Tripoli Vegas Oktoberfest Launch, 18-20 Oct, Jean Dry Lake Bed NV

[Viperfixr]

It's time for the Tripoli Vegas Oktoberfest launch!

Weather in October tends to be unbeatable, the launch area clear for miles (hard to lose anything here), and *plenty* of hotels in the area . There's also the Golden Spike Hotel and Casino right around the corner. FAA waiver is in affect with a clearance up to 12,800 MSL feet with several "windows" to 21,800 MSL when called in, and occasionally more when available. Surface to 7,800' MSL for the night launches. Giant Leap Rocketry on site and available for motor pre-orders & delivery at the launch.

You can find us at the website link above, or via this map:


I am working feverishly on a Wildman Darkstar Extreme that will go up on an Aerotech L900 Dark Matter at this launch, as well as a few other new rockets. I've also got a Wildman Nite Bow going up on a scratch rocket for the night launch, probably on an H170 Metalstorm. How about you?

 

[Viperfixr]

bump...who else is coming?

 

[rdbones]

AZRT is discussing it. Wont know for sure for a week or so.

Maybe a few M flights or a M and a N - who knows for sure! LOL

 

[rdbones]

BUMP

5 weeks away - Who is going ???

 

[Viperfixr]

I plan to "launch the fleet". With a little luck:

- Darkstar Extreme on a K1103X then a L900DM
- Darkstar 2.1 on a J740G or J500G
- BSD Thor on a K456DM
- Competitor 3 on a K375DT
- Jart on a H128W & maybe a H250G (FW nosecone)

Weather wise, Oktoberfest is historically just as nice as you could ask for. Location wise, the dry lake bed is plenty big and Vegas is next door. Come on out, everyone!

 

[fyrwrxz]

uh-oh-looks like a road trip! If you can do this, maybe you should check out Plaster Blaster 12! More details soon, but it's the first weekend in November! I'll be your raffle host as usual!

 

[Rocketjoe13]

It's Vegas time!!! Unfortunately, NCR had to cancel their Oktoberfest. Looks like this is the next best thing. I'll be there, along with Jon Skuba, if he can get the days off from work. That's the plan for now, anyway.

 

[Viperfixr]

bump--who else is coming?!

 

[crtbeas]

It's Vegas time!!! Unfortunately, NCR had to cancel their Oktoberfest. Looks like this is the next best thing. I'll be there, along with Jon Skuba, if he can get the days off from work. That's the plan for now, anyway.

Tripoli Vegas, Oktoberfest 2013 Research Launch, Oct 18, 19 and 20, Fri, Sat and Sun. The launch site is located at Jean Dry Lake just south of Las Vegas, NV. Access to Lake Bed is located between mile markers 10 and 9 Las Vegas Blvd South. The launch begins Friday the 18th at 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm. Saturday begins at 8:00 am to 10:00 pm breaking about 4:00 pm for a potluck dinner. Sunday starts back up at 8:00 am, finishing up around 2:00 pm. Night launches on Fri and Sat evenings. Moto Joe from GLR will be out so give him a call and order your motors now, save on those hazmat fees. Last few Launches have had perfect weather, clear blue skies and little to no wind, 75 to 85 degrees during day light hours, cooler evenings…..
All fliers are welcome, under updated research rules all NAR fliers can now launch at their cert level or below.

You can find more information at either Tripoli Vegas discussion group at https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tripolivegas/ or the main website at https://www.tripolivegas.com/

 

[rdbones]

What launch equipment is going to be available, and what should we bring with us???

1515 tower 12' long?
1515 tower 20' long?
1010 rail 10' long?
launch controller wired / wireless ?

 

[Viperfixr]

Any number of rods (all sizes up to 1/4") and 1010 rails--usually more than needed. I believe we have 1515 when needed, but not normally brought out. CurtB & GeraldM, please correct me if wrong anywhere.

 

[majordude]

Is Gold Strike as much of a dump as every freaking travel page seems to suggest? It is owned (or p0wned) by MGM after all.

 

[thobin]

I will be driving home from Disney Land on the 20th, we will pass by on Sunday around noon I will wave to you all as we go by, maybe stop in for a bit if the wife and kids aren't all to tired, This sounds like a nice event I think I will make a very serious effort to get there next year.


TA

 

[crtbeas]

What launch equipment is going to be available, and what should we bring with us???

1515 tower 12' long?
1515 tower 20' long?
1010 rail 10' long?
launch controller wired / wireless ?

We have 1515 & 1010 rails, 8 ft max. If you need anything longer please bring....
See you on the lake bed.....

Thanks
Curt b

 

[crtbeas]

Is Gold Strike as much of a dump as every freaking travel page seems to suggest? It is owned (or p0wned) by MGM after all.

It's cheap, clean and having a shower is nice........ Buffet is fair to OK....

 

[watersjim65]

I plan to be there all 3 days. Almost have my Big Pumpkin Rocket ready for the Sat. launch.
Jim Waters

 

[majordude]

It's cheap, clean and having a shower is nice........ Buffet is fair to OK....

Let's calibrate your rating. On a scale from 1-10 where is Motel 6?

 

[crtbeas]

Let's calibrate your rating. On a scale from 1-10 where is Motel 6?

I would rate it as a big Motel 6. Also it does feel old inside, shower is hot, beds clean AND 15 mins from launch site, also has tower entrance to get to room, 5 min walk from car to room..... Or then 30-40 mins from launch site is the South Point, big step up, many places to eat, movies, bowling etc and about 15 min walk from car, through casino to room....

 

[Viperfixr]

I'd go to South Point, but that's just me...worth the extra miles and you're closer to Vegas.

 

[watersjim65]

if you want to launch rockets got Gold Strike, if you want to party go to South Point.
Jim

 

[crtbeas]

Weather looking GOOD for Oktoberfest!!!!!

See you all there.... Check out the weekend forecast..

https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/jean_ridge_dry_bed_las_vegas

 

[watersjim65]

The big Pumpkin is ready for Sat. Hope to meet you all over the 3 days. Drive safe and be careful.
Jim Waters from Pahrump, NV.

 

[Viperfixr]

Yes, the weather looks fantastic. I am building a J510W (38/1320) today for my Darkstar 2.1"! That should haul some rocket butt off the pad.

 

[crtbeas]

Yes, the weather looks fantastic. I am building a J510W (38/1320) today for my Darkstar 2.1"! That should haul some rocket butt off the pad.

I got a CTI M1675 Pink ready to go for a 9.25" V2!!!!! Remember?????? Anyone???

 

[daveyfire]

...9.25" V2!!!!! Remember?????? Anyone???

Hott Rockets, a Jim Hart production?

 

[crtbeas]

Hott Rockets, a Jim Hart production?

Thats IT!!!!!

 

[rdbones]

Talk about Picture Perfect rocket flying weather!!!

Temp's in the mid to hi 70's with little to no wind !!

More good flights than I could count and very few that went bad (I will let the fliers cover those).

We put Baby Ugly up on a J318 Tiger Tail (first time working with the formula) at about 1500' at about 350 fps. - It preformed about like I expected.
We did not bring the 20" rail so the Mean Machine flew in the short configuration (13' tall) on a old date code M2030G (now L2200G) to 6,000 feet and arrow straight.

On top of that, we got to see some old friends and make even more new ones.

I will post some pictures later!

 

[Viperfixr]

Here's a few shots from the weekend. I lost a few valuable photo hours Saturday afternoon looking for my L900 rocket (below). As Roy said above, the weather was perfect, no wait times for a pad, the location unmatched and the people even better.

Someone from Arizona (not sure who...anyone know?)


Unknown rocketeer, beautiful, scratch built Thor


My Darkstar 2.1" moments before a bad CATO, momentarily flying on a Aerotech J510W (looks like a case failure)


Vegas' own Jared flying a scratch built rocket on an EX Black Sparky motor (K690 I think)...awesome


Joe from GLR was there with tons of motors...thank you for coming out all the way from CO!


My daughter's Drago on an H165R


Vegas' John Erickson and Cosmo making multiple trips to/from the pad...but they looked rocket cool


My Wildman Darkstar Extreme called "Jihad This" flying less than vertically on a Aerotech L900


My Competitor 3 flying on a Aerotech K1103X to 9723', it's third flight of the weekend testing the new Marsa54 Lite altimeter (flawless jem of electronics at a price point you will love...I intend to buy lots of these)

 

[Viperfixr]

A few more...

My Wildman Jart flying on a H128W

And the Jart's less than optimal "chute in nosecone" recovery. I heard "more black powder" a few times after the apogee event, but the charge well will not hold anymore! Maybe I can double the powder with tape...(I am kidding)


My daughter getting creative with her new camera and Wildman Drago


Me going out to the pad (Remember DM) with my Competitor 3


My daughter Lauren's Wildman Drago on a H128W


Friday sunset (Photog Lauren Rose)

 

[crtbeas]

Just want to Thank everyone that came out, along with the weather you all made it a awesome Oktoberfest... Thanks Again...
Thanks for the updates and photos, I'm sure there's more to come.....

And just a quick note: In just above five months we can do it all again on the second weekend in March, the 7,8 and 9 2014 at Springfest!!!
Moto-Joe form Giant Leap has committed to be there and is taking motor orders already!!