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July 2011 Launch Report
July 16-17, 2011 at Central Sod Farm

This was one of the very rare weekends that Toni and I had no obligations so we quickly packed our bags, loaded some rockets into the Highlander and zipped over to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for a weekend of R and R, Rockets and Relaxation. We beat the beach traffic and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Holly’s before heading over to Backyard Billy’s to price some sheds. After discovering what we cannot afford, we headed over to the field to help set up.

The weather was uncharacteristic for July on the Eastern Shore. The humidity was low, the temperatures were comfortable, and the cooling breezes were light. The sky was blue with an occasional puffy white cloud that would pass overhead. The nice weather brought out many flyers and the back field of the sod farm looked like a Red Glare launch event with cars parked the entire length of the drive. It did not take long for the field to be set up. The weekend’s challenge was to keep the rockets out of the consuming corn fields that were higher than an elephant’s ear.

MDRA was also installing much needed shelving in the club’s trailer where I spent most of the day assisting wherever I could. I filmed only one flight and had no flights of my own. Toni also assisted and managed to purchase some endangered Loki J528 engine reloads for her rocket. We relaxed most of Saturday, enjoying the nice weather and watching the many rockets. Saturday evening had a welcome back party for a former MDRA BOD member who had just returned from Afghanistan. We left the field and grabbed a quick bite to eat before going to the VFW, where the beer flowed freely.

We woke early Sunday morning and ate a quick continental breakfast at the hotel before heading to the field. We arrived at the field and had it set up for the day’s launch. We then hurried to prep our rockets for some air time.

I had most of Shaken, Not Stirred prepped at home but I had to fluff the chutes and make the connections. I install an old faithful Loki H144 into the aft end and took it to the pad. The LCO was so impressed by Shaken, Not Stirred’s prowess on the pad, its paint glinting in the wind, the majestic rocket in a tuxedo that he could not stop commenting on its splendor. However, Shaken, Not Stirred wanted to fly and I had to remind the LCO to put it in the air.

Shaken, Not Stirred leapt from the pad and arced over at 1,228 feet. It seemed longer than normal before the drogue was ejected and deployed. The LCO, still enamored with Shaken, Not Stirred, continued to comment, even when the generator ran out of gas, cutting power to the sound system. The main parachute deployed at 400 feet and Shaken, Not Stirred came to rest on the only large rock at the sod farm. The rock dented the motor retention system which will require repairs. Close inspection also revealed a small zipper in the main body tube that will also require repairing. Count the “nices” and watch Shaken, Not Stirred fly here.

Toni had Sally Ride prepped with a 7-year old Loki J528 for propulsion. Sally Ride named after Sally Ride the astronaut, glinted in her patriotic colors in the sun until the conclusion of the countdown. With a huff and a chuff, Sally Ride rode to the heavens on the designed arc into the wind before deploying her drogue at 1,250 feet. Sally Ride’s mains deployed at 700 feet where the rocket hovered for some time, showing off her custom main parachute, before slowly descending to a soft landing in the beans. See ride Sally Ride here.

With such a beautiful day it seemed odd that those were the only two rockets that we flew. We had other rockets but decided to rest, relax, and watch the many other flights. I assisted with the trailer shelves again and filmed some other flights. Soon there were no more flyers and we reluctantly closed the field down. We managed to miss the returning beach traffic and arrived home without incident. A quick swim in the pool washed the day’s dust off and rejuvenated us. All in all, it was not a bad weekend for July. Until the next launch . . .

Counter
By Peter E. Abresch Jr.
Crowded Flight Line for a summer launch
Sunday was typical of a summer launch
By Peter E. Abresch Jr.
Shaken, Not Stirred landing in the small beans
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  Crowded Flight Line for a summer launch
Sunday was typical of a summer launch 
Sally Ride landing in the beans
Toni recovering Sally Ride
Toni recovering Sally Ride
Shaken, Not Stirred landing in the small beans
Sally Ride landing in the beans
Peter with Shaken, Not Stirred just prior to the flight
Sally Ride landing in the beans
Shaken, Not Stirred landing in the small beans