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Septembers launch had been scrubbed due to bad weather and scheduling conflicts, so we were anxious to get a launch in. The weather Saturday was poor, so we opted for Sunday. A little warmer, but a bit of a drizzle. We decided we would not need the waiver as most people attending only planned on low to mid powered flights. With only 8 fliers present, the pads still managed to stay busy, as prep time was minimal.

A total of 35 flights were made on the day, ranging from a couple of Mike's 1/4A's on up to several E flights. Motor totals are as follows:
2 - 1/4A
2 - 1/2A
3 - A
8 - B
11 - C
5 - D
4 - E

Most all were recovered sucessfully. Boy those little 1/4A kits are hard to find in tall hay. We will now take some time off to rebuild our fleets, and get ready to fly again when the lake freezes.

August 14, 2004

The weather was looking good for a change, at least for launching. We knew that recovery, on the other hand, might not be as nice. Between the uncut hay and the rain soaked ground, we expected to have our challenges. After talking with the landowner for a bit, a decision was made that we would have to carry thing out to the field by hand instead of driving out. After negotiating some small ponds and streams left by the recent rains, we got set up. A good crowd was on hand to watch the days events.

First to prep were Angela and Cara with their Skywriters. They decided to drag them both on A8 motors. Angela got the jump off the pad, but Cara got the better time aloft. They decided to do it again, but this time loaded with a B6. This time Cara got the jump, and it was off into the hay to recover the pieces.

High humidity seamed to contribute to several sputtering motor flights. Nick had one of the more interesting flights of the day. On ignition, the motor sputter a few times while still on the pad, lurching his rocket a few inches up the launch rod each time, before it finally came to life. Just when all seamed to be going right, the fun really began, as a series of wild spirals sent his kit streaking off into the waiting hay field. Of all times not to have a video camera rolling.

A vast assortment of kits were launched throughout the day. Nick, with his Diablo, Fat Cat, and Laser Sonic to name a few. Scott with his Intruder, Fat Boy, and Baby Bertha. Jeff with his Big Daddy and Warthog. Eric flew his scratch built carbon fiber kit along with his UFO, always a crowd pleaser. David and his family kept the pads busy with their kits ranging from a Cosmic Cobra and Mars Lander up to his 4 inch Amraam. His Sumo, launched on a Pro38 H128, proved to be the challenge of the day. After a great flight, the kit floated gently downwards. It drifted down range over the small tree line that splits the launch site in half. Not a big deal, as several people had a good line on it. After a few more launches, a search party set out on its recovery mission. After about an hour of searching, the decision was made to return to the pads and regroup. Another attempt would be made after the launch had been completed. That search was reluctantly called off after another hour long search through the armpit high hay and ankle deep mud while trying to avoid getting trampled by the people crazy horse that had jumped his containment fence earlier in the day.

Not wanting to abondon his level one certification rocket, David returned the next day for another look. His efforts were rewarded after another hour and and half search. The Sumo was saved to fly another day.

Thanks go out to all that showed up to fly and to watch. The day saw a total of more than 30 flights ranging in motor size from "A" to "I". With very good weather and only a couple of damaged kits to report, the day can be concidered a great succes.