Whitakers10.2004

October 23th & 24th 2004
Two Day Sport Launch

The weather forecast for Saturday was a little ominous and out at the field, it was a bit overcast. It all blew out by lunch time to a Carolina blue sky, although a bit windy.

I would like to remind folks that we are a community and need to support one another and our hobby. Our volunteer list for this launch was a might thin. We knew a few regular volunteers weren't going to be available but the numbers were still very low. Without Bill Shamblin and Dennis Hill, the launch would have been a slow crawl for everyone. Bill worked the RSO table all day while Dennis did about a 5 hour stretch as LCO. I was tending to the three certification attempts we had this month, and lending a hand wherever and whenever I could. I can't thank Bill and Dennis enough for all they did to help make the launch a success.
A special request to any level 2 flyers who launch with us - please volunteer some time at each launch so everyone can enjoy the goings on!

A look at this month's motor breakdown:

Impulse	Saturday	Sunday
A	2	21
B		3
C	5	3
D	3	2
E	4
F	6	1
G	3	2
H	7
I	2	1
J	3	1
K	1
L	1

Total Flights	37	34

And now for Saturday's news...

In keeping with what has become a tradition, Eddie Haith was the first to launch a high-powered rocket on Saturday. He successfully launched his 14-pound rocket called "Last Call" on a J275.
Will Marchant, a first time flyer at Whitakers, sent up an Art Applewhite 10-inch Delta Flying Saucer on an H48 for a successful Tripoli Level 1 certification flight. Congratulations Will and welcome to high power! Hope you join us often!
Gerald Robbins launched his Praying Mantis on a K670. The rocket got a little squirrelly near motor burnout, an unknown stability or wind sheer issue, causing an unexpected twist. At separation, the booster section became untethered, however the rest of the rocket was recovered under chute. At the time of this launch report, the booster section is still MIA.
Another newcomer, Stephen Daniel, joined Tripoli at the field and launched his LV1B on a G36 for a test flight. His second flight on the same rocket with an H50 was a successful Level 1 certification flight. Welcome to Tripoli and congratulations on your certification flight! Well done!
Mark Yeager launched a 4-inch scratch built rocket on an I161 for a nice smooth flight. Ejection was a tad early, but everything turned out okay.
Probably the most anticipated flight of the day... Doug Gamber, with Gerald Robbins' assistance, launched the "Triton 2 Stage," a 50-pound, 13 1/2 foot, 6-inch diameter behemoth. The booster section was loaded with an L1300 staging to a K605 in the sustainer. The L1300 roared to life, lifting the Triton with ease. After booster burnout, the sections drag separated as intended, but the electronics failed to light the second stage igniter. The altimeters did their job and deployed the mains bringing all components down safely. It was still a very pretty flight despite the second stage issue.
After passing his Level 2 exam, Blaine Jeffreys brought a little spice with his rocket entitled "Democracy, Whiskey, Sexy." Just over five feet tall, and fire engine red, its multi-diameter body ended with aluminum air brakes at the base of the fins. The name fit the bill. He launched it on a J270 for a beautiful take-off. Unfortunately, both sections came down without recovery, resulting in damage to the air frame. I'm sure we'll see him next month for another attempt! UPDATE: During motor disassembly, Blaine discovered the exit cone portion of the nozzle was gone. The onboard RDAS data showed a drop in thrust 0.3 seconds into the flight, confirming the nozzle had failed.

Sunday's report...

We arrived to dismal skies, drizzle, and wet shoes. The precipitation did not stop until late morning, however, the cloud cover remained over us the entire day. A few of our regular fliers returned despite the weather. We were joined by Troop 244 Boy Scouts from Cary after lunch. The boys accounted for most of the flights on Sunday, as well as a good dose of enthusiasm.

Young David Hash put together a a nicely designed rocket called "Excalibur" with a five motor cluster. It was prepped with four A10s and a central F21. The timer was set to ignite the central motor 1.1 seconds after the A10s, however the F21 did not ignite as planned. I'm sure we'll see David back trying to perfect his design!
David Hash, Sr. joined his son by launching his Number 2 Pencil rocket on an F50 for a spectacular flight.
Mark Yeager returned to launch a 4-inch scratch built rocket on an I161. It was also another successful flight.
John Monahan, a first time flier, successfully launched his "USA Freedom" rocket on a G64.
Frank Terhaar-Yonkers brought the unique moment of the day with his "Butts" rocket, a converted "put your butts here" cigarette disposal contraption. Launching on a J415, the liftoff was relatively straight. The nose cone drag separated resulting in a shortened flight, but all pieces were recovered.

Thanks to all who attended, participated, and volunteered. A special hello to the "three dudes" in lawn chairs - hope to see you launching your own rockets at future events.

Submitted by Paul Hoetjes
Prefect, Tripoli North Carolina

	In keeping with what has become a tradition, Eddie Haith was the first to launch a high-powered rocket on Saturday. He successfully launched his 14-pound rocket called "Last Call" on a J275.
	Will Marchant, a first time flyer at Whitakers, sent up an Art Applewhite 10-inch Delta Flying Saucer on an H48 for a successful Tripoli Level 1 certification flight. Congratulations Will and welcome to high power! Hope you join us often!
	Gerald Robbins launched his Praying Mantis on a K670. The rocket got a little squirrelly near motor burnout, an unknown stability or wind sheer issue, causing an unexpected twist. At separation, the booster section became untethered, however the rest of the rocket was recovered under chute. At the time of this launch report, the booster section is still MIA.
	Another newcomer, Stephen Daniel, joined Tripoli at the field and launched his LV1B on a G36 for a test flight. His second flight on the same rocket with an H50 was a successful Level 1 certification flight. Welcome to Tripoli and congratulations on your certification flight! Well done!
	Mark Yeager launched a 4-inch scratch built rocket on an I161 for a nice smooth flight. Ejection was a tad early, but everything turned out okay.
	Probably the most anticipated flight of the day... Doug Gamber, with Gerald Robbins' assistance, launched the "Triton 2 Stage," a 50-pound, 13 1/2 foot, 6-inch diameter behemoth. The booster section was loaded with an L1300 staging to a K605 in the sustainer. The L1300 roared to life, lifting the Triton with ease. After booster burnout, the sections drag separated as intended, but the electronics failed to light the second stage igniter. The altimeters did their job and deployed the mains bringing all components down safely. It was still a very pretty flight despite the second stage issue.
	After passing his Level 2 exam, Blaine Jeffreys brought a little spice with his rocket entitled "Democracy, Whiskey, Sexy." Just over five feet tall, and fire engine red, its multi-diameter body ended with aluminum air brakes at the base of the fins. The name fit the bill. He launched it on a J270 for a beautiful take-off. Unfortunately, both sections came down without recovery, resulting in damage to the air frame. I'm sure we'll see him next month for another attempt! UPDATE: During motor disassembly, Blaine discovered the exit cone portion of the nozzle was gone. The onboard RDAS data showed a drop in thrust 0.3 seconds into the flight, confirming the nozzle had failed.

	Young David Hash put together a a nicely designed rocket called "Excalibur" with a five motor cluster. It was prepped with four A10s and a central F21. The timer was set to ignite the central motor 1.1 seconds after the A10s, however the F21 did not ignite as planned. I'm sure we'll see David back trying to perfect his design!
	David Hash, Sr. joined his son by launching his Number 2 Pencil rocket on an F50 for a spectacular flight.
	Mark Yeager returned to launch a 4-inch scratch built rocket on an I161. It was also another successful flight.
	John Monahan, a first time flier, successfully launched his "USA Freedom" rocket on a G64.
	Frank Terhaar-Yonkers brought the unique moment of the day with his "Butts" rocket, a converted "put your butts here" cigarette disposal contraption. Launching on a J415, the liftoff was relatively straight. The nose cone drag separated resulting in a shortened flight, but all pieces were recovered.