LAUNCH! Schoolyard January 10, 2011

I only got two rockets in the at the NEFAR launch this past Saturday so this morning I made up for it.
These launches were at the nearby soccer field, so MicroMaxx and low power were flown.

First up was a FlisKits MMX freebie, the ODYSSEUS.

The FlisKit Free Stuff is HERE.

I'm retiring this one, it only got 30 feet in the air. One cool thing though, it does turn over after apogee, the ejection fires and it lands standing on the tiny wire legs.

This was the first flight for the recently finished ASP Micro JAYHAWK.

A slight tail wag was noticed during boost.

Even with the two lead fishing weights in the nose it got great altitude with a MMX engine.

At ejection this model breaks apart right above the mid line and tumbles in.

Others have written this is a hard one to track, with today's overcast skies it was pretty easy to follow.

For a odd-ball flying cup, the UP! CUP flew high with a Estes B6-2.

It was still going nose up when the ejection charge went off. A C6-3 is the best engine choice for this one.

The picture shows the underside after eight 18mm launches. The inside front of the cup has a light coat of 15 minute epoxy.

While the cup is still strong, the eventual kit instructions will recommend a light epoxy coat throughout the inside body walls.

Today I launched everything with the new LED LIGHT VERSION of the ESTES ELECTRON BEAM Launch Controller.

Thanks go to John Bishop for the new controller. Estes sent John some kits and starter sets for a Christmas toy drive. The new LED launch controllers were also included for John and friends to try out.

Estes is showing positive changes in their product line. An LED continuity light certainly updates this controller. The LED is less prone to breakage over the old glass bulb.

The picture doesn't show how really bright the red LED is. Even in direct sunlight there shouldn't be any question if it is lit.

Apparently, this could also solve early continuity light ignition of the newer Quest Q2G2 igniters.

I'll be doing more testing soon. Note: The controller is yellow plastic overall. I added the red launch button and black trim to the sides with colored electrical tape.

Also launched:

The carded MERCURY REDSTONE had a great flight on a 1/2A3-2t engine. The small aero spike broke off the nose on recovery.

My original MMX SKY WRITER had it's 16th successful launch. It's still the highest flyer in my MicroMaxx collection.

Four of the five launches today used recycled MicroMaxx igniters. I don't burn through the MMX igniters using a six volt system. With a 12 volt system, you will burn igniters in half at the thin "bridge" section.