The next SEARS monthly launch is January 10th in Samson, AL. The events are:
       General: Anything but a Chute day.
       Youth: Make a colorful streamer and fly in a rocket
       Challenge: Fly a helicopter rocket
       Advanced: Fly a monocopter rocket

All event flights are on a green flight card. We will draw a green card at random for a pick from the prize pool. Note Art Applewhite is a good source for many rockets that don’t require chutes including his new monocopter kits. I am going to try out his Helix monocopter. I’ll bring a launch pad for his style of monocopters. Also note Apogee and Fliskits have helicopters. Oh yes any glider would work also.  The Edmound Glider Kits are good and available from JonRocket. So you have many options this month.

Greg

Tom Rackers loading his Big Birdie. Also notice the Estes Skywinder and Hefty Saucer rockets on the pad.

Tripoli Central Alabama is hosting a research launch on January 3rd beginning at 9am. This launch is open to all Tripoli members to fly commercial motors, and L2 certified to fly research motors. Please come out and enjoy some homemade motors with us and possibly some catos…. We will collect a $10 range fee for this launch to pay for our renewal. We will also hold prefect elections. Chris’ Rocket supplies will be there to supply commercial stuff for you.
 
Thanks
Chris Short

The next SEARS monthly launch is December 6th in Samson, AL. The event is Drag Race Day. A drag race is two or more rockets launched simultaneously. Challenge anyone to a drag race. Use a green flight card for the drag race so we can draw the winner. It is nice when the rockets and motors are matched to make it fair. But not required. Anyhow I don’t know how you score a drag race but it is fun anyway. We will be also having a Almost Anything Goes Drag Race on the Mass Launcher. Launch any rocket that will fit and fly nicely on our short 1/8 inch rods. Load them up! As always Christmas themed rockets are encouraged for the December Launch. So bring your creation.

Greg
 

Santa Rocket Drag Race

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The November 1st 2008 SEARS launch proved to be an excellent day for flying rockets. The sky was cloudless and temps around 70 in the PM with a light breeze. The event was Cluster Day. Not sure how many we had yet. Russ Roberts won the event. He picked out an Fliskit Proconsul (Like a Drake) from the prize pool.

Dave Brassell of Panama City made a sucessful Level 1 cert on his LOC Bullet four inch rocket. The rocket flew on a Aerotech H148 redline motor. Congrats Dave!

Roy Houchin of Shorter, Alabama has joined SEARS. Roy is a NAR member. He flew his Estes Skywinder at the launch. Roy is the historian for the ARCAS sounding rocket and has a lot of the hardware. Maybe we can do some type of ARCAS club project.

John Hansel flew his Old Blue which is a four inch Performance Rocketry Intimidator (I think) an a K motor. It went over 6000 feet and landed off the field at the creek. It was drapped across several trees and required chain saw recovery.

Bob Stetson flew his Apogee Aspire on an Apogee F10-8. This combination sims out to a mile high. Apparently the shock cord frayed. Bob Stetson recovered the nosecone and Rick Gutknecht found the rocket body later.

We were glad to have Doug Harrell who teaches Science in Bristol FL attend. He brought his wife and some members of the Liberty County High School Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) team.

Rick Gutknecht and Arron Gutknecht of Panama City attended. Rick flew his Halverson Wicked Winnie and Arron an Guardian Estes rocket with a nice paint job. 

Bob Mullins flew his “Flame On” six inch Rocket on an AMW L1800. It was great boost. The main did not come out but the rocket had no damage, Thanks to Bob for bringing his EZ-GO rocket cart. It got a real work out.

Of course this is just a snippet of the activity at the field, Thanks for a great launch day! Pictures can be seen at http://sears572.com/gallery/2008-11-01 and videos at http://sears572.com/gallery/2008-11-01Vids

Greg Lane

SEARS President

Dave Brassell and his LOC Bullet.

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Tripoli Central Alabama is hosting a research launch on Oct 25 at the Samson Site. The launch will begin at 10Am and go until dark. Tripoli research rules will be used. Tripoli insurance is also going to be used. All members who are 18 years old and a tripoli member are welcome to come fly commercial motors. If you are L2 certified, you may also fly homemade motors. We will have 3 pads and controlers. If you plan to fly estes rockets, you need to bring your own launch equipment. Spectators are allowed to attend, but cannot be in the rocket range for any reason. Chris’s Rocket Supplies will be on site, and has a 30%off retail sale running at this launch only. For more reserch information, check out www.tripoli.org or give Chris Short a call at 850-554-6531. We have L1, L2 and a L3 cert attempt going on. Hope to see people there.

Note: The next monthly SEARS launch is Nov 1st.

Chris Short’s Research L Sparky

A witches broom flies solo and a tombstone on the pad.

The weather was hot but not too humid with light winds the seemed to blow from just about every direction at some time or another.

 Alexa Stetson won the odd rocket contest with her Decaffinator.

We had 13 paying members/families, there were new faces ( Dr. Roy and others) and some old faces (Bill Bosley, John Kegans).

A safe and good time was had by all.

The album for the Oct 4th SEARS Launch is at

http://sears572.com/gallery/2008-10-04

and videos at

http://sears572.com/gallery/2008-10-04Vids
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All,

The next SEARS launch is October 4th in Samson, AL. The event is Odd Rockets. Any Halloween themed rocket is welcome. See pictures below. Why not take advantage on the plethora of Halloween items in the stores. Of course keep it safe and stable!

Thanks,

Greg

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Back to School means back to Rocketry! 
 
Middle and High School Students are encouraged to attend the Sept 6th launch. Now is the time to form Team America Rocketry Challenge Teams. The 2009 TARC Rules are now posted at http://www.rocketcontest.org/pdf/2009_rules.pdf!  Get started early — Registration begins on September 3rd!
 
The next SEARS launch is September 6th in Samson, AL. The event is Scale Day. Use a green flight card for any scale model of a space or military rocket and you will entered for a draw from the prize pool. 
  
Cliff Oliver plans to fly his Temporary Insanity rocket on an M motor. Cliff certifed L3 on this rocket at the Florida Winter Nationals in February 2008.

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The July 12th launch was SUPER!
 
Jon Ward had a successful Tripoli Level 3 Certification. His rocket Red Robin Fireball flew on an Aerotech M1297 to 6166 feet. This was the first L3 cert flight at SEARS. Chris Short is now a Tripoli Tap Member.
 
There were three Level 1 Certifications. Rob Wilson flew his “Emily Grace” on an H123,  Ricky Nikolson  flew his PML Callisto on a H148.  and Richard Crews flew his Little Dog on a H123. Congrats to all!  
There were 23 glider flights. Daymon Campbell won the draw from the prize pool. He picked an Estes Eliminator. Alexa Stetson won the Glider duration with a 90 second flight. Her pick from the prize pool was a Quest Bright Hawk.
 
There we several Georgia Tech fliers. Lelia and Demetri had unsuccessful L2 certs but they will succeed next time. Both Lelia and Demetri are aerospace majors and will be on the Georgia Tech USLI team next year.
 
We were spared from the forecasted thundershowers until 4 o’clock. There was one storm threatening but it only cooled the air which was a relief. Another relief was the SnoCone Stand run by Alexa Stetson. I forgot how good SnoCones were. Thanks Alexa!
 
I had requested more launch help. The response was great and appreciated. By the way, Russ Roberts actually likes being LCO and does a great job.

There are pictures and videos in our gallery. 

We enjoyed having John and Sherry Stein back. John treated us to a flight of his R/C Centurian. Jack Kale came for a visit. He is being treated for cancer so keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
 
We will not have an August launch. So build some rockets in the air conditioning. See you on Sept 6th when the event is Scale Rocket Day. Thanks all for making the July Launch a great one!
 
Greg Lane,
S.E.A.R.S. President

Demetri’s skidmark launch

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Multi-Stage Day - June 7th  2008

Use a green flight card for any multi-stage rocket and you will entered for a draw from the prize pool.

SAFETY NOTE: Every multi-stage rocket is a HEADS-UP Flight. So keep your eyes on the rocket and remember the booster will be descending separate from the sustainer.

Chris Short’s Two Stage HPR Rocket

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