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February 2010 launch report (2/27/2010)

On Saturday, February 27th, MASA held its second launch of 2010.  It was held at Sunrise Park Middle School in White Bear Lake.

This launch started at noon with sunshine, blue skies, temperatures in the low 30's, and a breeze out of the NNW.

A total of 62 flights were recorded on motors ranging from 1/2A to D.

A few of the flights:

MASA members - please send in your thoughts about the launch! 

Todd Carpenter writes:

I showed up about noon, and lots of people were already there and set up. The snow was remarkably deep.

Neal Higgins was kind enough to lend me his launcher for my launches.  Thanks!

My first launch was my new SteamBoy. The steam fitters went overboard and the rocket came in really heavy - 6.9oz dry. C6 motors top out at 4oz (wet), so I used my last C5-3. Since that was out of spec, I asked out resident federal safety expert (Ted) who explained the safe launch process to me. We doubled our normal standoff distance, and had a successful launch. Remarkably straight flight; new parachute and Nomex from Hub supported a flawless recovery. I was thrilled.

My second launch was a Flis Fric-n-frac (B6-0 to C6-0). Staging issues, some burn-through at the joint. Too much tape? Cold slowed down tape release at staging? Oddly enough, the C6-0 popped as if it had a charge in it.

My last launch was an Art Applewhite pyramid on a C6-3. Nice and straight, everything recovered.

Fun talking with everyone and watching the other launches. Seeya at the next launch!

Ken Jarosch writes:

Seeing that the snow was deep and we were flying from mid-field I decided to rely on the Estes controller and Pro Pad rather then making several trips back and forth with the heavier equipment. I brought the whole box of rockets out to the site so as not have to go back each time.

I started out with the GoonyBird Zero on a C6-5. At launch it took off at a low angle out of the field. The chute opened but it didn't really drift back. It landed in the top of one of surrounding trees. Note: This was the best finished rocket of my Goony Series. Figures.

Next I put up a 18mm Scimitar and 18mm two-part Pyramid on C6-3 motors. Both got good altitude and stayed close.

The first of my New Quest D5-4 motors was used in a Yellow Ultra-Delta Saucer. Even in the wind it got a good altitude with a long burn. It made a large rounded arc near the end of the burn with the tracking smoke coming all the way down. I never seen the ejection charge.

The Patriot was launched on a C11-3 with a 12" under-sized chute. Got good altitude with a long drift. Hard walking in the snow and crusted layer below.

Next I did something I promised myself I wouldn't do. Experiment with a Classic SpaceShipEarth Delta Saucer on one on these NEW D5-4 Quest motors. After about 15-20' in altitude the motor CATOed and destroyed the Saucer. Parts all over the place. The D5-4 (28609) blow a hole in the casing at the nozzle and ejection charge. There was a large split in the casing length-wise between the two holes

I finished by working on some mini-oddrocs. I flew a mini-Delta Saucer and a mini Pyramid on A10-PT's. Both went about 100' and landed close.

Regarding the D5's. The one that flew ok used a liner tube and the CATOed motor had taped CTR 1.5mm thick IF that had anything to do with it. Averages 1 for 2 or 0.500 success so far.

Jeff Taylor writes:

It actually turned out to be a fairly decent day for a winter launch! The highlight of the day was watching Todd's Steamboy make its maiden (and perfect) flight. I took a few pictures of it at take-off, but they didn't turn out too great.

I only made two flights: a Big Bertha on a B6-4 (it landed only a few feet from the launch area), and a Golden Scout on a B6-4 (I only saw the puff of ejection smoke and never saw it again). Thanks to all who helped me look for it though: Ted, Todd S., Todd C., and Carol. I haven't lost a rocket in quite a while so I guess my numbers were up.

All in all - not a bad day.

Alan Estenson writes:

For whatever reason, I hadn't expected there to be that much snow on the field. A couple hours of walking around in it sure exercised the leg muscles!

I had a total of ten flights - mostly older rockets and odd-rocs, nothing too exciting. I flew a freshly-built BOINK stomp rocket on a B6-2. My Alpha on a B4-4 floated off to the south. I couldn't find it, so it's probably on top of the school.

In a moment of silliness, I flew my "X-actron Projectile" on a long-burn Quest C6-5. The nose came off, but the parachute got stuck. Ted helped me locate it - stuck in the snow in someone's backyard across the street. Thanks Ted!

I was standing about 20-25 feet away when that D5-4 CATO'ed and obliterated Ken's saucer. I also bought a couple of those motors; I'll have to carefully consider what to try them in.

Todd's "Steam Boy" and Jeff's steampunkified ACME Spitfire were very cool!

Neal Higgins writes:

It was such a beautiful day that I headed to the field early. I arrived at the field about 11:15 and setup about 50 yds from the parking lot. The winds were less than 2mph so I thought this would be far enough out but the winds aloft were stronger. I loaded up and flew my Ninja on a A3-4T.  It flew great and even with a small streamer it drifted close to the parking
lot. As I was walking back Alan arrived then Glen close behind him. We decided we needed to move the launch area closer the NW coner of the field. This was the first launch with my newly modified camera tripod lauch pad and new controllers. The pad and controllers worked great. To all who borrowed my setup your welcome and I was more than happy to have let you all borrow it.

After a couple of flights and being tired of trudging through the snow I decided to bring out a box full of saucers, pryamids, gliders, copters and motros. The Art Applewhite 13mm Helix and 13mm DoubleHelix were my favorite flights of the day. I think I am going to hav e to build another one in 18mm or 24mm. I got in a total of eleven flights for the day with 1 shredded glider as the only casuality. Thanks to all who helped carry the MASA equipment back to my car.

The Details:

Full launch tally (PDF)

The totals were:  62 flights, 63 motors.  The cumulative total impulse was 430 Ns with an average total impulse of 6.8 Ns.  The motor breakdown follows:

(Alan Estenson)