Welcome to Tripoli-San Diego
January 2012 Launch Report
It was perfect weather on Saturday. Clear and low to no wind (at least on
the ground). There were a number of people that came out Friday, including
Robert B. who again pulled trailer duty. Thanks much Robert. It was a
beautiful calm night with almost a full moon. The cones were out and we
left a light on to welcome you to the launch.
Saturday morning the San Diego crowd started showing up around 9. By 10
there was a decent group and rockets were starting to fly regularly. Our PA
system failed, so we had to yell out our countdowns. Larry B. did more
research for his Level 3 tubefin project and also gets kudos for his Frank
Kosden imitation. Joe C. and Paul B. put up the largest rocket of the
weekend, a scratch built Raven on an M1297. Unfortunately the deployment
was not so smooth as the up. Mark C., Greg S., and Howard S. showed us all
how to make a Squat fly straight and stable. Nice job guys. There were
also some stable V2 flights, including a beautiful red and black 7.5" model
which flew on a J410. Bruce D. had repaired his Armageddon and prepped it
for what was rumored to be his fourth try at a successful flight. With a
K360 it had a very nice straight stable flight. He did lose the nose cone
during deployment, but Larry found it Sunday. Congratulations Bruce! BTW,
anyone who finds a purple nose cone - please return it to Larry. Darrel
started the new year with his tradition of losing another scratch built
rocket with a J570 flight. It may be time to invest in a tracker or at
least put your phone number on the rocket. I was looking for Jim D.'s
two-stage flight, but apparently he didn't fly it. Maybe next time. There
were a number of high impulse flights on VMAX and Warp 9 motors. I even
managed to get in on the action with a K1999 flight on a minimum diameter
rocket to 7232'.
Chris B. took photos which you can see
here.
Greg S. photos are
here.
Mike C. photos are
here or
here
Saturday evening we had a fantastic potluck that even Jack couldn't resist.
John made his New Years French Onion soup with croutons and melted cheese.
Joe again grilled up some very good marinated chicken. I believe it was the
Pearce's who brought the pulled pork. There were salads, cornbread, cake,
GF cookies (thanks Mike V.) and many other tasty treats. There was even a
little champagne. After dinner we had the annual burning of the used
Christmas tree to start the campfire.
Sunday was again clear, but not as calm. There were some flights, but most
folks got their flying in on Saturday.
Thanks to Dori who collected membership dues and launch fees. Robert
volunteered to return the trailer, so thanks again Robert. John helped with
certifications. Thanks to all who helped set up and tear down the range,
and those who performed RSO duty.
Paul
About Our Club
Tripoli-San Diego is a Prefecture of the Tripoli
Rocketry Association(TRA). Tripoli-San Diego was formed in the late 1980's.
Tripoli-San Diego works closely with DART promoting rocketry in the San Diego area. Both clubs are non-profit organizations
comprised of individuals and their families from all walks of life. Club members
are committed to conducting rocketry related activities and instructing groups
in the sport of Rocketry.
Tripoli-San Diego conducts monthly launches from September through
June at the Plaster CIty launch site in the desert near El Centro CA. The club,
in cooperation with DART, conducts an annual regional launch, Plaster
Blaster
Monthly launches are open to spectators. Rocketeers wishing to
launch must be certified by either NAR or Tripoli for high power launches. Certification
is not required for sport rocket launches. A launch fee of $10 is charged for
each family that is launching rockets .We operate in compliance with BATF, FAA, CPSC, Tripoli Rocketry Association, and California State Fire Marshall regulations. This means the maximum motor size you may fly is an “M” (10,240 N-sec), and the maximum total power of all motors is an “N” (20,480 N-sec), as long as the altitude waiver is not exceeded.
If you would like to become a member of Tripoli-SanDiego you can download a membership application
in .pdf.
Tripoli-San Diego Mailing List
Club members can communicate with other members through the clubs
mailing list(listserv). If you are a club member you can subscribe to the mailing
list or send messages to the club by clicking here.
You can also view past messages and manage your subscription at this site.
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