Author: JET66

Well, the day was clear and we had great participation with the hopes of at least one level 3 launch, maybe one or two level 2 launches, and several level 1 flights. The FAA waiver for up to 14k was in place.

Unfortunately, the winds were not cooperating and all that were in attendance and drove quite some distances were disappointed. It is understandable.

When there was a slight lull, five rockets made a successful flight and recovery.

Then then the surface winds continued to stay constant at the above 20 mph safe limit.

Weather

The RSO must have clear and convincing evidence that the following constraints are not violated.

1. Do not launch if ground level winds exceed 20 mph.

2. Do not launch if the planned flight path will carry the vehicle through any clouds

3. Do not launch if any type of lightning is detected within 10 miles of the launch site

GOOD SENSE RULE: Even when constraints are not violated, if any other hazardous weather conditions exist, the RSO may hold at any time based on the instability of the weather.

We do hope for better weather for the April weekend.

Virtual NARCON 2021 was AWESOME 👌

Here is a link with presentation highlights:

https://youtube.com/channel/UCscXnrq6Hi9gT6ZMPw1mUeA

Sorry to announce that the Clubs end of the year launch in Parkdale has to be canceled.

I am looking forward to a better 2021.

If you are an active NAR member, please make sure to register for the virtual NARCON 2021 event:

NARCON 2021

It was really an impressive test. I am sure they will get it working as designed soon:

Here is the link for the NARCON 2020 presentations that you may find informative:

Presentations

Here is the archive web link for the NARCON 2019 presentations:

Presentations

This is a neat video by Scott Manley on the 28 November launch from Vandenberg AFB:

The latest launch was really a very fortunate day. The entire week before the day of the launch was rain, wind, and cold weather. Sunday was a very 50/50 chance of good weather. Miraculously the sun came out and we had very little to a mild breeze of less than 20 mph during the active time of the NOTAM. Two club members worked diligently towards their NAR L3 certification flight.

We had less then 25 people in attendance and masks and social distancing was in place.

Both rocket launches towards the level 3 certification boosted great. After that point, both encountered some issues. All components of each rocket returned safely and they will both work towards another attempt. Both were not discouraged and I know they will both accomplish the goal. Achieving Level 3 is not given, it is definitely earned and is a good learning curve.

Frank Burke from Dyna Soar Rocketry arrived and launched a few of his really impressive radio-controlled boost gliders:

This has been a really hectic year. Thank you for making it to the small launch due to the current real world events. Hopefully next year once things hopefully get back to some form of a normal life, we can plan for some more launches from his location. In the meantime, please stay safe and we will look forward to have some launches in 2021 from March to June time frame. Maybe have a couple of two day events.

The neat little Flightsketch mini altimeter is a very impressive little altimeter and is worth the price of $40.00.

I tried one out on the Quest duel motor cluster kit called Magnum. The little altimeter provides not just the altitude. It also provides wind speed, temperature, and humidity. You can upload it to their web link and review the data as well as download the CVS file from the site for record-keeping: https://flightsketch.com/flights/1158/  

Commemoration
by
Judith L. Freed
August 11, 1996

Seven candles burning bright
Six are red and one is white
We gather here upon this date
Man on the Moon to celebrate
On the 20th of July in '69
A drama as to stretch the mind
Man from Earth his foot did place
Upon the Moon in Outer Space
How did Man come to such a task
To reach this goal that we may ask
Because of Men who dared to dream
This Cosmic plan did Science scheme
A journey such as none had done
The quest of who would be the one
To touch the Moon and place the flag
The race was on no time to lag
To land upon another World
The mind of Science would be hurled
And leave our flag for all to know
That dreaming dreams can make it so
To Armstrong Aldrin Collins too
With courage and hope these precious few
Did take us thereupon that day
The Moon no longer dreams away
So we remember from now on
That Man has been and Man has gone
To dream and seek and hope and search
And bring us back the Universe.

http://www.evoloterra.com/pdf/Evoloterra_2019.10.20.pdf