LDRS Musings

[troj]

First off, as is typical, the KLOUDBusters have done an excellent job hosting LDRS. They're organized, they're on top of things, it's orderly, and things keep moving along.

Their plan of setting up a special bank of pads just for the TV folks is working like a dream -- a call goes in to the LCO along the lines of "TV 1 is ready". When the next slot comes up, the LCO launches that pad, then goes right back to launching everything else. No muss, no fuss, no disruption of the range -- the TV pads are at a safe distance from everything else, so they're free to do what they need.

Despite being exhausted (spent too much time after the Cosmosphere trip hanging out with my KLOUDBusters friends) from 4 hours of sleep, today was another fun day. Got to meet Scott and Evie Miller of Sirius Rocketry, as well as Scott Kormeier of Loki Research, along with many, many others.

Australia sent a pretty good sized contingent, as well, and I've met a number of them, as well as many others from all across the US. Meeting new people, and getting to see folks I've met before is always a good thing!

-Kevin

[troj]

What's LDRS without pictures?

Here's our Launch Director, at his finest!

-Kevin

[tfish]

Kevin..was that a bucket recovery?

Tony

[troj]

Kevin..was that a bucket recovery?

Pretty much.

I agreed to let Discovery film Smemo's Folly as part of their oddroc competition. Unfortunately, it sat on the pad with the altimeter armed longer than the battery could power it. So, no recovery.

Hindsight being that glorious thing that it is, I should have told them I wasn't going to arm the altimeters until they were ready to launch my rocket. Then I'd go out, arm them, they could film it fly, and all would be fine.

Bob was with me when I recovered it, and he decided to have some fun. :)

-Kevin

[dixontj93060]

Yep, I'd agree. Kloudbusters are real pros at this. As good as it gets!

Looking forward to the next couple days!

[GRIFFIN]

less talking, more pictures!!!!

[dixontj93060]

less talking, more pictures!!!!

Sorry, too busy prepping/flying to take pictures.

[T-Rex]

Wish I could be there... maybe next year...

[n5wd]

Mee, too. Wife had her knee replaced this summer, and wasn't up to hobbling out in the heat all day.

Oh, well.... again (he says for the third year in a row) maybe next time.

[BMAT]

OK, after 3 days of 100 degrees (or very near that), looks like the cooler weather has arrived. Temperature is dropping as I type this (0700L on 4 Sep). Early morning on Monday is expected to be 50°. True to form, the Kansas weather has changed drastically. Did anyone think on Saturday that you'd need a jacket at LDRS XXX ???

[troj]

This morning was pretty frosty out at the pasture. In addition, overnight, the area got some much needed rain. Unfortunately, that meant that my parachute bag, which I'd left at the range, also got some not-so-needed rain! So, I had parachutes hung all over the compound for much of the day.

Due to the wind, not a lot of launches -- it was pretty blustery.

Jim and Bob from the Hillbillies spent much of the afternoon with us, which was a lot of fun.

David and Evie from Sirius stopped by to say goodbye before heading home.

Tonight, Wildman hosted a BBQ, which was a fun event. Everyone there was given the opportunity to buy an LDRS XXX Wild Child commemorative kit, and those who wanted to could then enter to win an Extreme Wildman kit by being the fastest to fully build the Wild Child! Gerald Meux was the big winner -- congrats, Gerald!

Al Gloer offered me a shot of Johnnie Walker Blue; the offer is much appreciated, but scotch isn't my thing, so I declined.

This evening, we also got the pad set out for the Safety Rocket. Things are looking good for an early launch tomorrow.

-Kevin

[o1d_dude]

Al Gloer offered me a shot of Johnnie Walker Blue; the offer is much appreciated, but scotch isn't my thing, so I declined.

You WHAT?!

Paraphrasing Ghostbusters "Kevin, when someone asks you if you'd like a shot of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, you say "YES"! "

[MattieShoes]

Lots of people brought their own pop-up canopies, but the wind was enough to wreck a good number of them.

Some launching Friday and quite a bit on Saturday. It was 100+ degrees and windy enough to kick up tons of dust -- not very pleasant, but the attendees were still in good moods. :-) I was only there in the morning on Sunday, but I saw not a single launch -- the temperature finally cooled down but the wind was blowing awful hard.

The folks running the show were all friendly and remarkably well organized. Kudos to the kloudbusters! :-)

Some pictures... I didn't take many. The heat and dust made picture-taking not so much fun. I mostly sat under a canopy away from the flight line and watched em go :-)

Pretty much every field around LDRS looks like this:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6115342554_1b14517672.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115342554/)
037 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115342554/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

Except for one field, knee-high sorghum. Naturally, just about everything not going a berjillion feet up on Friday and Saturday was landing in this field... It's amazing how hard it is to find a rocket even when it's only knee high, especially when it's Kansas and you have no mountains to sight off of. :-) I had trouble estimating the distance (normal for me) and direction (not normal) to start hunting
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6115346854_10bcddfa1a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115346854/)
026 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115346854/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

Transporting in style :-)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6114797807_a269617a1d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6114797807/)
034 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6114797807/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

My own unnamed rocket on an H148. The announcer helpfully named in squirrel :-P Ejection was early and the parachute separated, so the rocket came down with just a shock cord. Luckily, no damage. :-) Many thanks to whoever found it and brought it to the road!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6114801495_24d178b667.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6114801495/)
024 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6114801495/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

A nice looking rocket on an M I think? I was mostly just waiting for them to get around to mine. :-)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6114802049_532f6d2197.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6114802049/)
018 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6114802049/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

Dad's Prion on a J250
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6115348372_b07ac712d0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115348372/)
010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115348372/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

Level 1 cert flight of a very nice lady who gave my dad water whilst traipsing through the aforementioned sorghum field after the Prion.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6115349282_05d50f9ea5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115349282/)
004 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattie_shoes/6115349282/) by mattie_shoes (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattie_shoes/), on Flickr

[rdbones]

Had a great time at LDRS! Wonderful time visiting and catching up with old friends and making plenty of new ones. I will have pics up soon.

[El Cheapo]

Way to go Gerald!!!! Don't let his boyish looks fool you. He's as sharp as a tack and a transplanted Hillbilly but don't hold that against him :D

[anthonyb]

Ooh, if Gerald isn't at all tired of launching maybe he'll want to show off his new acquisition this coming Saturday in North Branch, MN.

I don't think we'll care if it comes without much of a paint job either!

[troj]

Forgot to mention some high points!

Stopped by and got the nosecone for my Ultimate Darkstar from Wildman. I'll probably start building that in a couple months, once some other things are finished.

Also stopped by and visited with the fine folks at Giant Leap, and left about $300 lighter. They had an M1400 that was just screaming my name -- I could hear it all the way across the range, so I didn't want to leave it feeling left out.

Spent lots of quality time with all the various folks from Arizona, too. Those guys are a hoot! Though Roy doesn't seem to know how to build a nosecone.... :p

...and that Chris Palmer guy. Sorry, Chris, that's not an eyeball. You can call it one if you want, but we all know the truth! Even Kari knows that's no eyeball! Pucker up, buddy!

Carmen and John had an incredible flight of their Super Neon, from what I hear, as well. Unfortunately, I missed it, as I was too tied up at the away pads. A huge thanks to Amy Howell for helping them out with that!

-Kevin

[kelltym88]

We.... need... more....pictures...............

[G2Rockets]

We.... need... more....pictures...............

These are amature photos that someone in the Thor club took of the SupremeNeon. It flew to an altitude of 4411 feet on a M1230. I haven't downloaded the Featherweight file yet but, I will tonight. I have said it several times already... I flew that rocket in my head at least 1000 times and it never flew that well.

A major thanks to Amy. She is awesome, she was even the voice behind me telling me "Breath, either way it's going to be awesome".

A super gigantic thanks to Kevin and Deb for help on the rocket and for the companionship for the weekend. You guys made it so much fun!!!

[rdbones]

Forgot to mention some high points!

Stopped by and got the nosecone for my Ultimate Darkstar from Wildman. I'll probably start building that in a couple months, once some other things are finished.

Also stopped by and visited with the fine folks at Giant Leap, and left about $300 lighter. They had an M1400 that was just screaming my name -- I could hear it all the way across the range, so I didn't want to leave it feeling left out.

Spent lots of quality time with all the various folks from Arizona, too. Those guys are a hoot! Though Roy doesn't seem to know how to build a nosecone.... :p

...and that Chris Palmer guy. Sorry, Chris, that's not an eyeball. You can call it one if you want, but we all know the truth! Even Kari knows that's no eyeball! Pucker up, buddy!

Carmen and John had an incredible flight of their Super Neon, from what I hear, as well. Unfortunately, I missed it, as I was too tied up at the away pads. A huge thanks to Amy Howell for helping them out with that!

-Kevin

Kevin - the rocket showed up in three pieces and left in three pieces - and unfortunately the nose cone was NOT broken where it was hoped:eyepop: guess when they are made that ugly it survives (not really):D

[daveyfire]

the rocket showed up in three pieces and left in three pieces

But flew in only one and two... as intended!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/daveyfire/trf/ldrs30/sorta01.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/daveyfire/trf/ldrs30/sorta03.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/daveyfire/trf/ldrs30/sorta06.jpg

[cjl]

I'm not sure there were enough parachutes though...

[rdbones]

David - Great Pictures!!!

CJL - there were 5 - 20' and 1 - 10'...... we have had more - LOL

[dixontj93060]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/daveyfire/trf/ldrs30/sorta03.jpg


But flew in only one and two... as intended!

All I can say David--AWESOME MOTOR!!!! What a fabulous performance! Burn time definitely longer than announced by the LCO. Can you give us some details/specs?

[mikeyd]

I'm not sure there were enough parachutes though...

It was fun to watch. "Ok we have 2 chutes out,..... no 3,....wait 4, now 5. Is that all of them?"

:roll:

[rdbones]

It was fun to watch. "Ok we have 2 chutes out,..... no 3,....wait 4, now 5. Is that all of them?"

:roll:


You should have been at LDRS 26 in Jean, NV when the Gemini DC Flew - there we 11 chutes in that thing! The LCO didn't think they were every going to stop seeing chutes open up :eek:

[cjl]

You should have been at LDRS 26 in Jean, NV when the Gemini DC Flew - there we 11 chutes in that thing! The LCO didn't think they were every going to stop seeing chutes open up :eek:

That one was pretty entertaining :D

[hitomshoe]

Here are some videos with photos:

LDRS 30, Madcow "PRION" Launch Video
- Argonia, Kansas
- 02 Sept 2011
- J250FJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBx82KNkvjA

LDRS 30, LOC "NORAD Pro Maxx" Launch Video
- Argonia, Kansas
- 03 Sept 2011
- H148R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHY_hK37Sfk

[RodRocket]

Hi all,

Attended the launch event sunday and monday and had a blast. Met great people, vendors, and walked the line and pits way too many times.

Had so much fun that I took home an Aerotech Wart-Hog kit with the motor tube and a package of reloads from the nice folks at Rocket Technologies. In fact it is hanging in the garage for painting. This really is a great beginners kit.

Now gotta join Tripoli and Kloudbusters so I can come out and fly it.

Thanks to all who answered my many questions. Hope to see you all at the next event. And learn even more.

See ya,
Rod

[rdbones]

I just saw the pictures that Ray LaPanse has on his page and have to say - Great Job Ray! ! !

Looks like I will be buying a few things from you ! :D

[BayouRat]

Here is the 1st place odd roc. winner. A complex O powered Tiki Bar Rocket.

[El Cheapo]

That's fun. I wonder what kind of temps the inside of that ring fin had to sustain.

[BayouRat]

That's fun. I wonder what kind of temps the inside of that ring fin had to sustain.

None! We designed it to be out of the flame zone. It wasn't even toasted. The most heat it took was at lift off and we had it up on cider block to account for that.

[MClark]

I was hanging out at the shades next to Whitney and have to admit I was a naysayer. In my mind I saw many bad scenarios, unstable, blow the panels off the ring fin, incineration.
I was totally wrong, it all worked. I am happy I was wrong.
It shows how with creativity, planning and testing what can be done.
Good Job.

Mark

[BayouRat]

I was hanging out at the shades next to Whitney and have to admit I was a naysayer. In my mind I saw many bad scenarios, unstable, blow the panels off the ring fin, incineration.
I was totally wrong, it all worked. I am happy I was wrong.
It shows how with creativity, planning and testing what can be done.
Good Job.

Mark

Thanks Mark. It really was a team efford. Although it wasn't a complete success. I wish we would of stuck the landing. In the end most of it wound up in the dumpster. But at least the up part was right. :D

[Scoop1261]

Australia sent a pretty good sized contingent, as well, and I've met a number of them, as well as many others from all across the US. Meeting new people, and getting to see folks I've met before is always a good thing!

It was great to catch up again with yourself, Deb and Al Bychek, along with a host of other folks who I had either met or corresponded with previously.
It was a pleasure to be able to introduce some of my Australian associates to an LDRS and the hospitality of our American brothers & sisters.

As far as our project went, we couldn't have achieved it without the generous support of Kent from GLR, Jim Cooper & Jay Bailey from KLOUDBUSTERS. Also thanks to Tim at Wildman for assistance with motors.

Attached photo is our Outback Thunda 7.5" rocket on a CTI N2600SK and 3 x CTI J381SK's

[BayouRat]

It was great to catch up again with yourself, Deb and Al Bychek, along with a host of other folks who I had either met or corresponded with previously.
It was a pleasure to be able to introduce some of my Australian associates to an LDRS and the hospitality of our American brothers & sisters.

As far as our project went, we couldn't have achieved it without the generous support of Kent from GLR, Jim Cooper & Jay Bailey from KLOUDBUSTERS. Also thanks to Tim at Wildman for assistance with motors.

Attached photo is our Outback Thunda 7.5" rocket on a CTI N2600SK and 3 x CTI J381SK's

It was great seeing you all! I hope I can make it to Australia and fly a rocket down under one day. Outback Thunda's flight was really impressive. Hope to see you all again soon. :)

[troj]

It was great seeing you all! I hope I can make it to Australia and fly a rocket down under one day.

Deb and I hope to make it to Australia some day, as well!

-Kevin

[CATO]

...and that Chris Palmer guy. Sorry, Chris, that's not an eyeball. You can call it one if you want, but we all know the truth! Even Kari knows that's no eyeball! Pucker up, buddy!

IT'S NOT??? ;-)))

Hey, I've puckered since day two.
Getting ready for the on board video---- OUCH
Meeting you and your team was probably the high point of the launch for me.
You guys rock.
Hope Pat's foot is better.
Well for next time there will be more Debauchery.
Ever see those women in a Felini film? ;-)))
Had fun in spite of myself
Chris

[Neil]

There are over 5,000 photos posted at rocketsmagazine.com....re-live your favorite moments...... :point:

[BayouRat]

There are over 5,000 photos posted at rocketsmagazine.com....re-live your favorite moments...... :point:

Most awesome! :cheers:

[RALPhotoman]

For those of you that may have been browsing through the photos that I have been posting on my RAL-Photos.smugmug,.com web site over the last several weeks, I have finally finished editing and processing (mainly cropping, lighting adjustments, and sharpening) all of the photos that I took over the four days that Chris and I were there (Fri 9/2/11 through Mon 9/5/11). If you were looking for any specific flights a few weeks ago and didn't find them, you may want to check one last time. I may be nuts, but I do this rocketry and photo stuff for the fun of it, and you can download the files (full size jpgs) from the site at no charge, by clicking on the photos and use the "save photo" button / function that you should see above the photo. Please just contact me if you have questions. I also sent these into Bob & Neil at Rockets Magazine, so keep an eye out for the upcoming LDRS30 issue.

If you do download and use any of my photos in postings, etc., all I ask is that you credit me as the photographer. Thanks for your compliments and I'm happy that all you fliers like the pics.

RAL