SSSS – 2008

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Ah – I misunderstood. Usually when people refer to a “dart”, they mean a boosted dart – a two stage design with no motor in the upper stage. Extremely high altitudes can be acheived this way – for instance the Loki Dart used a large N class motor with a fast burn (1.8 sec) to fly a 9# dart to 250K’ AGL. The booster burned out by 13K and the dart just coasted the remaining 237K’. As you can see, this is potentially a phenomenal performance boost just from dropping the weight of your motor and having a properly weight-optimized sustainer to maximize coast time.

A Cirrus Dart is a standard bird and you’d be welcome to fly it for either the SSS or SSSS. I’m not sure if the 38/720 case required for the J350 completely fits in the airframe though. You might end up sticking out an inch or two.

Warren

[AdrianParticipant]

I’ll go in for the SSS. A lack of a deadline on entering that, plus plenty of other projects is why I haven’t entered already.

[Anonymous]

One way to add a little drama and still have fresh players coming in after the first flight is to NOT publicly announce the altitude of an SSS or SSSS boost. Participants could fly, have the LCO witness the altitude, and turn it in privately. Warren (contest director) would have to keep the tally to himself until season’s end. Then, at the annual meeting, you could start with the lower altitudes and work your way up to the winner.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

I like that idea John. It leaves the altitudes secret until the annual meeting – possibly a better solution than cutting off entry. The crux is getting flyers to keep their altitudes a secret.

W

[Kenneth ReillyParticipant]

Simple enough – make disclosure grounds for disqualification

[Anonymous]

If a flyer pipes up, he is only hurting his chances at winning. If I were lucky enough to have an astounding flight that had serious bragging rights, the more people I told, the fewer would enter. It would be self-regulating, methinks.

For my part, I’d keep very quiet if I had a good boost. That or I’d tell everyone I hit 1,114’……. 😉

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

This is several new rules… though ones I think no one would have any argument with:

– Entry is open all year.
– Fliers will complete 2 flight cards, one to be turned in to the LCO which will NOT report the resulting altitude of the flight. A second copy will be submitted to the Contest Director with the altitude reported and the names of two witnesses to the altitude reported by the altimeter. It is recommended that witnesses not be participating in the contest so that your altitude won’t influence anyone else’s flight strategy.
– Resulting altitude of all SSS and SSSS flights must be kept secret between the flyer, Contest Director, and the flyer’s witnesses. Release of the altitude by the flyer is grounds for disqualification.

This system depends heavily on the honor system for keeping results secret. As Contest Director, I’m going to voluntarily disqualify myself from participation this year.

Warren

[elviss_boy]

I hope to be flying Forward On To Dawn on a J-350 and later the J record, I think beating John in altitude would complete my life wishes 😆

[Anonymous]

Kyle, you absolutely have the skills to take some of these records – I mean that sincerely.

Warren – one final clarification – per the other threads, this remains a *SINGLE* shot sweepstakes, correct? You splatter, you lose it, you shred it, you have an altimeter reset, too bad? That is certainly how I vote, anyway. If you have an infinite number of mulligans, then it should be called the Multiple Shot Sweepstakes 😯

I am referring to both contests (SSSS and SSS)

JW

[elviss_boy]

Thanks John, I think I have the skill but my rockets going straight up and all the way up hasn’t been going well, we shall see. And on what John said yes, one shot and one shot only.

[Author]

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