Official AIRFest 19 Info and Updates

[ChuckH]

Flew the 3" minimum diameter Arcas on an M2020 IMax to 30,358 feet per BeeLine GPS, Mach 2.29 per Raven.

 

[dixontj93060]

Flew the 3" minimum diameter Arcas on an M2020 IMax to 30,358 feet per BeeLine GPS, Mach 2.29 per Raven.


View attachment 143987

Yes Chuck great flight. I have an M tomorrow but no where near 30K, more like 12K.

 

[SS/EA 6BBL 71 Cuda]

Flew the 3" minimum diameter Arcas on an M2020 IMax to 30,358 feet per BeeLine GPS, Mach 2.29 per.....

Great job Chuck!

 

[troj]

Thanks, Manny!

 

[rdbones]

Big Alpha go up
Fins come off
Parachutes come out and open
All parts and pieces land away from every and nobody got hurt.

Yeah

The motor was a tad punchier than we thought it would be.

The mosquito and scrambler should fly tomorrow.

 

[jd2cylman]

Thanks, Manny!

Is this for protection from Argonian dust storms?

Adrian

 

[Wayco]

First two flights yesterday taught us a valuable lesson. Don't fly anything without a tracker. Sharon lost her Wild Child and I almost lost my Executioner. Spent hours walking around in freshly disked wheat fields looking for them. Finally found the Executioner almost a mile from the launch area. Felt kinda lonesome flying the little Estes rocket on the away pads, but they won't let you fly even a G-75 Metalstorm less than 1/4 mile from the camping area. Had to wait over an hour while one other flier set up a huge two stage rocket while my little rocket sat out there. Then when it flew, lost it in the field. Found later after the temps were soaring over 100* Everything after that was flown with a tracker. Sharon got her first flight on the Super Duper Dark Jart and her first (mostly) successful dual deploy all in one flight, only thing that would have made it better was if she had attached the main chute. Cracked a fillet on one fin but it was still very firmly attached with Rocketpoxy. Then I flew the DS Jr. with the new CTI I-125 long burn. I think it really liked that motor, 4260 ft. when Thrustcurve simmed it at 3980 ft.
Today was much better, we learned how to fly the field effectively and got everything back. First was my "Duke Nukem" on an old AT I-285 redline to 4200 ft. landed right near the away cell that I flew the Executioner from the day before. Then Sharon flew her Super Duper Dark Jart on an I-170 which landed right beside the road South of the camping area. Then Scott with LOKI asked me if I wanted to fly the "Energizer Bunny" on a new load he had called "Tropical Cocktail". No problem, not really worried about the Bunny shredding even on a J-1100. Beautiful flight to 7800 ft. and 650 mph. top speed.
Sharon flew her anniversary gift I bought for her at ROCstock, a 4" LOC rocket made back in 1990 called "Hi Tension". Got about 2500 ft. on a 54mm CTI I-165 C-star. Much better day today even though it got "Blisteringly Hot" again today. My onboard thermometer in the truck read 115* around 3:30 pm.
We stayed for the Burger Blast tonight, but last nights Alligator gumbo was the highlight meal for this trip.
Hoping it will be cooler tomorrow, and we can get a few more flights in. Good crowd today, but never had to wait at the RSO table. This morning I was the first flight of the day!

 

[dshmel]

I am planning to fly my PR Intimidator 3 on a J1299 and want to know if this FG kit can withstand the stress. I built it with epoxy fillets inside and out. Thoughts?

 

[ChuckH]

I am planning to fly my PR Intimidator 3 on a J1299 and want to know if this FG kit can withstand the stress. I built it with epoxy fillets inside and out. Thoughts?

It'll be fine, fly it.

 

[ChuckH]

Thanks, Manny!

So that's why a suspicious looking Manny and Tim wanted to know where you were camped...

 

[KenRico]

First two flights yesterday taught us a valuable lesson. Don't fly anything without a tracker. Sharon lost her Wild Child and I almost lost my Executioner. Spent hours walking around in freshly disked wheat fields looking for them. Finally found the Executioner almost a mile from the launch area. Felt kinda lonesome flying the little Estes rocket on the away pads, but they won't let you fly even a G-75 Metalstorm less than 1/4 mile from the camping area. Had to wait over an hour while one other flier set up a huge two stage rocket while my little rocket sat out there. Then when it flew, lost it in the field. Found later after the temps were soaring over 100* Everything after that was flown with a tracker. Sharon got her first flight on the Super Duper Dark Jart and her first (mostly) successful dual deploy all in one flight, only thing that would have made it better was if she had attached the main chute. Cracked a fillet on one fin but it was still very firmly attached with Rocketpoxy. Then I flew the DS Jr. with the new CTI I-125 long burn. I think it really liked that motor, 4260 ft. when Thrustcurve simmed it at 3980 ft.
Today was much better, we learned how to fly the field effectively and got everything back. First was my "Duke Nukem" on an old AT I-285 redline to 4200 ft. landed right near the away cell that I flew the Executioner from the day before. Then Sharon flew her Super Duper Dark Jart on an I-170 which landed right beside the road South of the camping area. Then Scott with LOKI asked me if I wanted to fly the "Energizer Bunny" on a new load he had called "Tropical Cocktail". No problem, not really worried about the Bunny shredding even on a J-1100. Beautiful flight to 7800 ft. and 650 mph. top speed.
Sharon flew her anniversary gift I bought for her at ROCstock, a 4" LOC rocket made back in 1990 called "Hi Tension". Got about 2500 ft. on a 54mm CTI I-165 C-star. Much better day today even though it got "Blisteringly Hot" again today. My onboard thermometer in the truck read 115* around 3:30 pm.
We stayed for the Burger Blast tonight, but last nights Alligator gumbo was the highlight meal for this trip.
Hoping it will be cooler tomorrow, and we can get a few more flights in. Good crowd today, but never had to wait at the RSO table. This morning I was the first flight of the day!

Thanks for sharing ! Dave and I were wondering how y'all were doing back there. Take it there is no Warp core breach this trip ?

Enjoy!

Kenny

 

[GRIFFIN]

It'll be fine, fly it.

Chuck,

"HAY" you better tell him the truth. The J1299 might just be a bit toooo much for that rocket. I would lower the impulse to something like an L935. That would be a bit more on the safe side.



-Jason
***sits jealously at home while friends hang out at Airfest**

 

[mrhp]

Big Alpha go up
Fins come off
Parachutes come out and open
All parts and pieces land away from every and nobody got hurt.

Yeah

The motor was a tad punchier than we thought it would be.

The mosquito and scrambler should fly tomorrow.

what the heck man

 

[CurtH]

Here are a couple of pictures I took of a Mosquito on Saturday morning. Too bad I couldn't stay longer, there were some really great flights.

 

[dshmel]

Venus Probes in action

 

[SS/EA 6BBL 71 Cuda]

Back at the Motel tonight and, wanted too say what a great day of flying (when the clouds broke!)
A special thanks too Tim and, Jackie Lehr for the "air conditioned afternoon nap accommodations" use of their motorhome......after an ALL NIGHT drive.
Manny "Meatball" Ballestero, Chuck "Speedy" Haskin, Tom (and, son....) Gunnarson for their help with the recovery of the *Public Enemy Aerospace Test Mule* which, flew too a respectable height of 19,193/19,195' respectively....on an old Dusty AMW N4000 Blue.
Thank you Team Arizona for the gracious lending of a dowel. Roy Rocks!
To all the great people behind the scenes who put on a great show, friends I only see once a year, and, the new friends too be made that I talked to.....
Thank-you.
P.S...
I did locate the "piece of metal" that viciously attacked my right fender on the way out.....
I've got some good friends who can work wonders with scratched metal.
Can't wait till next year, be carefully and, fly safe tomorrow everyone!

 

[kruland]

I had the first rack today, Sunday 9/1, all to my self. While everybody was racking in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, Terry put my three birds in the air.

First flight was my Semroc Javelin on a D12-5. Today, I named it "God Speed, Carl", in memorial. It flew just as good as new even after the couple of repairs its been through.

Second was the first flight of my 168% upscale Estes Colonial Viper with water slides by Excelsior. I flew it on an E28-4. It was a beautiful flight and fine recovery in the dirt with minimum number of scratches. Unfortunately it did kick out my 24/40 case because I didn't tape it in well enough :blush: (see related wanted listing...)

Third was the first flight of my Shrox Skonk Wulf built from plans. I flew it on a D12-3 with 1oz of clay in the nose. The RSO and I couldn't agree if it would fly well, but basically agreed to give it a go. It was a beautiful flight with a slow majestic and heart-stopping ascent. The 3 second delay seemed just about right to me. This bird has definitely earned some quality time with a wet sanding, extra colors and decals. I think the next flight will be on an E18 (now where did I put that 24/40 case?)

Also, I'd like to share a couple of good uses for boys on the field. They can stick their arms deep in cases, and even schlepp home some goodies found in the fields.

 

[jpummil]

Was a great weekend! Didn't get SUPER hot until mid afternoon on Saturday. Enough time to get my 3" Darkstar up to 7168' on a "K" Sparky research motor and a trouble free recovery. Was lacking in the "sparky" department...Pat G said "needs more Ti" :gavel:
To make things even better, Kevin's son was available to clean up my 54-2000 case like new for a very reasonable fee! Win-win :wink:
Had to leave this afternoon before the cloud cover lifted enough for my minimum diameter flight, but I'll be back! Did Tim D get the Phoenix flown today?

Picked up my new RRC3 and am anxious to see what all it can do.

AND....finally put faces and handshakes to a fair number of my TRF friends! So glad to meet so many of you in person...wonderful group :grin:

Edit: Forgot one BIG thank you...to The Kloudbusters for putting on yet another outstanding launch and being so generous with advice, equipment loans....the works! Thanks guys!

 

[dshmel]

A view from above.

 

[dixontj93060]

Tim D get the Phoenix flown today?

Yes after about 6 hours on the pad we had a party out on the 60s and 70s pads about 3:30pm with Jim Jarvis, B'Dale, et.al. loading and arming the "big flights.". Phoenix flight was perfect to 10,017 on a beautiful Loki M900R (very red). Recovery out by 88 pad so short walk .

 

[lilminijpc]

The mosquito and scrambler should fly tomorrow.

rdbones will give a full report soon, in summary: azrt had a better day today.

a big thank you goes out to the Kloudbuster's team for another fun & amazing launch!!!

 

[troj]

Yes after about 6 hours on the pad we had a party out on the 60s and 70s pads about 3:30pm with Jim Jarvis, B'Dale, et.al. loading and arming the "big flights.". Phoenix flight was perfect to 10,017 on a beautiful Loki M900R (very red). Recovery out by 88 pad so short walk .

Thanks to everyone in that party for their understanding and cooperation - those low clouds took their time leaving!

 

[rdbones]

rdbones will give a full report soon, in summary: azrt had a better day today.

a big thank you goes out to the Kloudbuster's team for another fun & amazing launch!!!

Ok here is the report.
Jay, Greg and I arrived on the field Thursday afternoon and began to set up the prep area. The Just Boys from Tucson got in and we pulled them in next to us. We had the chance to see some old friends. The Wildman started cooking up some killer steak sandwiches (Thanks Tim).

Friday rolled in and we finished up setting everything up and started some prep on the Alpha and caught up with some more old friends.

Saturday arrived and we finished up prepping the Alpha and got it out to the pad and upright.
As mentioned earlier it dd fly but some fin flutter was the demise of the massive fins in flight. It was safe and no one was hurt! We learned a few things so we are ok with the outcome. In reality we had planned on scrapping everything but the fin can after the launch anyways and we got that and the expensive parts back.


After the Alpha flew several of us help out on range duty for a few hours. Then it was time to disassemble the Alpha, yes there was some to take apart then we started prepping the N'osquito and then Scrambler.

Sunday we got out to the field early and were trying to beat the weather that was rolling in. The hard part was finding Troj and having him verify and sign the payload!!!


We got both of them out to the pads and set up next to each other as it was starting to rain. After a few real quick pictures (which we did not get with the Alpha) it was time to put these in the sky.

The first of the two was the N'osquito which had a great flight to about 1800' with parachutes coming out at the top and almost stuck the landing.

Since this was my first N motor I was real happy with the flight

As soon as the N'osquito landed (since it floated right over the pads) we lofted a 4 pound ostrich egg in the Scrambler to an altitude of 2552' and landed it nice and soft with out damage to the rocket, the egg or Roy.
.

After all that, Greg and Kris helped the Just Boys get there 10" Thor off and I provided a wimpy red K939 for their 4"Thor was kicked it up there good.

With the time and the weather we have opted not to fly the Mean Machine so we could have today to watch a few flights.

To Lance, Bob and the rest of the KLOUDBusters - THANK YOU for putting on an Eggselent Launch as always you guys did an awesome job.

 

[dixontj93060]

I happened to be loaded on the 60s pads with these projects yesterday morning. Seeing the rockets up close and watching the flights with the team, all I can say is these guys have much to be proud of--just a great team effort! And yes, I attest, it was a real ostrich egg .

Ok here is the report.
Jay, Greg and I arrived on the field Thursday afternoon and began to set up the prep area. The Just Boys from Tucson got in and we pulled them in next to us. We had the chance to see some old friends. The Wildman started cooking up some killer steak sandwiches (Thanks Tim).

Friday rolled in and we finished up setting everything up and started some prep on the Alpha and caught up with some more old friends.

Saturday arrived and we finished up prepping the Alpha and got it out to the pad and upright.
As mentioned earlier it dd fly but some fin flutter was the demise of the massive fins in flight. It was safe and no one was hurt! We learned a few things so we are ok with the outcome. In reality we had planned on scrapping everything but the fin can after the launch anyways and we got that and the expensive parts back.
View attachment 144307

After the Alpha flew several of us help out on range duty for a few hours. Then it was time to disassemble the Alpha, yes there was some to take apart then we started prepping the N'osquito and then Scrambler.

Sunday we got out to the field early and were trying to beat the weather that was rolling in. The hard part was finding Troj and having him verify and sign the payload!!!
View attachment 144308

We got both of them out to the pads and set up next to each other as it was starting to rain. After a few real quick pictures (which we did not get with the Alpha) it was time to put these in the sky.

The first of the two was the N'osquito which had a great flight to about 1800' with parachutes coming out at the top and almost stuck the landing.
View attachment 144309
Since this was my first N motor I was real happy with the flight

As soon as the N'osquito landed (since it floated right over the pads) we lofted a 4 pound ostrich egg in the Scrambler to an altitude of 2552' and landed it nice and soft with out damage to the rocket, the egg or Roy.
View attachment 144310. View attachment 144311

After all that, Greg and Kris helped the Just Boys get there 10" Thor off and I provided a wimpy red K939 for their 4"Thor was kicked it up there good.

With the time and the weather we have opted not to fly the Mean Machine so we could have today to watch a few flights.

To Lance, Bob and the rest of the KLOUDBusters - THANK YOU for putting on an Eggselent Launch as always you guys did an awesome job.

 

[troj]

First two flights yesterday taught us a valuable lesson. Don't fly anything without a tracker. Sharon lost her Wild Child and I almost lost my Executioner. Spent hours walking around in freshly disked wheat fields looking for them. Finally found the Executioner almost a mile from the launch area.

Yeah, trackers are a wonderful thing!

Felt kinda lonesome flying the little Estes rocket on the away pads, but they won't let you fly even a G-75 Metalstorm less than 1/4 mile from the camping area. Had to wait over an hour while one other flier set up a huge two stage rocket while my little rocket sat out there.

Just as a point of explanation for those who aren't familiar with the KLOUDBusters' field, Wayne had to talk his G75 out to the away pads, because the closer pads are on grass. For fire safety reasons, all sparky motors fly off of dirt, which puts them at the Away Cell.

BTW, Wayne, it was great to meet you and Sharon!

-Kevin

 

[troj]

A huge thank you to the fine folks of the KLOUDBusters -- once again, you put on a fine show and an excellent launch.

-Kevin

 

[dixontj93060]

A huge thank you to the fine folks of the KLOUDBusters -- once again, you put on a fine show and an excellent launch.

Yes, what a great launch! I may have to make it an annual trek. But I do want to point out one thing that came out in a conversation with Bob Brown around noon yesterday--KLOUDBusters is clearly a misnomer

 

[cjl]

It was a wonderful launch, and as always, I really enjoyed heading out and catching up with everyone (and I even flew a rocket! - my Kraken hit nearly 12k on Saturday, right before the madness with the giant Venus Probes). It was great seeing everyone, and I look forward to next year

 

[Wayco]

Just as a point of explanation for those who aren't familiar with the KLOUDBusters' field, Wayne had to take his G75 out to the away pads, because the closer pads are on grass. For fire safety reasons, all sparky motors fly off of dirt, which puts them at the Away Cell.

BTW, Wayne, it was great to meet you and Sharon!

-Kevin

Thanks Kevin, I didn't mean to be negative with my other post, just tired and wanted to give all my buddies back home an update before we crashed for the night. It was great meeting you and many others at the launch over the past few days. No way could I relate all that happened since my last post, but here are a few highlights. Sharon was at the RSO table to get her Squat! inspected and looked over at the found pile and there was her Wild Child!

So we did not lose one rocket over the whole launch. I will let Sharon post up about the motor failure she had with "HI TENSION".
Sunday I flew the BlackStar on a CTI K454 Skidmark:

Once we started putting trackers in our rockets, they all landed close to the road for easy recovery. Sharon bought a keychain camera from Whitney A. Richard II who is Bayou Rat Rocketry, (and not nearly as stuffy as his name suggests.) He was one of the new friends we made and a close neighbor in the tent city you can see just about 100 ft.to the left of the fin in the pic. below:

We hooked up with a great group from down south that included Whitney and Andrew and Crystal Grippo. Hooked all our tents together and had a great time.They have been coming to this event for several years and helped us adapt to flying at Airfest.
Can't go too far without mentioning Tim and Jackie Lehr. Wildman and his wife were a great help spending our money and sharing information. CJ Hendrickson helped Sharon set up her Super Jart for dual deploy and was another great source of info.
I volunteered to help the LSO spot rockets and met Terry who was announcing the flights. Another great guy who came by our camp and talked to us for a while. I think the only time he got quiet was when I told him my job description..... Sharon ended up launching rockets with us for the two hours I was on duty.
Several surprising things happened, I got a "Sheriff duck" from Kevin at Wildman's camp, I met Roy (again) with Arizona Rocketry team again when Sharon pointed out that he was the guy that gave me a CTI 2 grain casing after the patriot barrage during the 2011 GHS launch. We have come a long way since then.
The bunny flew on a CTI K261 White longburn and didn't exceed the simmed altitude, that was a big surprise! Still got 11,087 ft.
Finally, I have to give a big thank you to the Kloudbusters. A very well run event that should not be missed, even if you have to travel for days to get there. Sharon and I are already making plans to attend next year.

 

[jpummil]

Sunday I flew the BlackStar on a CTI K454 Skidmark:

Wayne, what was your max altitude on this one? I flew mine on a similar motor (5 grain "K" Sparky research motor) and got 7168' out of it.