From: barrett@add.itg.ti.com
Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets
Subject: LDRS XI - trip report
Date: 25 Aug 92 20:25:11 GMT
Organization: Texas Instruments, Austin, Tx.

Paul did a good job with this.  I have a few additions....

Black Rock Desert:  FANTASTIC place to launch rockets.  The days were
HOT, the nights were a struggle.  Last year was better (weather wise).
Friday nite's 60mph dust storm was a killer!!  Anyone going to Black
rock in the summer needs to bring sun shade (many people used
umbrellas!) and Lots of fluids.  I'm from Texas so it was not too bad
(except for Friday!).  Black rock will always be THE place for big HPR
stuff.  The reason the LDRS XII was moved to Kansas next year was so
that more members could attend.  I think that was a good idea.  Aeropac
has several Black Rock Launches a year for those that need/want the
best.

Politics
========

I've already posted some stuff on this topic...


>| Whenever I went to the community center there always seemed to be
>| someone outside telling Jerry Irvine jokes/horror stories.

How true, how true.  One funny Jerry Irvine story I witnessed at a
Texas launch in July.  The LCO announced a rocket with a US Rockets H???
engine.  About 10% of the folks in attendance were Tripoli members (the
rest NAR).  Those 10% took cover while the rest were asking "hey, where
are you guys going?"  The rocket Cato'ed on the pad, the fire crew ran
around in circles, and we laughed ourselves silly.

Rockets:

Some memorable moments for me...

Some crazy launched an Estes Phoenix with a H?? STAGING to a G??  It was
unstable (SURPRISE! I'm surprised the RSO let it by) and proceeded to
land shark quite spectacularly.

Lots of 54mm RMs motors.  They work great now!  I got 7400' with a Loc
Caliber with a J275.  The J180 is a GREAT motor.  I flew one in my THOY
Falcon that went straight as an arrow >6000'.  It wasn't tracked due to
the fact that the Blue Thunder is smokeless and the trackers didn't see
the liftoff.  Important information if you want a good track!

John Cato had a heart break with his beautiful Nike-Smoke that didn't
light the core Vulcan L??? and the 4 outboard H's only caused it to fall
from 2000'.  Way before the ejection timers were programmed.  ALWAYS get
the core motor going first!!

I was really impressed with a launch of a modified THOY Phoenix (one of
my favorite models) that took off on a K1100!  I want to build a Phoenix
now that will take a 54mm motor!

Got to see Aerotech's RC boost glider (Phoenix) a few times.  The
"pilot" was very good and gave quite an entertaining experience.

Each day was up at 6:30 setting up and prepping motors and models.  I
had all of my stuff ready to shoot by 9am.  Most of my launches were in
the better morning conditions.

Yes, the LOC/MAGNUM drag race was great!  The Cato's on the big engines
were kind of scary even from 300' away.

I was 50' away from Dennis Lamouth when they launched the "Down Right
Ignorant".  I still think that it was closer to 40' tall.  It was a
fantastic way to end the week!

 General
=======

Thanks to all Aeropac members.  They really worked hard in the heat and
the wind.  The Kansas guys have a tough act to follow.
From: bo@hpfcmgw.FC.HP.COM (Bo Viger)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 17:28:34 GMT
Subject: Re: DOT/CPSC/FAA Situation
Organization: HP Fort Collins, CO