Southern Arizona Rocketry Associ

Section #545

Prefecture #93

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November Launch Report

The SARA monthly sport launch for November was held on Sunday the 21st at the TIMPA site with an FAA waiver in effect. Unfortunately, while the temperature was nice, the wind was always at least brisk and was often harder than that, with much blowing sand and tumbleweeds. After spending about 2 hours of frustration, waiting, with only a few low powered flights accomplished, the launch was officially cancelled.

Seven people did manage to make 9 flights---all clean or nominal except for one rocket hung on a rod because of the increased friction from wind pressure. Two people made 2 flights each and the others each had a single flight.

The new hybrid launch system was out at the field and its principles of operation demonstrated, it will soon be ready for use. Thanks are due the people who helped bring about this added launch capability.

Many people helped set up and tear down the range and waited patiently for the conditions to improve, but unfortunately they did not.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

1/2 A	3
A	1
B	4
C	1

October Launch Report

SARA held it monthly sport launch on Saturday October 16, 2004 at the TIMPA site with an FAA waiver in effect. Conditions were very nice with only a moderate breeze, few clouds, few aircraft holds and warm pleasant temperatures.

This was a very busy launch with 38 fliers making 127 flights of which 109 (86 %) were clean. There were 8 separations (the most frequent mode of failure as usual), 3 tangled recovery devices, 2 lawn darts, 2 no chute deployment, and one each: CATO, shred and stuck on rod. The two most active fliers each made 9 flights, other activity was (#flights each-# fliers): 8-1, 7-3, 6-1, 5-4, 4-5, 3-3, 2-6, and 1-13.

There were several notable flights including: 3 2-stage flights and a flight that was both clustered and staged. A flight of a 3 stage classic, the Estes 'Farside' was made. These complex rockets all had successful flights. Three halloween theme rockets were flown: a ghost, a pumpkin and a roc o lantern.

This was the second busiest launch during the 5 years that I have records. There were many visitors including several young people from school and activity groups, hopefully they all enjoyed themselves and will become active, regular participants in SARA and our launches.

Scott from Just Rockets was at the field with his store to support our launch; hopefully, we can supply him with enough business to make his trips worthwhile. Scott's effort is very much appreciated.

Once again thanks are due to all those who helped with the range. These launches could not take place without this volunteer participation.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

1/2 A	2
A	24
B	26
C	45
D	21
E	7
F	3
Other	7

September Launch Report

SARA held its monthly sport launch on Sunday September 19, 2004 at the TIMPA site with a FAA waiver to 4500 feet AGL in effect. The turnout was fairly low, probably because of the previous day's rain and the cloudy skies. The conditions were actually very good with clearing skies, low temperatures and winds. The ground was just damp keeping the dust level down to zero. There were some holds for proximate aircraft, but no worse than the usual.

There were 52 flights made by 15 fliers, 40 (77%) of the flights were clean; 5 separations, 3 tangled recovery devices, 2 lawn darts, 1 CATO and 1 no chute comprised the failures. The most active flier made 9 flights, other activity was (# flights-# fliers): 7-1, 5-2, 4-1, 3-5, 2-2, and 1-3.

There were 2 flights using motor clusters, both were successful. There was an unfortunate spectacular CATO in a nice 'Spaceman' that resulted in considerable 'injury' to the rocket. A now rare full stack Estes space shuttle had a very nice flight.

Once again thanks are due to all who helped with the range.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

1/2 A	3
A	5
B	6
C	25
D	4
E	5
Other	7

August Launch Report

SARA held its monthly sport launch at the TIMPA site on August 21, 2004 with an FAA waiver to 4500 feet AGL in effect. The weather was nearly perfect, even if a little on the warm side. There was almost no wind and only a few high clouds. There were the usual holds for proximate flying aircraft as to be expected on such a nice day.

Twenty two (22) people took advantage of the launch to make 86 flights of which 71 (83%) were clean. There were 3 separations, 3 tangled recovery devices, 2 CATO, 2 lawn darts, 2 no-ejection (resulting is considerable airframe damage), and 1 each: hung on rod, partial deploy of a glider wing and unstable flight. The most active flier made 11 flights and other activity was (#flights-# fliers): 8-1, 7-1, 5-4, 4-4, 3-4, 2-5 and 1-2.

There were 3 flights of rockets with a motor cluster (one each with 2, 4, and 6 motors), all were successful and very nice. There were 2 successful 2-stage flights.

Once again thanks are due to all who helped with the range..

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

A	10
B	9
C	36
D	18
E	10
F	1
Other	13

June Launch Report

The June 2004 sport launch was held at the TIMPA site on Saturday the 19th with a FAA waiver in effect. It was a clear hot day with generally good conditions; however, the wind came up with pretty brisk gusts and then rather steady at 20+ mph causing the launch to be stopped about a half hour prior to scheduled range closure. There were the usual holds for close flying aircraft.

There was a nice crowd with 32 fliers making 86 flights of which 71 (83%) were nominal. There were 6 separations, 2 CATO, and one each: early ejection, no ejection, no deploy, no glide, unstable flight, kicked motor and tangled recovery device. One two-stage flight was made successfully, but an attempt of a 3-motor cluster flight was terminated with a CATO. The most active flier made 9 flights, other activity was (# flights each-# fliers): 6-1, 5-4, 4-1, 3-4, 2-14, and 1-7.

Quite a large number of visitors, both adults and children, were at the launch. We welcome them and hope that all had a good time and will return. Thanks are due to all who helped with the range set-up, operation and teardown.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

1/2 A	2
A	10
B	22
C	35
D	8
E	4
F	3
Other	5

May Launch Report

The Southern Arizona Rocketry Association, SARA, held its monthly sport launch on Sunday, May 16, 2004 at the TIMPA site with a FAA waiver in effect. The weather conditions were excellent although a little hot by the end of the launch. The sky was nearly clear with only a few high thin clouds and the winds were minimal except for a few thermals near Noon.

Very few people took advantage of the excellent conditions. Twelve (12) people made 29 flights of which 22 (76%, not our best by a lot) were clean. There were 5 separations, one tangled parachute and one kicked motor. The most active flier made 7 flights and the other activity was (# flights-# fliers): 4-1, 3-3, 2-2, and 1-5. There were no flights attempted using staging or motor clustering.

Scott of Just Rockets was in attendance and we really appreciate his coming to support the launch. Once again thanks is due to all who helped with the range, these launches could not happen without you.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

1/4 A	1
A	1
B	4
C	9
D	1
E	2
F	3
Other	8

April Launch Report

"It was deja vu, all over again.", to paraphrase a well known baseball player.

IT WAS WINDY!!

The April 17, 2004 SARA Sport launch was cancelled at the field by the range officers. It was very windy and the winds were predicted to increase as the day went on.

Some field work was accomplished and the 'road' gate in the fence to the field North of the range was wired permanently closed; it had been left open (most probably nothing to do with SARA) several times in recent weeks-months and cattle were getting onto the TIMPA-SARA field and creating a mess as well doing as some damage.

I hope this is the end of the missed launches. As far back as I can recall

2 missed events is the most we have had in any one year and a record that I wish to have stand a very long time.

March Launch Report

IT WAS WINDY!!

The March 21, 2004 SARA Sport launch was cancelled at the field by the range officers. It was very windy with winds never dropping below 12- 15 mph and gusts to 45+ mph, with an average of over 20 mph during
the 2 and a half hours I was there. Winds were predicted to increase
as the day went on.

Thanks mostly to the efforts of Doug, Tony and Lupe the field now has
a 'real' gate connecting the launch site with the field to the North.

Jerry King
SARA Statistician

February Launch Report

SARA held its second sport launch of 2004 at the TIMPA site on Saturday February 21st with a FAA waiver in effect. It was a beautiful and very pleasant day, although the wind did come up after noon.

Twenty five (25) people took advantage of the launch to make 81 flights of which 63 (78%) were clean. This is level of performance is somewhat below our usual standard. There were 5 separations, 3 tangled recovery devices, 2 unstable-flights, 2 no-deployment, 2 lost-rockets with flights OOS (out of sight) and 1 each; CATO, 'cruise missile', hung on rod and no flight result indicated. The most active flier made 9 flights and other activity was (#flights each-# fliers): 6-1, 5-4, 4-4, 3-5, 2-5, and 1-5.

There were 3 staged-flight attempts with 2 successful and 3 cluster-flights with 2 successful. There were 2 TARC flights made, one successful and one with failure of one cluster-motor to light resulting in a 'cruise missile' flight profile.

Once again thanks are due to all who helped with range set up, operations and tear down. The launches would not be possible without you.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch

1/4 A	1
1/2 A	4
A	5
B	5
C	29
D	15
E	11
F	6

and 11 other flights.

January Launch Report

The first SARA launch of 2004 was held at the TIMPA site on Jan. 18th. A FAA waiver to 4500 feet AGL was in effect. The weather was a bit cool and breezy during set-up, but it soon became a very nice day for flying rockets.

Twenty five (25) people took advantage of the day to launch 84 rockets of which 68 (81%) were clean nominal flights. There were 5 tangled recovery devices, 3 separations, 2 lawn darts, and 1 each: shred, early ejection, CATO, kicked motor, no glide, and no main deploy. Two people made 8 flights each for a tie for the most active rocketeer, the other activity was (# flights each-# fliers): 7-2, 6-2, 5-2, 4-2, 3-2, 2-5, and 1-8.

There were several notable flights including the first flight of a TARC (Team America Rocket Challenge) 2-stage, dual egg-loft rocket with a goal altitude of 1250 feet exactly (by on board altimeter). The staging and flight were perfect, however the egg capsule and chute caught a thermal and was not recovered. There were 3 cluster 3-motor flights and a 2-stage flight that were all successful except that in two of the cluster rocket flights only 2 of the 3 motors ignited. There was a very nice first flight of a 'K-mart special' cat toy saucer rocket.

Once again thanks are due to all of those who helped with the range. Your efforts are appreciated.

Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch