January 17, 1998 Launch Report

Contributed by Tom McAtee

St. Louis Rocketry Association got the year off to a good start on Jan. 17 with our first launch of the year. In keeping with tradition, there was snow on the ground, but otherwise conditions were better than our previous January launches, with a high temperature of 35 and light winds. (Compare this to previous years, when we had snow falling hard and/or temperatures around 15.) Turnout was therefore surprisingly good, with around 12 flyers making 62 flights; everything from 1/4A to F motors were flown. Along with lots of good flights, it also turned out to be a good day for D12 CATO’s.

Kevin Souers put up good flights with his vintage Goblin and his Initiator; unfortunately the Goblin spot-landed on the roof of the Parks Department storage shed in the corner of the field - darn! Rob and Alex Chapie flew up a storm, including a couple of great two-stage Long Shot flights and a thundering flight of the Thoy Hornet on F62 Darkstar power. Mark Henriksen brought out his Silver Comet and was rewarded with the day’s first D12 CATO; fortunately the rocket was undamaged and later flew successfully. Jack Hollister also flew his Silver Comet on a D12 (or tried to), and also had a CATO (!). Jack added a second CATO to our total with another D12 in his original Bustard, shooting an impressive fireball out the top. Rob Chapie’s 2-D12 Maxi-Patriot blew one motor just after liftoff, the rocket slowly continuing upward. Mark and Matt McGraw put in several good flights, including Mark’s Onyx on F39 power; unfortunately Mark’s brand new AT Arreaux disappeared on its first flight, powered by an F25. Aaron Edwards put in several successful flights on reloads, and our hard-working secretary Dave Daven flew his Athena up to the limits of visibility.

We also had an SLRA first: the first 1/4A flight at one of our launches, by yours truly. Not quite like our first L (Steve Seger) or M (Jim Davis) flights, but hey, somebody had to do it.

Quote of the day: "Only an idiot would fly a D12 on a day like this." - Jack Hollister, putting a D12 in his Silver Comet.

In honor of the fortieth anniversary of the launch of Explorer 1, America’s first satellite, we held an additional informal launch on Jan. 31. The rocket gods smiled upon us, giving us unseasonably warm temperatures in the fifties, moderate winds. Visibility was excellent, with very clear blue skies. Approximately 10 rocketeers showed up, making 74 flights. A highlight was the flight of Jeff Brundt’s large Mercury Redstone model.