Northwest Rocketry Image Gallery

Launch at Dayton, March 25, 2000

Submitted by Tim Quigg
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The first Blue Mountain Rocketeers launch of the new millenium occured on March 25th. 46 people attended, and we logged 106 flights for the day. Broken overcast dominated the day, with temperatures around 48 degrees. We had a slight sprinkle in the morning, but it lasted less than 5 minutes and didn't return. Winds were relatively calm (for Dayon anyway!) from 3 to 7 miles per hour. For the first time in 6 years, our launch control panel broke down, and there was a 1 hour layover while the panel was being field repaired (thanks to Ben Sauve for having a push button switch in his pocket!) The cheap launch push-buttons used in both VBR panels are going to be replaced before the next launch, so this won't happen again! The All Hobbies table was well attended, and sales appeared to be brisk. Scott Binder of BSD Rocketry was on hand as well. He sold several Horizon rocket kits, stickers and vinyl for rocket applications. His "name the rocket" contest was also very well supported. But I think he said a person who gave him a name over the Northwest Rocketry web ring won the contest. Congratulations to who ever won! Our October Sky poster raffle made a few more dollars, and we are at about $50 right now. We still have lots of tickets left folks!

I was pleased to see quite a few kids attend the launch from the school presentation I gave last week at Dayton Elementary. I saw several kids walking around with big smiles on their faces, and Estes Starter sets from the All Hobbies tables. In between stints at LCO and flying rockets (yes, I managed to get 3 in the air!) I was able to help 4 kids take their first steps into model rocketry by helping them prep their first flights.

There were 53 model rocket flights of A through D, 39 mid-power flights of E through G, and 14 HPR flights of H through I. There were lot's of great flights logged. Northwest Rocketry's own Greg Deputy and family attended the launch. Greg wowed the crowd with the flight of his 3xH180 Triad. The rocket experienced a hard landing due to a fowled main chute however, and suffered heavy damage. Greg shrugged it off though, and with a smile assured me it will live to fly again.

Chuck Layton treated us to a flight of the new I200 29mm rocket in a 3" diameter rocket. WOW! What a screamer! Chuck's comment on the flight card read, "What the Hell am I doing?!" Chuck also flew a PML Quasar on an H238 for a killer flight. And if that were'nt enough, he flew an odd roc pumpkin on a D12-3. Very cool flight Chuck! Chuck and Ryan Layton also flew a modified Starburst on an H180.

John Marbach kicked up his new PML QT Black Brant VB twice on H128's. Tom Ledgerwood flew an IROC on an H123. Scott Binder flew the new BSD Rocketry Horizon on an H128, proving the rocket is ideally suited for its intended purpose of level 1 certification. He also flew the new BSD Rocketry Diablo on an F62-4 Dark Star. He also flew a scratch built 4" Honest John on an I211. I managed to fly my Area 51 on an E18, but a fowled chute resulted in a core sample. I also flew a BSD Excel Plus on an H180. Jim Downey made several flights, but the one that really screamed was his "Hammer Down" on an I211. John Reynolds made several flights for the day. He made a real screaming flight with his Archer on a H242. Dave Emery also made a successful NAR level 1 flight with his PML Patriot on an H128. Welcome to high Power Dave! My thanks to Jim Downey for conducting the Level 1 certificaton documentation for Dave.

The final motor tally was as follows: 1/4 A (3), A (18), B (12), C (15), D (5), E (13) F (11), G (15), H (13), I (3).

Our next launch is Odd Roc 4 on April 8 at the Smith Hollow site. Weird and wacky rocketry will abound that day. Hmmm, where did I put that rubber chicken.......

A nice view of the launch site from a nearby hill.

Tim Quigg presents an award of appreciation to Tom Ledgerwood for helping out the club with a donated copy machine to produce the newsletter with.

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