Rain, Wind, Snow, Frogs... Updated

Update: Yep, as we thought tomorrow is looking pretty dodgy, so we're going to call it a no-go and launch next weekend, the 15th & 16th.

Bring those Christmas shopping lists, Ken should be with us and since he's not at Camden this weekend (they've cancelled as well by the way) he should be well stocked!

Doc R.

Well folks, sorry to post this but Saturday is really looking iffy with the prediction of rain at 90% chance by 1 PM, and then you all know what they're saying about Sunday. 

We're likely going to push back to our regular 15th & 16th launch window, which long range forecasts have it looking fairly decent right now. 

I'll post a confirmation go/no-go later this evening once I hear back from the rest of the officers but it's looking loke a no-go as of 4:30 PM on Friday. 

dr

We're off to a wet start...

Right now the weather forecast for this weekend is not in our favor. Saturday looks to be rainy or drizzly all day, and Sunday the day starts with showers and then continues with 15mph winds. Lovely! What doesn't get us with rain & cloud deck gets us with everybody going off the field toward Mr. Simpson (oh, didn't I mention that the winds were from the Southwest? Sorry about that).

So current thinking is to scrub this weekend and hope for a clear day next weekend (8th or 9th, we'll pick the day that looks better) where we can at least get some flying in, then to have our usual 2-day launch on the 15th & 16th. 

We hate to start the season this way but weather is what weather does. Remember that the 8th & 9th is also Camden, SC's launch window, maybe their weather outlook will be better. 

(Pirate voice:  Arr, 'tis a fickle hobby, maties!)

dr

2019 season slowly approaching...

I rode out to the farm on the 4th to get the pads and check up on things to get ready for our next season. Because of the long warm season we've had we're running behind where we've been in the last few years. The soybeans are still covering most of the fields so getting on the field is probably not going to happen until the first weekend of December, the 1st & 2nd. 

Ken has it on his schedule to be with us that weekend as well, so it'll be a good chance to refill those rangeboxes. To try and make up for the late start I'd like to see if we can do a second launch in December before Christmas and then try for our sixth (?) annual New Year's day launch. 

You can check out the full schedule on the side bar and all of the launches in our area on the ROCC Google Calendar. If you look closely at the full calendar we've tried to work in concert with the surrounding clubs to not step on each others launch windows... which means that on almost any weekend you can find a launch withing a few hours drive. 

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Doc R. 

Aerotech 1-day SALE

Hey all... I just got a call from Ken Allen from Performance Hobbies. He got a call from Aerotech that they're going to do a price increase on Monday, 10/22. 

BUT...  If you send him an order TODAY, 10/19 he'll do a 10% discount. 

I know it's short notice but at least it's a shot...  his email is:  kensrockets@rocketmail.com

Hmmm...  Christmas might be early this year...  

dr

4th Annual Charlotte Mini Maker Faire October 13th

Come and join us at the 4th annual Charlotte Mini Maker Faire at Discovery Place on October 13th from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM. Here's the link to the site: CMMF

We'll have a bunch of rockets to talk about and there's plenty of other things to see & do, like battling robots, 3-D printing on the cutting edge, laser cutting, fabrics and fiber arts, instrument builting and circuit bending, learn how to solder and much much more...  plus grab some swell swag (give-aways).

We've done this the last 3 years and it's a really fun day, getting to speak with chidren and adults about our hobby. 

dr

Update on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 9:03PM by DOC R.

Just wanted to pass along a big THANK YOU to Roy Potter and Laura Bailey for helping at the booth today, as well as all of the wonderful folks that we had a chance to speak with at bthe Fair. Also a big thanks goes out to the staff at Discovery Place for making the whole show possible. 

Head over to the gallery for a few shots of the booth before the crowds descended!

Doc R. 

Freedom Launch 2018 Recap

Roy Potter went down to Camden, SC along with several other of us on Saturday for Freedom Launch 2018! Please enjoy his description and then head on over to the Gallery to view some great photos of the event. Doc R.

Click to read more ...

Freedom Launch!

HI folks...  2 things, first the ROSCO folks are flying this weekend in Camden, sport launch rules are in place so the field is open to anyone, so if you're itching to fly you might want to head down south. 

More to the point of the headline however regards Labor Day weekend...  Freedom Launch will be going on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of September so make plans now if you can to head down and have some fun!

Their launch schedule is HERE  and their facebook feed is HERE

Hope to see you there!!

Doc R.

A note about our friends to the south...

I got a great note from Sandy Houston the other day, and seeing as our Midland field is closed for the season it came at an opportune time. I had run into Sandy on July 7th down there when I went down to fly my totally rebuilt stretch Magnum on a K665. I had a great time, saw some old friends and had a great flight. I will definitely be back, although I have to work this next weekend so it'll probably be in August. Anyway, here's Sandy's thoughts on their new field... click the Read More button please! Doc R.

Click to read more ...

July update, and a memorial.

We got a report back from Ralph (he had the magazine inspection last week with the ATF) and the corn has shot up from all the rain and sunshine. It's not feasable to have a launch in July, so it looks like we'll be off the Midland field until the fall. 

That said, as you have read Kips mother, Dene Williams, passed away right before out regular June launch weekend. Her wishes were that any memorials be made in her name to the Crooked Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetary fund. We've been chatting about what to do and between John, Ralph and myself we thought that a sum of $150 to the fund would be appropriate. Kips family, both he and his dad have been instumental to where we are and our existance as a club. 

Since this is more of a personal thing, I am sending this out to the church this weekend in the name of the club.  If you'd like to participate, please send a check to John Bergsmith, our treasurer, at his home address, 1438 Piney Church Road, Concord, NC 28025. Make the check out to John. He'll keep track of anything we collect and anything over the $150 we'll send on to the church.

That's all for now, please think about taking a ride down to Camden SC and fly on their new field. I went down on June 9th and had a great time.

Doc R.

With Regrets, Kip's mother has passed away.

It is with a heavy heart that we pass along the news that Kip's mother, Willodene "Dene" Williams, has passed away after a long bout with cancer. Details are here: LINK

Memorials may be made to Crooked Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, at 7920 Crooked Creek Church Road, Monroe NC, 28110.

The Williams family have supported the ROCC for many years, through some rough times for both parties. We extend the entire family our deepest condolances and wish them our best in this time of grief. 

                                                                  Sincerely,   -  Ralph, Doc & the entire ROCC family