Toni and I started our journey to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for another rocket flying weekend. Unlike last month, the weather forecast predicted very hot temperatures. We made the odyssey over the Bay Bridge early and met other rocketeers for a nice breakfast at Ram’s Head before separating to kill some time before the noon launch start time. Toni and I did some antiquing until it was time to arrive at the field.

We arrived at the Centerville Sod Farm to bright sunshine, very hot, humid temperatures, and barely a zephyr. Field setup was hard in the heat but went smooth with help from other flyers. The hot temps were tough and I could not take enough water to quench my never ending thirst. A slight zephyr would find its way through the flight line bringing only temporary relief. I relaxed in the shade of the awning observing other flights. There was such little breeze that rockets deploying their main parachute 4000 feet overhead were landing feet from where they launch.

I took Shaken, Not Stirred to the pad with an H225 for propulsion and aimed her straight up. Shaken, Not Stirred
Blasted off the pad at the conclusion of the countdown and ascended on a straight trajectory to an apogee of 1,320 feet where the drogue chute was successfully deployed. Shaken, Not Stirred descended to 300 feet where the main parachute was successfully deployed. Shaken, Not Stirred landed without damage mere feet from the pad she launched from. See Shaken, Not Stirred fly here.

Shaken, Not Stirred was our only flight of the day. I filmed other flights and continued to drink plenty of fluids until the last flyer flew. We packed the field up for the night and started our journey home through severe thunderstorms. We arrived home exhausted and thirsty but were satisfied with the day’s flights. Toni and I were not to return on Sunday due to prior commitments. See other flights here. Until the next launch . . .