[RocketsNW] Launch report, Memorial Park, February 14, 2009

[John Lyngdal]

I had a great time at the launch. Many thanks for making the launch site
arrangements and hosting a fun event. Might have to bring something bigger
to fly next time.<BG>

John


-----Original Message-----
From: rockets-bounces at rocketsnw.com [mailto:rockets-bounces at rocketsnw.com]
On Behalf Of Keith Packard
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:27 PM
To: rockets; members; rockets at keithp.com; Robert Krausert
Subject: [RocketsNW] Launch report, Memorial Park, February 14, 2009

Thanks again to Robert Krausert and Tim Ryerse for bringing equipment and
helping setup and run this launch. Last months troubles with Copperhead
igniters was resolved by using a 12V lead-acid battery to power the launch
controller.

The usual statistics:

        Launches: 60
        Successful flights: 55
        Flyers: 18
        Most flights: John Lyngdal and Keith Packard (7)
        Rockets: 41
        Most flights: 6 (Red Phoenix, by Mike Ward)
        Biggest motor: F39-5 (Sprint II by Bob Welsh)

I've got a complete flight log if anyone needs more details.

We located the flight line in about the same position as in January, and
with light winds, we lost no rockets to the trees. Most flights ended on the
ball field, with a couple beyond the trees. Robert Krausert had one flight
that landed beyond a swamp; I didn't hear if he managed to collect the
rocket, but it was on the ground last we knew.

A big thanks to Tim Ryerse this month -- Tim bought a flight box and filled
it with goodies. He handed out raffle tickets to all of the junior fliers
and called out the winning number about mid-way through the afternoon. The
winner wore a huge grin and looked pleased to be taking home his very own
kit.

Tim's wife also sent him along with a couple dozen cupcakes decorated for
Valentine's day. I snagged a couple and enjoyed them immensely.
Thanks much for the treats! I hope her day was as much fun as ours was :-)

We started out the afternoon on an exciting note -- Robert's first E9 flight
went wild when the CD we were using as a blast deflector welded itself to
the bottom of the motor and went along with the rocket for a ride. After
gyrating a short distance off the ground, it headed for the spectators,
shook the CD free and finally spent itself in the grass.
Until this point, we have had no trouble with the CDs; they're
non-conductive and easily replaceable. I think we need to use some
clothespins to hold the rockets away from the CDs to avoid this in the
future.

Robert has been printing out custom flight cards for these launches, and (as
the data recorder), I have to say that his format is far better than the NAR
standard flight card format. Having a place to mark down the flight status
means we get some idea of how many problems we're having and can work to fix
those that are in our control.

The weather this month was also better; I felt warm the whole afternoon, and
by the end of the event we were looking at quite a bit of blue overhead.
Let's hope next month is even warmer!

Successes:
	PA system/launch control setup.
	Even more tables
	Tim's Pop-up, as it looked like it might sprinkle
	No treed rockets!
	Keith's new controller
	12V lead-acid battery (portable jump-start system)

Problems:
	Not enough custom flight cards 
	CD used as a blast shield
	Keith's children fear the cold

--
keith.packard at intel.com