Launch Report – December 17, 2006

No Saturday launch was held this month as we don't wish to run in to problems with the local hunters but Sunday was a perfect day for flying rockets here in North Carolina. The past few days have produced some unseasonably warm weather for us this time of year with near record breaking temps. Sunday was no different with beautiful clear blue skies, a slight breeze out of the west/south west and a high of 72*F. You couldn't of asked for better weather.

I wasn't too sure what to expect for attendance being so close to the holidays but what a wonderful day it turned out to be. Only about seven or eight cars on the prep line during the day and a few spectators stopped and parked on the edge of the road, watching our rocket creations racing skyward on trails of fire and smoke.

Here's a look at the motor use summary for this month:

Stewart Whiteman was first out to the pads this month. He launched a couple of spool rockets that made for some interesting flights as they flutter upward. His "Bullet and "Excel Jr" also made a few flights.

John Hobson had some of the closest recoveries of the day as he did last month. I kept telling him he needed to put up something with a "K" but I just couldn't convince him the field was big enough. Never the less he had some great flights.

We were joined again this month by the TARC 5023 team testing some designs for this years competition. Keep up the great work and we wish you luck in this years competition.

Launching the largest motor this month was Eddie Haith. An I364 in his Super Chicken for a fine flight that was recovered just over the ditch in the corn field.

We've seen some great rocket names on the flight cards and lately it's become custom to mention them in our reports. I think my favorite rocket name this month goes to Eric Smith with "Game Over". Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from the movie Aliens.

The most launches this month has to go to Mike Harris assisted by his two boys Alex and Christopher. A total of twenty flights with a verity of rockets. Way to go guys!

Well as this year comes to a close, I'd like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.

Paul Hoetjes, Prefect, Tripoli NC