ISOAR Launch - June 2014

Rain scrubbed our launch last weekend, but it held off long enough to get in two flights today.  First up was Angry Birds on an Aerotech I357 Blue Thunder.

Unfortunately the key chain camera didn't record the flight, so all I have is this quick clip from the launch pad:

Recovery in the tall grass was a little challenging.  Even with an 6' parachute it was tough to spot.

Next up was the LOC Bruiser, also known as the "graduation rocket" because I built this for my high school graduation party.  It hadn't flown since the crash in 2011 at Plaster City.  I decided a few weeks ago to repair the fins and the zipper.  Today it flew on an Aerotech J340 Metal Storm:

The motor has a 14 second delay and I drilled it down to 6 seconds, but it appears it went earlier than that.  Even with the early ejection charge there was no damage and it landed less than 50 yards from the pad.

My oldest son went out with me to recover it.  The grass was up to his chin!

ISOAR Launch - May 2014

Finally!  After seven months off I got to fly again.  This was also my first time flying back in Iowa since high school.  I flew two of my original mid-power rockets from the 1990's and also California Dreamin'.  That bird has flown 10 times now and still going strong.

I tried something a little different this time.  I attached a two-foot piece of rigid brake line to the payload section of my PML Phobos that extended beyond the nose cone.  At the end of the line I attached a keychain camera looking down onto the rocket.  I wasn't sure how straight the rocket would fly or if the camera would stay attached, but everything held together.  The flight wasn't as squirrely as I thought it'd be and it made for a unique perspective.  Check out the video.

The launch was held at the Indianola Balloon Grounds.  This is a great place to launch mid-power rockets.  I was able to launch and recover all three in less than 90 minutes!  Looking forward to next month.

Rocket Workshop Complete!

Alright the workshop is finished, it's time to get serious about building!

ISOAR Tripoli # 21 Launch Schedule

The 2014 ISOAR schedule has been posted!  Our first launch is March 16th at the Indianola Ballon Grounds from 10-5 --- weather permitting of course.

March 16
April 27
May 18
June 15
July 13
August 17
September 21
October 19
November 16

View launch info here

Kickstart Your Night - Superbowl Commercial

Did you see the Mt. Dew Kickstart Your Night commercial during the Superbowl?  It featured over 800 rockets!

Here's the commercial if you missed it:

That's the motivation I needed to kickstart my rocket building into high gear.  I have two projects sitting in the garage.  The first is a two-stage Wildman 3.  This will be my first high power two stage attempt.  The second project is a Space Cowboy which will be my first attempt at breaking the sound barrier!  2014 will be a fun building and flying season!