DARS Launches - Dallas Area Rocket Society

[Incongruent]

It would appear that money (or the lack thereof) is at the core of the problem. So why not just pass the hat? Twenty million? Chump change!

$ 20,000,000/1,000 = $ 20,000 each for 1,000 investors.

$10,000 with matching funds.


What would they invest in? Unless we convert the field into some kind of model rocket museum ($$$) (you don't even need to bring your models to the field! If they're display quality.) + workshops ($$$) + launches ($$$) + demonstration High Power ($$$) or something, it wouldn't be worth their ($$$).
But the moon day workshop was pretty successful, if we do something like that every Saturday...
or make it a golf course (slight hazard of being struck down by a recovery mishap)

Alternatively, I suggest we start buying lottery tickets.

Or betting your non rocket friends that the acme spitfire won't blow up/ go wonky.


This is why I'm not trusted with money...

 

[pyrobob]

Losing half of Prairie Hill was never discussed; it was an entirely different matter that was brought up. So, how did we lose access to half of it? Was it a lessee thing?

 

[PokerJones]

Losing half of Prairie Hill was never discussed; it was an entirely different matter that was brought up. So, how did we lose access to half of it? Was it a lessee thing?

That's true Pyro, I didn't find this out until Sunday. Apparently we didn't lose half the field, according to the land owner we were never supposed to be there in the first place. As you know he was at the last launch and made a fuss about us being on the pasture, I was never told we couldn't use the back runway area. As I said before, we are working on a deal to use the whole site.

 

[pyrobob]

That's true Pyro, I didn't find this out until Sunday.

Vindication for my sanity at least.... Was thinking I totally spaced during the meeting. Why doesn't he want us back there?

 

[AlfaBrewer]

Sigh. The good news is that we weren't kicked out entirely.

 

[tmacklin]

I had occasion to travel to Pilot Point today and while en route, I took a detour by the Gunter launch site. There is a beautiful emerald green carpet of new grass that has sprouted as result of the recent rains and the lakes appear to be full. That site drains well and a couple of sunny days will make the field accessible to vehicular traffic. I hope it is that way on Saturday the 29th!

 

[tab28682]

If only we could still fly HP in Gunter.

 

[tab28682]

...... I hope it is that way on Saturday the 29th!

Hmmm. No more Saturday dates with 29 in them for a while. Do you mean the Saturday Nov 19 Gunter launch that is on the DARS calendar, which has apparently morphed into a Class 1 launch at Caddo Mills, according to a previous post in this thread, with info from the last meeting?

I sure wish we had a good website person in the group to keep the DARS site updated.

 

[pyrobob]

If only we could still fly HP in Gunter.

No doubt.

 

[grouch]

So Gunter is only up to G power?

 

[tmacklin]

So Gunter is only up to G power?

I'm not exactly sure but either samb or AlphaBrewer should be able to give you the straight skinny on this question. I think a "G in the Pond" beats the hell out of a "K on the Dragstrip"! :wink:

 

[samb]

... I hope it is that way on Saturday the 29th!

Saturday November 26th.

If only we could still fly HP in Gunter.

If only...

Hmmm. No more Saturday dates with 29 in them for a while. Do you mean the Saturday Nov 19 Gunter launch that is on the DARS calendar, which has apparently morphed into a Class 1 launch at Caddo Mills, according to a previous post in this thread, with info from the last meeting?

Saturday November 19th at Caddo Mills was discussed at the meeting but still unconfirmed (as of 10:02am cst 10November 20 and 16) so stay tuned.

I sure wish we had a good website person in the group to keep the DARS site updated.

Me too!

So Gunter is only up to G power?

The November 26th launch will be.

I'm not exactly sure but either samb or AlphaBrewer should be able to give you the straight skinny on this question. I think a "G in the Pond" beats the hell out of a "K on the Dragstrip"! :wink:

Of course, club management strongly discourages any deep water recovery attempts.

 

[tmacklin]

I think I'm developing 6/9 - 9/6 dyslexia and can't figure out which end is up! Or maybe it's the drugs?

November 26, 2016

 

[tab28682]

Sam, thanks for the excellent update and sort-out of the launches.

Standing by to hear more about Caddo Mills as it develops. I will likely make it or Gunter the following weekend, depending on weather outlook and other things.

 

[AlfaBrewer]

Gunter is problematic with larger than G motors, due to the minimum setback requirements. This really limits where we can set up, and the wrong wind direction makes recovery on the field impossible.

 

[PokerJones]

I was thinking about heading down to Hearne this weekend for the launch. I have never been there and by the google map pic of the airport it doesn't look any bigger than Prairie Hill and the town looks to very close by. Anyone have experience on this field? Is this truly a good high power field? I know they have a 16,000' waiver but I would hate to drop a 40 pound rocket in the middle of town.

 

[tab28682]

I was thinking about heading down to Hearne this weekend for the launch. I have never been there and by the google map pic of the airport it doesn't look any bigger than Prairie Hill and the town looks to very close by. Anyone have experience on this field? Is this truly a good high power field? I know they have a 16,000' waiver but I would hate to drop a 40 pound rocket in the middle of town.

I and a few other DARS folk have launched there. Only once for me.

I would not go for high altitude/edge of the waiver with the wind having much of a westerly component.

With the wind out of the south, not as much of an issue.

Runway landings can be tough on a model.

You might sign up on their yahoo group and ask them a few questions.

 

[Cl(VII)]

I and a few other DARS folk have launched there. Only once for me.

I would not go for high altitude/edge of the waiver with the wind having much of a westerly component.

With the wind out of the south, not as much of an issue.

Runway landings can be tough on a model.

You might sign up on their yahoo group and ask them a few questions.

Second. Wind direction is everything there. Also, have tracking because some of the grassy areas can get real high, rocket eating scale also. Good field though, and a good crew as well.

 

[pyrobob]

Second. Wind direction is everything there. Also, have tracking because some of the grassy areas can get real high, rocket eating scale also. Good field though, and a good crew as well.

Yeah man, the recovery area to the west (pretty sure that's correct...) was waist high throughout when I was down there in July 2015. Got lucky in recoverying my 2.6 ASP - most of it anyhow... The nose cone came off during descent. I spent about 10 minutes looking for it but call it quits due to the high grass. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice place to fly. I would put it on par with Prairie Hill in my singular visit to each site.

 

[samb]

I've been there twice and had a great time both times. Yes, wind direction will dictate some flights but I never heard of anything going downtown. The thing for me is it's a cool group to fly with and when you go you're likely to see a lot of familiar faces from Asa and TNT.

 

[tab28682]

Any news about Caddo Mills this Saturday?

The overnight low of 38 predicted will make it a little chilly in the AM. 52 degrees by 10am with a high of 60. Wind forcast 10-15.

I might have to work a couple of hours in the AM, but I might still make it out by noon or do, assuming the launch comes to pass.

 

[samb]

Any news about Caddo Mills this Saturday?

The overnight low of 38 predicted will make it a little chilly in the AM. 52 degrees by 10am with a high of 60. Wind forcast 10-15.

I might have to work a couple of hours in the AM, but I might still make it out by noon or do, assuming the launch comes to pass.

Nov19 at Caddo Mills is confirmed. Website and calendar updated last I looked. Needless to say, weather permitting.

 

[pyrobob]

Looking a bit chilly and windy this weekend. Of course as I type this we're in the mid 80's with no wind. Nice.

 

[grouch]

Yea today would be perfect. This weekend not so much for me due to other plans. Oh well.

 

[Fred Garvin]

I don't mind the cool....prefer it actually. The wind though....man I just need a 35 second glider flight!

 

[Incongruent]

If we do a decertified motor test, we should hold it in the summer- research by MIT has shown that black powder rocket motors rarely Cato unless they're flown below 75 degrees of the maximum temperature they've been exposed to. That's problably how the infamously Cato prone motors got certified, they weren't exposed to much heat until the firing tests.

Who knows how high a temperature the motors have received in the years past decertification...

 

[tab28682]

If we do a decertified motor test, we should hold it in the summer- research by MIT has shown that black powder rocket motors rarely Cato unless they're flown below 75 degrees of the maximum temperature they've been exposed to. That's problably how the infamously Cato prone motors got certified, they weren't exposed to much heat until the firing tests.

Who knows how high a temperature the motors have received in the years past decertification...

That was my plan, for just those reasons. Could likely do May or Sept as well as the three summer months.

 

[Incongruent]

That was my plan, for just those reasons. Could likely do May or Sept as well as the three summer months.

So a launch on a hot summer day with little wind... That's gonna be fun...


Also problably my only chance to see motors significantly older than myself set off.

I'm in!

A good thing about summer is no school.

 

[pyrobob]

Anyone notice a slight breeze out there today (or yesterday)? Too bad I'm not a kite kind of guy...

 

[tmacklin]

Anyone notice a slight breeze out there today (or yesterday)? Too bad I'm not a kite kind of guy...

What's a little breeze among friends?