here: Jim's Flight to Freedom

Jim's been a fixture at many ROCC launches over the years, as well as ROSCO/ICBM and other area rocket launches. He's a big man, free with advice and help whenever he can. If you can do it, please consider stopping by the page and doing what you can. 

Thanks,

Doc R. 

COVID-19 Update 4-23-2020

Hi folks, Doc here... just wanted to put something up with the Govorner's update today. With the extension of the stay at home order in place until at least May 8th we're probably not going to be back at the Midland field for the rest of the season. I was going to go out and do some work to summerize the launch equipment for the fall. I will check on the crops and post back the status. 

All that said, I'm hopeful that by the end of May the ICBM/ROSCO folks could be able to host the Memorial Day launch in Camden. SC. Keep an eye on the site and the facebook pages. 

dr

COVID-19 update

Hello folks...  those of you that keep an eye on Facebook will have seen this already, but in the last 24 hours both Tripoli and NAR have released statements that no sections of either organization should hold any type of launch activities or meetings in the next few weeks in keeping with Federal and State executive orders on the COVID-19 virus. 

This is a blow to many folks, especially the students participating in the USLI and TARC compititions. They were both scheduled to come this weekend to do either final tweeks or preliminary launches for qualifications. 

I hope that you all stay healty, and if you can do anything to help folks that are in need please reach out and do it. 

Stay tuned into both the web page and our Face Book page for updates, we'll let you know as soon as we can fly. In the mean time, Ken at Performance Hobbies, as well as all the small businesses in our area, could sure use some business!

See you all soon I hope. 

dr

LEAP Launch Report!!

What a great Sunday!! Not so much Saturday... Roy Potter has brought together all the launch cards for the weekend's festivities, deciphered all the chicken scratches and compiled his report on the shenanigans from our first-ever Leap Year Launch! I was hoping for 2 days of launching fun but alas the winds were just too stiff on Saturday for most folks. It was a stretch when I slated it in, I was hoping they'd over-estimate the wind speeds but if anything they were higher than predicted. You know what to do... click the "Read More" link. dr

Click to read more ...

The LEAP-LAUNCH February 29th & March 1st

We are a GO for launching this weekend, starting a bit late on Saturday and then a regular day Sunday. 

Saturday we will set up at 11:30, flying by NOON. This should allow any rain that comes tonight to dissipate.

It's going to be very windy on Saturday, winds 10 - 15 mph but directly down the runway from the west. Kind of chilly as well, so dress in layers. 

Sunday is a good deal warmer, less windy at 5-7 mph but shifting from the WSW so kind of toward the Simpson farm. Watch your rod angles and your chute depolyments!

Ken should be with us this weekend since it's an off-weekend for him. 

See you at the pads!!

Looking toward Feb 29th & March 1st

Man, we've been burning up the emails today trying to decide on a try for flying this weekend. As pretty as it's going to be the runway hasn't faired well with the freeze-thaw cycling this week. Kip says tomorrow is out and Sunday is a long shot. So... next week is supposed to be wet early, then several dry days. We're going to try and do a 2-day launch next weekend, the 29th and 1st, so stay tuned and hope for nice weather. In the mean time, build, repair, and make your shopping lists for Ken.

Sunday February 16th Launch Report.

Our Sunday launch from the 16th of February is covered in detail by our great transcriber Roy, who deciphers our chicken-scratch and makes it all sound so nice. Click the "Read More" link to get the straight skinny... dr

Click to read more ...

Saturday the 15th is scrubbed, but Sunday's a GO!

Hey all...  I just got off the phone with Ralph and Kip, we're going to err on the side of safety as far as the runway is concerned and give it Saturday to dry out a bit more. Friday has been the first real day with sun and good drying conditions but it will be very cold tonight which means the drying will get shut down a bit. The runway itself is still pretty squishy at 5PM on Friday. 

Having a good dry day tomorrow will mean that Sunday should be a good day. Winds are not supposed to be too bad, although they will be heading toward Mr' S's place, topping out at 6-7 mph about 3 pm. 

Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy. Even on Sunday anywhere you walk off the runway will be a mucky mess. We have had 4-plus inches of rain in the last 7 days so it's going to take a while for that to drain and get absorbed, especially in the low areas of the field. 

I will have NAR L2 testing materials with me so if anyone wants to take the written part it's good for 12 months after you take it to then complete your successful flight. 

I will set the waiver to open at 10 am, so as soon as we get set up we can start making some noise!

-dr