Launch Recap - February 2nd, 2008 What a full and fun day This launch day we had a great turnout and lots of fun predicting our flight durations. While we had some durations go longer (and farther - into the trees) than we hoped, we still managed to only lose two rockets. Sure, Bracha Smith started the day with the first of the "lost rockets" in a tree up about 30' after a beautiful flight on a D12-7. Her Silver Comet just kept going, but it didn't clear the last tree on the edge of the woods and just hooked on the outer branches. We decided to try to use the Tom D. retriever pole later on after the day was mostly over. Roger and Tom did indeed recover the Comet! Also recovered was John Charlton's Coppertop which he also flew on a D12-7. It landed about 100 yards into the field across the road. Yes, John. It was right in the line you pointed out! It's waiting for you. E-mail us to arrange pickup! Chris H. did manage to get another of his E-9 rockets caught in the same rocket-eating tree as last month -- unfortunately well beyond the reach of the pole! We loved his "circular streamer" -- a 12" parachute with an 8" hole! Keep working on those recovery devices Chris! His last flight of the day was appropriately named "Non-Tree Seeking Rocket" which flew beautifully away from the trees -- except it went off prematurely due to a "sticky" launch button. It will be fixed. I promise, Chris! Back to the predicted duration contest. We had 13 contestants with 17 flights. Marc Doolittle managed to take first place with his prediction of 0.3 seconds from with his Gnome's actual flight time of 19.7 seconds. Kyle Chung, our Alpha III flyer, pulled in second place with 1.5 seconds difference. A new flyer, Ryan Travis, struck third with 2.1 seconds difference, and Tom D. was fourth with 2.7 seconds difference. That's a spread of just 2.4 seconds! Close!Congratulations all! Carl Campbell showed us how to fly a specialized cluster with his Delta IV Heavy on not just one, but three successful and beautiful flights. Brody Travis didn't let igniter troubles keep his "Outlaw" from taking to the skies, and managed a super flight on the third attempt. Go Brody! Russ Mozier showed us some nice duration flights with his tower-launched "Scratch" on a 1/4A motors. Thanks Russ for showing us how to do competition flying! Tom D. brought out an "oldie, but renewed goodie" - his Estes V-2 original in Peenemunde repaint. It hadn't flown for nearly 26 years, but did swell on a B4-4. Marc Doolittle also showed us staged boost gliding with his two-stage "CiCi" Boost Glider. The second flight did nicely. Other trimmed gliders and "helicopters" meandered nicely about the field, giving delight to the younger ones watching. We look forward to the NAR sanctioned contest coming in April. Get ready and practice in March!Thanks also to the Seminole Chronicle for giving us a wonderful review. Come out and see for yourself how much fun safe and educational model rocketry can be! Additional photographs are on Roger's PayloadBay.com web site. Impulse Breakdown Motor Count Comment 1/4A 3   1/2A 2   A 12   B 22 2 staged flights C 23   D 11 3 cluster flights(2 each) E 9   Total Number of Motors: 82 Total Number of Launches: 70 Approximate Total Impulse: 238.67 Ns (equivalent to a medium H motor)

Launch Recaps Launch Recap - May 3rd, 2008 We got started a little late on Saturday, but that did not dampen the full day's launch! Later in the afternoon we felt a few drops as a small shower passed over, but that didn't stop the launch either. Winds were from the south giving us the... [More] Launch Recap - April 5th, 2008 Saturday was a nice but windy day.  Winds were from the south, so we had a good opportunity to fly into the field for recovery.  The winds became stronger in the higher altitudes. As such, thehigher power rockets didn't fare well... [More] Launch Recap - March 1st, 2008 Blue skies, Temperatures in the 70's, minimal winds, open fields, quiet... wait, except for the occasional whoosh of  a rocket leaving the pads--yes--that was today at ROCK's monthly launch! A perfect day allowed for many really nice... [More] Launch Recap - February 2nd, 2008 What a full and fun day This launch day we had a great turnout and lots of fun predicting our flight durations. While we had some durations go longer (and farther - into the trees) than we hoped, we still managed to only lose two... [More] Launch Recap - January 5th, 2008 We had a slightly smaller turn out than usual (possibly due to the New Years holiday), but that didn't limit the fun or number of flights! In addition, we had guests from the Seminole Chronicle covering the launch. An outstanding article with... [More] Launch Recap - December 1st, 2007 What a great day at the field! We had Sunny skies until mid-afternoon, and it was a bit windy above 100 feet, but we still had a great time. This launch was dominated by the Steamer Spot landing contest. We had a number of other fun flights, but... [More] Launch Recap - November 3rd, 2007 Greetings after a BEAUTIFUL Saturday of fun in the sun flying rockets!  The moderate temperatures finally arrived!  Only the moderate Southerly (up to 10 MPH) winds gave us some challenges and we did lose a few rockets to the trees and... [More] Launch Recap - September 1st, 2007 Greetings after another WARM Saturday of fun in the sun flying rockets! Our turnout today was about average in terms of numbers but certainly not with regard to flying! Glad to have you all out after the soggy field in August!... [More] Launch Recap - August 4th, 2007 Today was different! Besides the reality that many of our regulars were unable to join us, we had several new faces at the launch. Welcome David and Andrew P, the Charleton family visiting from Phila, Jay and Brandon, and Trent, Alex, and Andrew... [More] Launch Recap - July 7th, 2007 We were really excited to be able to fly this month. As you may recall from our June meeting, we are now flying year round, and started the new cycle with this launch. We also decided to set up earlier to avoid the potential of early afternoon... [More] Launch Recap - April 7th, 2007 We were really excited to be able to fly in April with absolutely clear blue skies. The higher and variable direction winds in the morning caused us to limit our flying to smaller engines, but the afternoon, we were in full swing launching several... [More] Launch Recap - March 3rd, 2007 After losing our opportunity to fly in February because of the weather, we were really excited to be able to fly in March. Though the lower cloud ceiling and higher wind in the morning cause us to limit our flying to smaller engines, but the... [More] Launch Recap - January 6th, 2007 Wow! What a wonderful way to start the New Year- flying rockets! The unseasonably great weather not only attracted many Section regulars and a few old-timers, but also some new faces! WELCOME! We had twenty flyers and spectators and launched so... [More] Launch Recap - December 2nd, 2006 Another day of great flying! Welcome to all! Gliders and copters were definitely out today. We logged 63 flights across motor classes A thru F. With minimal wind and partly cloudy skies, we had prime flying conditions for the gliders and... [More] Launch Recap - November 4th, 2006 We had another great day of flying!Welcome to all, particularly Tom, Madeleine, and Jack C., hopefully your first time experience will result in many return visits! Thanks to Winston C. for your help yesterday in assisting as LCO! We logged 44... [More] Launch Recap - October 7th, 2006 We had a great day of flying at the October launch! Many new faces and a few new section members. Welcome to all, hopefully your first time experience will result in many return visits! We logged 62 flights across motor classes A thru G, a few... [More] Launch Recap - September 2nd, 2006 We had a great day at our new launch site. Turnout was small, probably due to the Labor Day holiday weekend. A total of ten flyers launched 38 successful flights- no rockets were captured by rocket-eating trees! Winds were light and variable,... [More]