Launch! L.A.S.E.R., Groveland, FL, May 17, 2020

This was my first club launch since the whole Corona Virus thing started.
A sunny day, easy social distancing with not too many fliers. The club is new -
Thanks to Shawn G. for launching my rockets so I could get pictures.

One of the Centuri VECTOR V builds was finished and had it's first launch with an Estes A8-3. Boost got it to 225'. I could see the engine blew out the back, the parachute did deploy. When the rocket was picked up I found the BT-20 engine mount tube torn. The engine eject tore the engine hook right out of the model!

The Excelsior HONEST GOON flew with an Estes C6-5 to about 450'. This launch and recovery was textbook - many of my following flights weren't so lucky.






The wind was starting to pick up a little. Jam Meridith checked the wind direction with her (make shift) meter.

Jan's husband Mike is the L.A.S.E.R. club president.
Here's a beautiful glide recovery of his Aurora Clipper. Boost was provided by a long burn E6 composite motor. 

Jim Lytle always brings the fun stuff!
He launched the Delta on the left with a D12 -
and a classic Mars Lander with a C6-3.






I've been experimenting with new kit ideas, this is a larger version of the Bruce Levison design CORKSCREW.
It uses the Odd'l heavy wall BT-20H and a 3" offset diameter ring. The off center ring make the low end "cone" as it goes up.

The Estes C6-5 really got some great altitude, with the spiral showing in the during the delay phase smoke. Estimated altitude was 700' with a tie-die rip stop streamer recovery. No damage.





Lonnie Buchanon launched his upscale Marauder with a C11-3 engine. Ejection was a bit early, but all was good for a close recovery.






Here's the second launch of the ORBITAL TRANSPORT LABORATORY, today with a B4-4 Q-Jet motor.
Altitude was estimated at 350'. Parachutes were tangling today. It had a bounce on touchdown and broke off one of the two glue point fins.





The Odd'l Rockets LITTLE GREEN MAN weather cocked and flew North! This was the first time it didn't go perfectly vertical. With the angle on boost it only got to 100' on the wasted Estes B6-4. No damage when picked up.




And another weird parachute recovery. The Seattle Rocket Works SLAT / S launched with an Estes B6-4 to 375'.

At ejection the rocket ended up shooting through the spill-hole in the parachute! Another hard landing, another cracked fin.





Here's how to finish up a launch day.

The New Way N-20 DEMON. This is one of those cool square rockets.
Today flown with an Estes D12-5 to around 650'.
Another tangled parachute and a fin cracked at the root edge.

Some days are diamonds, some days are tangled recoveries. Florida heat is back!
Seven launched, seven recovered with some fin repairs needed.
It felt good to drive if only for an hour.