Post Launch Report and Club Update:
We had a great launch this past weekend, weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky. We had some wind but as the day progressed it dissipated to calm. We launch 50 rockets up to 3 o’clock and wished it would never end but one does run out of engines at some point. The day was full of highs and lows and should’ve been accompanied by the Olympic broadcast of the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”.
Dan DiMase earned his level I certification with his Aerotech Rocket you can check out the video here: http://youtu.be/oTOD3Gr3Jrg
Matt Van Dume put up some stellar performances including his up-scaled Der Red Max. He also has some great video with his onboard camera, which can be seen here: http://youtu.be/Va5JaC-ag6E
Red Max
We also had two new young rocketeers a brother and sister team Gabrielle and Isaac launching their rockets with the persistence of a NASA team. Gabrielle after few successful flights watched unfazed as her rocket lawn darted. We quickly pulled it into the repair shop with some CA glue she was back in business for another successful launch. Isaac had some parachute issues but still successfully recovered his rocket, which at the end of the day, that is the mission. He finally solved the problem on his last launch and had a successful deployment and recovery.
Rod and his son Andrew made an appearance for a few launches and really impressed everybody with their SR 71 rocket glider and Andrew’s custom-made rocket was just as impressive .
Robert Harrington made an guest appearance with a quiver of rockets. The most impressive was a scale model of the Soyuz rocket, which he launched and recovered with absolute perfection.
With calm winds I also was able to launch my two-stage custom-built Solar Reach with success, some damage to the booster. I also launched my two-stage Hydro-Sandhawk, which is quickly becoming a favorite rocket of mine.
Ray DiPaola despite a family commitment brought the launch gear, set up, launched a few rockets and poof he was gone…..
Jeff Oppold was the RSO and LSO and everything in between but he did manage to get off his flawless D-Region Tomahawk. He did fly with a fin from my D-Region bone yard, which was payment for his expertise in dialing in the delay on the D-Region, money well spent.
In all we launched 50 +rockets and we appreciate every one showing up. We also had a few spectators show just to watch. One group saw the sign and just could not resists, how many time do you see a sign “Rocket Launch”
It was almost over a year since we founded the club and only 6 months since our first club launch. We have come along way we now have 6 mid/low power pads and 1 high power launcher and launch controllers ands safety equipment. We have a wide range of rocketeers from 8 year olds to retired engineers and all in-between. We could not have done this with out the support of our members and dedication of a few that made it all happen.
Here is video recapping the September launch that will get you going: http://youtu.be/8j0i7jN0cBQ
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