Orlando R.O.C.K. Launch, April 4, 2015

Here's what it looked like when I got there around 10:00 a.m.
Lots of new people and about as many cars as I've ever seen at a ROCK launch.

Tom Dennon connects the clips on his Estes Air Show dual parasite boost glider. This is an impressive flyer, the two foam gliders split in opposite directions at ejection.

Next to it is a new SPUDNIK launched with an A10-3t.
Boost to an estimated 75' was still squirrely, but the landing was on all four legs after it bounced once on the foam potato head.

The Odd'l Rockets LITTLE GREEN MAN had a great flight with a Quest B6-4 engine to maybe 300'.
The winds were picking up and everything I flew was landing in the next field to the east.







Today's favorite was Alex Irizarry's card stock Saturn V, an impressive build and flight conversion.
The E30 engine was almost too much for the card stock and some repairs might be needed.
After landing Alex received some well deserved applause from the spectators.






My Semroc LASER X hadn't flown for quite a while.
A toothpick fin detail broke off after I arrived at the field.
It had a good boost to about 300 feet with an Estes B6-4.
No damage on recovery.

Sorry, no launch photos for these two:
The Odd'l Rockets SPOOL was very stable and labored to about 200' with an Estes C6-3. At ejection a fast spin slowed the recovery speed.

My last flight of the day was the Quest AS-1 ESCORT with an Estes A8-3. An old Centuri Shur-Shot igniter took a while to start the engine. Estimated altitude was 225'. Full parachute and a soft landing with no damage.

Lonnie B. brought his wife Sue to the launch today.
In addition to flying some impressive clusters, he gave me a lesson on my newest instrument, a slide Trumpet. Lonnie is an accomplished French Horn and Baritone player.
I picked up some valuable pointers about embouchure and prepping the slide.