DARS Frisco Launch
June 19, 2010

Got out on Saturday, June 19 for some old rocket flying. Flew some new rockets, too.

First up was my K-40 Midget clone. Great flight on an A10-0T/A8-5 combo with a 27" streamer.


Here's a liftoff shot courtesy of Bill Gee:


Next up was my CiCi2 on a B6-0 to A8-3 combo. The sustainer put in a good flight, but the booster sorta fluttered down, but with no damage. No matter how well the booster is trimmed, you're never quite sure how the booster motor's mass will affect the booster's glide. 


Here's a great shot courtesy of Bill Gee




Third flight of the day was the maiden flight of this Midget upscale (Quest T30) on a B6-0 to A8-5 combo with a 54" streamer. Great flight and recovery.
Bill Gee got this shot just as it cleared the rod.


Fourth flight was this experienced BT-55 upscale Midget on a B6-0 to B4-4 combo with a 60" streamer. Another great flight. Getting it out of the tree was another story, but thanks to Bill Gee and his telescoping radio antenna mast, it was a good recovery, too.

Here's another great pic by Bill Gee.



Last flight of the day was the maiden flight of my Enerjet Athena-inspired Tubena on a D12-5 with an 18" chute. I got a decent liftoff shot.

I didn't think the D12 was too much motor given the draggy shape of the rocket - tube fins are pretty close to air brakes.

It went into the sun, but I kept watching and soon had a track on it and followed it as it moved north. I looked down once to try to turn on my camera in hopes of getting a descent pic. I soon regained track and continued heading north. A moment later, I realized that my chute wasn't orange - that wasn't my rocket! Shoot!

In hindsight, I'm not sure when I lost it - did I pick up the wrong bird coming out of the sun? Or was it when I looked down at my camera?

Anyway, 2 hours later, still no joy, and by then I had a good sun burn
It's frustrating to lose a rocket on its maiden flight, especially when you're expecting so much out of it. Plus, I lost a nice, 18" nylon chute from Recovery Technologies. I love their stuff.

Several fliers helped me hunt for it, and I'm grateful for their assistance. I owe at least three beers

I've already begun assembling the parts for a replacement, but I'm quite bummed. Hopefully, starting on a replacement will get me in a better mood.


6-20-2010



Bill Gee got some great liftoff sequences.  Bill had this caption for this one:
"Bob Melton followed with his Red River Rocketry Merlin topped with an X-20 from Roachworks. It went unstable shortly after these shots were taken. I never got to talk to Bob to see what the damage was; I hope it flies again."



Here's another sequence by Bill along with his caption:
"Stuart Powley put up his Klingon Battle Cruiser. It wound up in arboreal tractor field and had to be rescued by a polish force."



Bill got this shot of Gary Brigg's upscale Patriot.



Bill took these pics of Stuart Powley's upscale Pagasus.



Lastly, Bill captured Ted Mahler's Fliskits Nell.  Said Bill, "Robert Goddard would have been proud."