National Sport Launch 2006

[SecretSquirrel]

The web site is partially up:
https://www.nsl2006.org


Events scheduled at this time:

Cochran Challenge
Classic Model Rocket Display and Launch
Dr. Pepper Lofting
Iron Rocketeer
NAR Altitude record attempt
Internats team practice sessions


With any luck, registration will be open by Monday. Adult registration is $20.00
until May
1, 2006, $30.00 thereafter, preregistation or at the field. Kids 18 and under
fly mid and
low power free and should register at the field.



Gargas Paradox - NSL 2006 Commemorative Kit

Designed by DARS member Bill Gee and produced by the club with technical support
donated by Red River Rocketry and Squirrel Works Model Rocketry, the Gargas
Paradox is a
creative nod to the DARS logo and its designer.

The kit is 25.45 inches long. She features a balsa nose cone and transition,
laser cut fins, a
15 inch mylar parachute and comes packaged with a full color, machine numbered,
facecard. Limited edition of 100 kits.

Coming Soon, price TBD




Saturday Night Buffet Dinner
This is a perfect chance to get together after the launch and trade stories away
from the
sun and noise.

Held at Johnny's Place in McGregor the buffet will feature: Sirloin Steak,
Popcorn Shrimp,
Chicken Fried Steak and Chicken Twisters (peppers, wrapped in chicken breast
meat,
wrapped in bacon), assorted potatoes and vegetables, a soup and salad bar with
ice cream
and cobbler for dessert. Non-alcoholic beverage, tax and tip is included.

$13.00




NSL 2006 Commemorative T-Shirt

Coming Soon, price TBD

 

[Donaldsrockets]

Now that's cool.

Looks like it could be made to fly as a two stager.

 

[Ted Cochran]

Originally posted by SecretSquirrel

Events scheduled at this time:

Cochran Challenge

Zephram or Ted?



--tc

 

[TWRackers]

For those folks who have Google Earth installed on their computers, you can find the launch field by entering these coordinates into the search box. (Copy-and-paste works best.)

31.408N 97.413W

You'll probably need to zoom out a bit to see the whole field.

Of course, this assumes the aerial photo at the NSL web site is the correct location. I've never been there.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Originally posted by TWRackers

Of course, this assumes the aerial photo at the NSL web site is the correct location.

It is.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

While the final details of the Cochran Challenge rules are still being worked out, I can give you the basic idea.

This is simply building a rocket kit and modifying it to take larger motors than the manufacturer intended. The finished rocket should usually look as stock as possible from the outside, but modifications can be made for strength.

A rocket kit whose largest recommended engine is a C would have a warp 1 flight on a D motor, a warp 2 flight on an E motor and so on.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Overview
The intent of the DARS Classic at NSL is to celebrate the rockets that started the commercial hobby, and stroll down memory lane with some of the classic rockets that you may have owned or just wish you owned. This event will run in parallel with the NAR National Sport Launch McGregor, Texas on Saturday, May 27.

Rules for the DARS Classic at NSL
• Rockets will be grouped into 4 categories: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and Open. Open will be used for post 1989 rockets and for those that can’t be identified with a date of origin. Additionally the open category will be used for upscales and downscales of classics. Rockets in the decade categories will be grouped based on the first year the model was introduced to the hobby. (Example: The Estes Andromeda was introduced in 1975 and appears in the 1975 Estes catalog with the word “New” next to it. It would then be grouped with the 70’s decade rockets.)
• The contest is open to original models and clones of those originals.
• There is no limit on the number of rockets a contestant can enter. Entering multiple rockets in each of multiple categories is allowed.
• Bonus points – Participants can earn bonus points that are added to their popular vote points. Points will be awarded as follows:
o Proof of rocket introduction timeframe (ninfinger.org) – 1 point, Catalog of the same year displaying the rocket - 2 points (one or the other, not both)
o Displayed with launch system of the same period - 1 point
o Flyable (must be flown at the launch) - 1 point
o Original picture from the rocket decade period with modeler and same rocket - 1 point
• Participants will register their models with the contest volunteer. The volunteer will assign the rocket to the appropriate decade, assess bonus points, and assign a number to the model. Flyers will vote on the rockets based on these numbers.
• Rockets will be labeled with model name, year of introduction, voting number, and type (original, clone, new old stock, or modified). Labels will be provided at the site.
• Rockets will be displayed on tables throughout the day. Models can be checked in or out at any time. Participants must secure their models to the tables to avoid damage due to wind, etc. Tape will be provided.
• Contestants' rockets will be grouped for display with rockets in the same category. Any rocketeer wishing to submit a composite display of multiple rockets must limit such a display to rockets from the same decade category.
• Display table space will be limited so contestants should arrange their displays to use no more than 96 square inches per rocket (8" x 12"). Please keep display sizes to a minimum wherever possible.
• Rockets can be presented for registration at any time during the day. Voting can occur any time when the rockets are on the tables until the polls close. One vote per customer. Votes will be tallied and winners announced. You must be present to win.
• Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each decade and the open category. Prizes TBD.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

We just got home from the March DARS meeting, where the club packaged the Gargas Paradox kit.

Of the 100 kits produced, 33 have already been sold or reserved. 5 will be going to NARCON with John Dyer of Red River Rocketry.

Anyone wanting a kit should keep an eye on the NSL web site tomorrow for the site update. The kits will probably be snapped up pretty quick, so get your order in early. The price is $26.50 postage paid.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Cochran Challenge

The Cochran Challenge has one simple goal. Slam as big an engine as possible in your rocket and let her rip. The guidelines are just as simple.

1) This event is open to any rocket kit currently produced. Sorry, no scratch builds.

2) Finished rockets must appear stock but some changes can be made for safety factors and to accommodate larger motors.

3) You must exceed the recommended engine size by at least 1 impulse range.

4) 1 size up equals 1 warp factor.

Additional Notes:

Anyone who successfully completes a Cochran flight will receive an NSL 2006 Cochran Challenge certificate clearly stating the level of warp achieved.

There is no fee other than NSL membership required.

Flights can be high or low power.

There will be three special judges awards announced at close of field on Sunday. The judge is keeping his criteria to himself, but I suspect that level of warp and craftsmanship may be involved.






Dr Pepper Lofting

This is a High-Power Level 1 and above contest free for participation by NSL 2006 members.

Contest Guidelines:

Payload will be a standard 12 oz can of Dr. Pepper supplied by the NSL Committee.

No forgein object may be affixed to the can, though loose padding material may be placed around the can for additional protection.

The can must be recovered and presented to the judge intact after your flight.

This is a drag race event with the winner being first over the judge's selected line.

Qualifing races will be held at 10, 2 and 4 on Saturday and 10 and 2 on Sunday with the finals at 4 pm on Sunday.

First prize is a case of Dublin Dr Pepper

For those who aren't familar with Dublin Dr Pepper, it is the only Dr Pepper still made with the original formula using pure cane sugar.




Iron Rocketeer

The Iron Rocketeer is a FREE event open to kids attending NSL 2006 age 12 and under.

Each participant will receive a sealed bag of parts including all the elements necessary to design and build 1 rocket.

Registration for the Iron Rocketeer Challenge will open at 12 noon on Saturday.

Participation will be limited to the first 30 NSL attendees 12 or under to sign up for the event.

Participants may receive technical help from older attendees.

A Certificate of Engineering Excellence will be issues to each participant who successfully completes and flys their rocket by 3 pm on Sunday

Engines, glue, paint, etc are not provided by the NSL Committee and should be brought to the field by the participant.

All rockets become the property of the builder and may be taken home by the participant

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Vendors pages have been added to the web site.

Special thanks to Sirius Rocketry for their sponsorship of the Cochran Challenge.