- This topic has 34 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago by
Bruce R. Schaefer.
Bruce R. Schaefer.-
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Anonymous
It was a treat to see so many old friends and meet a few guys who I’ve seen post here but had not met previously. I watched Sponge Bob and left, driving just under 700 miles from the N site to Ames.
I saw the moonburner M in JS L3 cert flight from about a mile away on Saturday – I was looking in precisely the right place at the right time. Impressive as it must have been up close, it was terrific from a few steps back.
I’m going to shorten that I rocket and really push it next time 8) that was my fastest boost ever, and the most gees I’ve ever pulled… around 75 gees. Phenolic is amazing stuff…
MikeS
When helping at the Estas pads, there was many times all eight
rods were filled and We were waiting for one person at the
mid-power pads on the right. Then the right woiuld be closed
with one mid-power and eight estas. With the scouts being there
I’m sure We all anticipated a lot of estes.Something that worked well. After the many ignitor problems,
I put four 29mm ignitors in My coat pocket. Ended up giving three
away. It saved many minutes of running back anf fourth. I would
give a small donation to supply ignitors at the LCO table to save time.just my 1/2 cent worth.
Adrian
Adrian Adamson’s attempt on John Wilke’s world G altitude record…
I’m honored by the the mention, Warren, but the flight itself was kind of the opposite of great 🙄 and definitely not in the same league as the other boosts. I’ll write more about it under the Electronics/post-flight analysis section a little later.
Warren B. Musselman
Adrian, John has -some would say perhaps for too long – held an utter lock on club altitude records. I know he’s said as much to me at the same time he took quite a bit of time to mentor me in various aspects of how to take them away from him. I think I was the first competitor serious enough to even try for them a few years ago when I took the E record and came within a few feet of taking the club F record from him. Then I started losing rockets and with two or three major F and G project birds laying out on the prairie wherever they are, I backed away somewhat dissillusioned. I have a bird set up for both the F and G in 24mm, but it has absolutely no room for tracking and now THE motors necessary to beat those records – the F32 and G55 – are out of certification. While I could still take the club record and possibly set a new world record, it won’t be a Tripoli or NAR record due to the motors. Further, the thing that has kept me from doing it is the near 100% likelihood that once the button is pushed they’ll never been seen again. Since 2004, I’ve gotten a tad sick of losing rockets. At this point I would guess there are three altimeters of mine on the prairie – all Perfectflight MAWD’s. (By the way, if anyone finds them – there is a reward.)
Making the attempt is what counts. It is an impressive design and you’re the first flyer I’ve seen who actually put a reasonable amount of noseweight in. My G record bird is carbon with carbon fins, an Estes plastic nosecone and 127 grams of bb shot in the nose.
Warren
Ed Dawson
With regards to all the posts about the need for more help to make things run smoothly – please remember this enthusiasm for future launches.
For most launches we can barely get someone to commit to driving the trailer.
When you’re talking about two pad managers, an RSO, LCO, and registration table that’s 5 people for a total of 25 shifts per day, times 3 days is 75 people needed. Plus someone should be watching over all this.
Let’s remember that what’s mentioned in this thread is that a lack of help is a major problem. Looking at it the other way — it’s volunteering that make this club work. Having new people chip in and learn what to do is the best thing ever. Acting as LCO or RSO let’s you see all of what is going on and it’s a great way to see what incredible projects our members put together.
My take is that we shouldn’t even think about adding another Pad Manager until we have people that can tow and RSO, and someone other than Joe to push the button at most launches. (Has anybody looked at the LCO standings lately?? – Prior to MHM it’s basically all JH)
There is no question that our three day launches have grown. If we want to keep them alive and keep them three days, then we need to recognize that it is people that are needed more than anything.
Having said all this, I need to point out that we had a great group of people help out this weekend. Many of the old standbys and a lot of new volunteers stepped up too. We should all give a huge round of forum applause to those who made this show go.
Thanks!!
Anonymous
Adrian, John has -some would say perhaps for too long – held an utter lock on club altitude records. Warren
Actually, there are now many capable guys wading into the competitive end of the pool and I’m sure some of those records will fall. Many are within reach (hey, the I just got incremented this weekend!) and the rockets that currently own those marks are really are not that complex. My “I” record was PML phenolic which had 2 layers of glass applied. No vacuum bagging, etc.
I really wanted to fly that same rocket with a J350 for SSSS, as it uses the same casing, but I really enjoyed just lounging around.
As previously noted, there were some really nice flights!
new2hpr
I totally understand Bruce’s frustration, as I was supposed to be working pad manager from 12-2, but got bogged down in my 1 flight of the day. I ended up working from about 2:30 to 6 doing pad manager, RSO, and LCO. Thanks to all for showing me what to do, or at least most of it 😉 . Like Adrian, I did the “pushed the wrong button” newbie LCO trick and fired the cannon when someone’s rocket should have gone. Sounded like one hell of a CATO. When Adrian left to help his family with dinner prep, I took over as LCO (and RSO and PM), as it was quiet. Boy that changed quickly! I was the proverbial one-armed paper hanger for a bit.
Lots of fun, and a good experience. Next time, I think I’ll try early shifts so I can focus on flying after. I rushed too much on my one flight of the day and screwed it up, though not catastrophic.
Ken
new2hpr
I think it would be very helpful for the PM job (and the RSO if he’s doing pad assignment as I did), to have some sort of identifier at the pads to tell what rod/rail is on each.
Something like a color-coded card below each rod, so we can tell how many 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, etc. From the table, the rails and HP rods need ID as well. I think it would speed it up considerably, as I spent a bit of time swapping rods and trying to match up people in line with what I had open.
Ken
Adrian
I have a bird set up for both the F and G in 24mm, but it has absolutely no room for tracking and now THE motors necessary to beat those records – the F32 and G55 – are out of certification
If it has at least 2.25 inches of 24mm coupler space for your current altimeter, then it has room for a beeline and a Parrot. I have 4 G37s left. I want to reserve 2 for attempting a 2-stage 24mm bird later in the year, so if I’m successful with a G re-do this summer, I’ll sell you one. Its cert runs out at the end of the year.
mule
Warren, I have an extra Beeline w/ radio you can borrow anytime you want. I have one set up on a small mount that makes it easy to work with….
Greg
Anonymous
MikeS
Adrian
Warren B. Musselman
Ed Dawson
new2hpr
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