August 15, 1998 Launch Report

Contributed by Mark Henriksen

The St. Louis Rocketry Association held a model rocket launch at our Creve Coeur site on Saturday, August 15, 1998. From what I can remember, the weather was pleasant with a mild breeze. We got off to a late start, due mostly because of a football game taking place on the other end of the field. I'd like to extend the Club's thanks to Bruce Weidner for taking over LCO duties for the day.

Chris Gillham had the honor of being the first flier of the day at 2:15. His Quest Thunder thundered off the pad on a B4-4. Well, maybe thundered isn't quite the right word. How about fizzed. Whatever that sound Estes engines make.

Not to be outdone, Steve Mizerany was in attendance with his oddball. This rocket looks a little bit like a golf ball with wings...on Steroids. Steve also brought out his newly repaired X-15 for a flight on an E30. The rocket/plane boosted nicely and deployed into its glide phase. It glided, and glided, and glided... Unfortunately, Steve was unable to find it. The last I saw, it was heading for the lake.

Jeff Brundt joined in the festivities as well. He came prepared with several rockets. He started the day off with an Estes V2 on a D12 for a nominal flight. He than showed up back at the LCO table with a Boyce Mercury Redstone. Comments on the flight card simply read spectacular. It had a beautiful flight as well. It boosted on a G64 for a nice slow liftoff and minimal altitude. Jeff really outdoes himself on these rockets. He finished up the day with three more Estes rockets, a Super Vega, Sandhawk and a Titan IIIE.

Several of our regular members were in attendance along with many non-members. Jimmy Cleve and Jonathan Holland joined us and had several flights. Paul Graf flew his Estes Mercury Atlas, while Carl LaFoy launched an Estes Code Red. Steve Field was two for two, suffering a couple of recovery problems.

Other non-members included Denny Robert, Jeff McCoy, and Nick Robinson. Jeff had good flights with a number of Estes rockets and an Apogee Micro V2. Denny suffered an ejection failure with his Silver Comet, but came back to have a good flight with his Custom Equinox

Nick launched several interesting rockets throughout the day. A Custom Rockets Oasis, an Estes Yellow Jacket, which suffered a chute entanglement, A Perseus from The Launch Pad, and a scratch, built two stager named Javelin. He finished up the day with another Launch Pad kit, the Flail.

Rob and Alex Chapie were out and got down to business. They started off the day with an Aerotech Arreaux on an E16 for a nice flight and finished up with the infamous Thoy Hawk on an F52. Unfortunately, the Hawk failed to deploy and suffered quite a bit of damage. In between, they had five flights including three Acme rockets. Been taking clues from Wile E. Coyote again, huh?

I noticed a comment on one of my flight cards. It was a flight with my Broadsword on, what else, three D12s. Bruce, whaddya mean "It worked!" ? You really didn't need to emphasize it. A total of 17 registered rocketeers made 67 flights for a good day. Stock up on those motors, and we hope to see you all at our next Launch. September 26, 1998, at the same place.