ROC August 2000 Launch


Report by Greg Lawson

Our August launch started out with a beautiful clear day. We had our normal group plus some added new flyers. Mike Dwyer had 4 flights ranging from a D12 to a G35. The Brittons were there with Mark's TeleTubbie Killer 2 on a H112 and the Telletubbie Killer 3 twice on an I211. Roy Knyrim launched his PML Pterodactyl Jr. once on a H112 and again on an I161. Brian Sutton let his PML Black Brandt X loose with a H220. Hulan Matthies put his K What up to 4885' with a K700 and his Bruiser EXP to 5300' on a L850. Jim Banker went for the long burn motors. His Quantum Leap on a J135 and a Sudden Rush on a J90. Chuck Platista put his LOC Magnum up on a K185. Bill Farr had a good flight with his custom built Avatar on an I284. The Wahlquists were there in force. Amanda put up 4 flights, Steven had 3 and Michael had 2. Fred "The Strike Man" Ghareeb had 3 good flights. Steven and Gregory Child put up a total of 7 flights. David Reese put a F20 in his LOC Graduator. Rich Silva put up a total of 6 flights including his Fat-Fat Boy 2 stage. Art Adler launched "Space Buddy" on a M1315 but it separated and shredded all over the lakebed. Sometimes it happens! Melanie Kreisler put a G38 in her "Power Puff/Buttercup".

Our Vice-President Ron McGough passed some gas with his Hypertech J390 "Hammerhead" powered EON for a great flight. Most of England were in the bomb shelters for Kurt Gugisberg's V2 on a K700. Cory and Trevor Meeks put up a total of 8 rockets on Black Powder power. Chuck "JPL" Lahmeyer put up his "Tyranno Cirrus" on a H73. Carl and John Delzell put an I300 in their 1/3rd scale IRIS. Larry "Bubba" Jacobs was out and put up his "Kahuna" on an I284. Rick Magee popped a couple up on Aerotech power. I, your President actually flew - I put up my scratch built "Lunatic II" on a F23 and my "Golly Green Giant" on 3 D12's. Allan Farrington launched a VB Javelin with a H180 and dual deployment. Our very own Vennie Van Norman put up "Bug Colors on a long burn J135. Her husband John followed with "Y2K" on a K185. Other high altitude flights were Calvin McAllester's LOC Magnum on a K700 to 5860', Erik Gates put a K1100 in a PML Nimbus, John Walquist tried "It's Green" on an Aerotech J390 turbo hybrid to 4812'.

We had a number of certification attempts as usual. David McMillan got his NAR Level 1 with "Silver ROC". Jim Lam tried with an H124 that CATO'ed. Mark Weitmeyer got his TRA Level 1 with a PML Miranda on an H124. Ryan Meeks was successful with "Fingers Crossed" on a H123. Brian Moore pushed the envelope with a J350 in a PML Black Brandt. Larry Taylor put his beautiful upscale "Der Red Max" on an I161. Eric Gates did Level 1 with a Nimbus on an I211 and then put a K700 in his scratch built Aramis for his Level 2. Rick Dickinson certified Level 2 on his Big Green Crayon with J350 power then turned around and stuck the mighty K550 in it. The motor was mightier then the rocket and parts rained all over. The Gates Bros. launched their Aramis on a K700 and 3 I195 to be airstarted. The K700 lit but the airstarts were no go. Recovery was fine. Better luck next time.

Many other flights went this day and fun was had by all. Thanks to all the volunteers that took over the range so that I could actually fly. Motor usage is as follows...

Motor Usage for August 2000

    1/10A    0
     1/4A    1
     1/2A    3
        A   18
        B    8
        C   25
        D   11
        E    6
        F    7
        G   22
        H   21
        I   20
        J   10
        K   11
        L    1
        M    1
      ---------
           165

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