HELLFIRE 20, SUN, SALT & ROCKETS!

Wayco said:

Your attendance is not mandatory, It was your glowing endorsement that got Sharon excited. I really like it when Sharon is excited!
We are currently making a list of rockets that we can fly there without encroaching on planned flights for Airfest in September. Most launches in AZ are not happening due to the heat, it's nice to find something that is close enough for us to attend that is cooler than 110*.

Click to expand...

Wayne- curious as to how this could possibly be any cooler than 110f. Now I've been a desert rat for decades but somehow, when I wasn't looking, I got a little older and now the heat just sucks the energy out of me. I know it would be like a fishing trip with the reflectivity of the salt, but cooler? I might need to schedule this with a trip to Utah next year. So jealous! Hope you guys have fun-stay hydrated!

Hellfire 19 was in the 90s. Not too bad at all for the Salt Flats in August. It was downright chilly during the day, lol. Generally, however, it is over 100 out there. You can certainly tell who is wearing sun screen that has failed miserably. You get the UV from all directions.

fyrwrxz said:

Wayne- curious as to how this could possibly be any cooler than 110f. Now I've been a desert rat for decades but somehow, when I wasn't looking, I got a little older and now the heat just sucks the energy out of me. I know it would be like a fishing trip with the reflectivity of the salt, but cooler? I might need to schedule this with a trip to Utah next year. So jealous! Hope you guys have fun-stay hydrated!

Click to expand...

FrothyChimp said:

You get the UV from all directions.

Click to expand...

To further clarify this statement, but in a indirect, somewhat vague, and roundabout manner:
If you wear loose/baggy shorts or a skirt out on the salt flats, you may find yourself wishing you had applied sunscreen in places you wouldn't normally think to do so. You likely have never experienced sunburn in quite the same way before.
Like I said, flying on the salt flats during Hellfire can be a bit "weird".

s6

Wayco said:

I figured out how to get tickets to the banquet yesterday, with a little help from my new friends at UROC. They are available through Eventbrite, in with the Pre-registration stuff. Looking forward to Gary Rosenfield's presentation, and the good food.
Started making a list of rockets to take with us, dusting off some old Estes kits that haven't been flown in years. The HPR site we fly at locally doesn't make it easy to recover little rockets, so we will fly a few of them Thursday to warm up with.
I also want to fly my Blackhawk 54, a minimum diameter rocket that needs a tower since it has no rail buttons. Does UROC have a tower that I can use for this 54mm rocket? I can bring my own if that is allowed.
If the weather stays good for all four days of launching, Sharon and I will be flying a BUNCH of rockets, from Estes "D" motors to an M1550 Redline in my "Red Tailed Extreme".

Click to expand...

My tower probably won't accommodate a Blackhawk 54 but I'll have it there for my Blackhawk 18 (carbon fiber may I add...) although the tower is a bit overkill for that one!

Long range weather forecast calls for sun, lower 90's, and wind at 8-9 MPH. About like last year, which was absolutely perfect.

Joe

Wayco said:

I have been watching the weather up there, usually 10 to 20* cooler than here. A couple of thunderstorms have moved through the area, but not much increase in humidity. When can we expect someone to go out and check conditions on the salt?

Click to expand...

Dang it Wayne- you are NOT maiking this any easier-naturally, next year will be the hottest on record for the planet.

fyrwrxz said:

Dang it Wayne- you are NOT maiking this any easier-naturally, next year will be the hottest on record for the planet.

Click to expand...

Cooler than Goodyear, AZ. It's a blazing inferno compared to S.D.... You really don't want to expose your lily white skin to that, do you?
IF you wait until next year, I can give you the "inside scoop" on how to survive.



if I survive.

if I survive.[/QUOTE]
LOL! Seriously, now I am paying the price for all those years of fun in the sun, surf and sand. Doc said i have to wear Hiroshima-level sunscreen now. I'm sure he preferred i stay inside and do jigsaw puzzles. Scotsmen don't tan-they rust.....

With speed week cancelled because of water on the salt, I was somewhat concerned. No need. The salt conditions are reported to be perfect. At least for rockets, if not cars.

Joe

Good to know. Planning on rolling out of here early Thursday - missing first Research Day - bummer - but I couldn't get too much time off from work. Ben Whitfield is riding with me. Meeting up with Tim Thomas and Will Bussell and possibly a few others from Colorado. Bringing a 98/15360 case for David Spencer to borrow and a K750 for Ken.

I love Thursday. It's quiet. When you want to launch, there's no waiting. Friday is fun because it's a research day. More big stuff goes up on Friday. Saturday is the busiest day, with all sizes of motors from 1/2A to M or N. I've never stayed for Sunday, so I can't opine on it. Looking forward to meeting new friends.

I have a couple of bags of syringes left if anyone coming to Hellfire wants some. Just come find me.

Joe Hepworth

With speed week cancelled because of water on the salt, I was somewhat concerned. No need. The salt conditions are reported to be perfect. At least for rockets, if not cars.

Click to expand...

Joe, thanks for the update. I cannot get into the UROC website right now. I tried to upload photo's to the UROC website and my issues started thereafter. This is the second time that has happened, so needless to say I am not going to upload photo's again for awhile. Anyways, the last time I checked yesterday I did not see any salt flats report. I'm assuming everything is "go" and I am packing my trailer now.

I love Thursday. It's quiet. When you want to launch, there's no waiting. Friday is fun because it's a research day. More big stuff goes up on Friday. Saturday is the busiest day, with all sizes of motors from 1/2A to M or N. I've never stayed for Sunday, so I can't opine on it. Looking forward to meeting new friends.

Click to expand...

Sunday is a slow day with launch site clean-up around noon or 1 PM. The more hands available the faster the clean-up goes. There is a lottery after the clean-up. Some years everyone that helped with the clean-up won something.

Bob, since I don't help with the clean up, I'm getting there Wednesday afternoon to help set up. I'll save a spot for you (assuming you don't mind being next to me).

Joe

Joe,
That would be great! We will arrive Wednesday, but we probably won't go out to the flats until Thursday morning.
Bob

Jmhepworth said:

Bob, since I don't help with the clean up, I'm getting there Wednesday afternoon to help set up. I'll save a spot for you (assuming you don't mind being next to me).

Joe

Click to expand...

This is good news, we will be out Wednesday afternoon also, and would be glad to help with setup if someone can show us were to leave our little trailer.
I have already started packing rockets into the truck, might be a little excited about this launch.
Looks like Ken is getting a motor for the drag race too! :w:

You can park your trailer right by where you set up. There will be a line painted on the salt, and we set up right behind the line. We typically take as much room as an EZ Up needs (mine is 10x10) right on the line and park behind that. It helps to have the EZ Ups bump up against each other to share shade. If no one has suggested it, you may want to bring a blue tarp and some big spikes to give yourself a "floor." The salt is moist, so it sticks to your shoes. A floor where you set up a table and chairs helps a lot. And if you're not bringing shade, you will want to make friends with someone who does. Don't forget sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. This is really an an unusual experience. You can't beat the recovery area.

Joe

You will need a ground tarp. No way around it. A cheap one with some stakes. Almost everyone has one.

SALTY ROCKETS!!!! Getting closer to HellFire 20! My wife and I will be attending from Colorado, for my second HellFire. Ill be bringing my L3 rocket and flying it on a M650 to hopefully 10,000 ft. also a few others!

Already cant sleep!

My equipment is beginning to take over my garage. I am staging everything I need to bring in the garage all lined up ready to go into the trailer. Don't want to forget anything.

Wayco said:

Two more rockets left to pack in the truck, Sharon just prepped her "Jimbo Jart" with a K454, and we are doing ejection tests on her Super Jart this morning. Looks like I will have room for all 30 rockets, big question is will they all get there unscathed...
I have several tarps for ground cloths which I can throw into the little trailer, and stakes? Never been a problem, I have a whole sack full of them.
Thanks for the tips on surviving Hellfire, looking forward to our next adventure!

Click to expand...

Hope you are taking out the Warp Core Breach , assume there will be a kick *ss night launch...?

Kenny

KenRico said:

Hope you are taking out the Warp Core Breach , assume there will be a kick *ss night launch...?

Kenny

Click to expand...

No, Kenny - there is no night launch. Warp Core Breach is staying home all lonely keeping my half built Gizmo company. We are bringing just about everything else with us :clap:

The shop is usually quite organized but getting prepped puts it in a state of disarray.
Got me a free trailer last fall and $400 later I'm excited to use it to haul some of my load.
Just need get 2 more rockets prepped and I'm ready to fly 'em.
-Ken

Here's my garage with all the rockets going. I have three more I wish I could have finished to bring with me but, oh well, there's always the September club launch. I have everything from 13mm to 54mm in motor sizes.

Pretty much loaded for bear and ready to roll.

The flight line is painted, ropes are up, markers on the salt to guide the way in are up, and wire is strung to the pad sites. Still need to put up the pads and electronics in the morning. We should be burning AP by 10:00. I love this launch.

Also Wayne and his sweet wife. We'll see you out on the salt tomorrow.

Joe