Tripoli South Florida

Next Launch Sunday September 19, 2010

John — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:09:10 +0000

August events pushed the regular launch a couple weeks back but September is scheduled right on time, only a couple of weeks away now. I was a bit disappointed with myself at this launch because I have this luck that if I rely on it, it vaporizes like a mirage. The day started nearly calm with plenty of pretty blue sky overhead, no dust and looked like a good day for an easy launch.

I was happy that I had replaced the kosdon 29mm casing that disappeared in flight during a previous launch. Performance hobbies had one and I got it and a couple of loads for just abut $100. Then Saturday night I busied myself with other things instead of getting my stuff together. It’s new, its all there, I’ll assemble it out on the field, yeh, that’s the ticket… I thought.

Well when I arrived and started to put it together I found that I forgot the snap rings back in the garage and it didn’t really matter because the delay o-rings happen to be the wrong size for the forward closure. So what should have been a couple of H255 quick shots fizzled out. That’s what happens when I plan on in-field engineering.

Tom flew one of his boost gliders and lost one that grazed the top of the slough. The insects were impenetrable and Tom came out from the high grass speckled with bites. The glider couldn’t be found and looked to be another sacrifice to the field trolls. Today Martin wrote to me that the glider has been found and is safe.

But you know what, it was a good day anyways because the conversation and the folks there make it great to get out and see them. Have a great labor day. I promise to be more ready on the 19th

AUGUST LAUNCH for the 29th

John — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:35:19 +0000

Your humble prefect has plans for August 15, his birthday, and so would like to postpone the launch until August 29th two weeks hence.

July’s launch was really nice but modestly attended, summer months in the heat typically are, but it wasn’t that hot an a few misty threats of showers seemed to keep things cooler.

Martin built a stout looking pad and brought it out for trials. It worked good but needs a couple of refinements. My camera battery was dead so there aren’t any pictures this time around. If your jonesing for some rocket video there are replays of the LDRS show on Discovery channel website HERE

We have some really nice rocket recruitment posters provided by TRIPOLI for hanging in shop windows. If someone wants one of these to take to their local, let me know and I’ll bring ‘em out to the launch.

Next Launch July 18

John — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:33:01 +0000

Not too surprisingly, Fathers Day at the rocket field wasn’t busy at all. We have a new Member that joined this month, Wayne P. He came up from the keys to see the rockets fly and the biggest one off was his! A fins and a nosecone rocket kind of thing that flew great in spite of some last minute modifications.
Also, Mike brought out a miniature camera that mounts onto an airframe bracket so it can go on any rocket and includes an integrated usb to plug it right in and download the video files immediately. Super cool – we’re waiting for the video to be emailed any day

It was a beautiful day at any rate.

Launch Scheduled for June 20

John — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:25:09 +0000

It has been about a month since the last launch and it will be time to do it again on Father’s day.
If you haven’t been outdoors, summer is here. The mornings start out at 89 F and 80% humidity and go up from there. There will be mirages out on the sand an hopefully lots of blue in the sky.

I predict the weather will be blazing sun and afternoon showers so bring something really cool!

April Showers Mean May Flyers

John — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:16:51 +0000

March had a nice but overcast day we had 3 cert 1 flights including Martin, Clay and Chris in the Level ! group.
Later, Don’s spectacular 2 stager broke through the cloud barrier, let’s do those on sunny days from now on. Go to the links to see the videos on my picasa page.

April 18th was a wash out. After looking at the weather radar there didn’t seem to be a good reason to go. The map below shows rain all over the field for a very soggy day down south.

From 2010

Lets come back in May

Pics from the Feb 28 launch

John — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:03:16 +0000

Click HERE and and it will take you to the picasa page where some of these pics are videos. See Don’s Awesome Airstart and his loud sparky M take flight. Beautiful stuff! Thanks Big D.

February Launch report

John — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:39:43 +0000

The last day of February was cold and windy but as clear and blue as it could be without a cloud in the sky all day. later the wind calmed down to a nice 5 knots

Congratulations to Members Mike I and Ray R for successful Level 1 cert launchs.

Don B had several spectacular launches including a redline 2 stager and a sparky cesaroni 54mm. I got video and will be posting one of these days.

It was nice to see both new and familiar faces out on the field, welcome back Bob C. Bob went with us to to Orangeburg, SC back in 2000 and helped with Deville’s 3M cluster Freedom ‘Fiter.

Next launch is scheduled for March 28

LAUNCH Scheduled February 28th

John — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:45:56 +0000

A conflict in schedule for our regular weekends has the launch moved back a week.

Launch December 20

John — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:47:17 +0000

Happy Holidays.

The third Sunday falls on Dec. 20. This’ll be the last launch of the year for the group.
We will be collecting annual dues for members in January and I will try to make up a roster of the members so I’ll probably be emailing for more info from some folks. In the mean time I hope you’ll enjoy this video of our October Launch
Thanks to Rey we have some pictures of the November experience. I really like that picture of Don with his 2 stage on the mega pad. See the link to his site on the left.

Next Launch November 15th

John — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:14:29 +0000

There sure has been a lot of enthusiasm for flying rockets lately! Such enthusiasm they can’t get enough in once a month. I understand that launches are taking place about every other week; and certifications are happening monthly. It is a little alarming actually, how fast people are diving into the alphabet race even to the point of skipping letters so it seems. Actually, I’m glad to see others jumping in so quickly because the club needs new people with excitement in their approach.

Even though we have a monthly launch other launches are being held. There are research launches that by Tripoli rules are not supposed to be held on the same calendar day as a commercial motor launch. Then there are the fun launches. We have approval from Mr Strano to use the land but it is important to respect the rules of the field and keep it clean. Both Paul and Jose C have been given copies of the waiver so these launches can be hi-power legit by the FAA.

This coming launch I plan to get there early and leave early because my family is having a get together sort of an early Thanksgiving. So If there are certs that need signing off Let’s have them ready. Tom – I have a 38mm H if you want to use it.

Lastly, although it isn’t obvious in the rule book, ONLY members over 18 can be certified by Tripoli.