Yesterday was a fantastic day to launch rockets in Michigan. It's one of those days that comes about once a millenium and I was Hellbent on taking full advantage of the opportunity.
- 5.38" Diameter 6' long Woody (the rocket AND me )on a 5-grain Pro38 J, trimmed to 8 seconds. Great boost, chute at apogee, reasonable walk. I'd give it an "A".
- Lil Johnny Outhouse - new kit from Newton's 3rd Rocketry on an F20-4. Straight boost with a bit of a wiggle. Ejection was at apogee, but chute AND streamer got a little tangled (note: the kit comes with a
- Lil Nuke on an F25-6. Good boost, long walk. No damage.
- Lil Johnny Outhouse on an AT G35-4 Econojet. Straight boost with a more pronounced wiggle. Chute (small flare chute in baby deployment bag) tangled on one of the Lexan fins and freed itself just feet above the ground. No damage, heart racing though.
- 6' long 2 1/2" diameter Matchstick (wood-grained contact papered rocket with bulbous red NC with white tip to resemble strike-anywhere match) on an AT G35-4 Econojet. Good boost and recovery
- CARDE 4443 all fiberglass 4-piece rocket (see Magnum website for picture) on an Ellis G35-4. Lumbered off the rod and weathercocked away from the spectator line. Long walk, no damage
- 1/3rd scale FTBOD on an AT H165 Redline. Dead straight boost, nice red flames, ejection well past apogee. Good thing it's rear "spool-type" ejection. No damage.
Got to see an L1 and L2 cert at the launch as well. A great day was had by all. If we had more flying days like that in Michigan, I'd be a pauper by now. ;-)
Mark Simpson NAR 71503 Level II God Bless our peacekeepers