The weather forecast called for clear blue skies, low winds, no humidity, and temperatures in the low 70s. This weather was a gift from the rocket gods and I quickly packed the Highlander to take advantage of it. Ben is away at college and Toni had some painting to do so I made the trek to the Central Sod Farm alone. Labor Day has come and gone so there was no traffic to contend with. I arrived at the sod farm and the weather did not disappoint. Other rocketeers recognized this gift and were also on hand to make the field setup quick and easy.

First rocket up was R2/V2 on a Loki G80. I angled the launch rail slightly into the wind to accommodate the slight breeze that was blowing towards the trees. R2/V2 bolted into the air and slowly arced over on its 15th flight. The parachute was ejected and opened on queue. R2/V2 slowly descended to a soft landing in the luscious green sod. See the flight here.

The Boy Scouts arrived and I knew that A-Rack time would become premium. I quickly prepared Der Big Red Max with an Estes C11-6 black powder engine and installed the rocket on the A-Rack. Der Big Red Max fizzed off the pad to about 800 feet, spitting and sputtering all the way. The parachute deployed successfully bringing Der Big Red Max to a safe landing in the nice sod. See the big bad C11 engine in action here.

Maxi Alpha was next on the pad. After a false continuity problem with the Copperhead Igniter (commonly referred to as a Crapperhead), Maxi Alpha leapt from the pad to about 1100 feet and arced over. It was a long arc and many were suspecting lawn dart recovery but Maxi Alpha disappointed them and ejected its oversize main parachute. Maxi Alpha slowly drifted to a soft landing in the sod. See the flight here.

The last rocket of the day was Shaken, Not Stirred with a Loki H144. Shaken, Not Stirred took to the skies in no time and pushed its drogue chute out at apogee. It descended directly overhead and was momentarily lost in the sun before being reacquired, just as the main parachute successfully deployed. Shaken, Not Stirred landed on the edge of the soft sod without damage. Celebrate Shaken, Not Stirred’s 20th flight here.

I sat back and enjoyed the beautiful day and munched on a 2-day old Tuna Fish sandwich that was on special at 7/11. I cleaned my motors, videoed some other flights, and discussed dream rocketry projects with other rocketeers. Before I knew it, it was 06:45 PM and the launch was over. I reluctantly got in the car and started my solo trek home. It was a perfect rocket flying day and I arrived home with no repairs.

The Construction phase of the Mach Factor 2 project is complete. Review the complete Mach Factor 2 build project here. The maiden flight is expected to be at Red Glare VII, weather permitting of course. Toni’s Level 1 project continued at a snail’s pace due to other obligations but is still expected to be completed in time for her level 1 attempt at Red Glare VII. Follow Toni's progress here. Until next launch . . .