6:59 PM
Saturday, September 19, 2020 (PDT)
Sunset in Gerlach, NV
William Kellermann
wtkjd@xxxxxx
On Apr 3, 2020, at 3:43 PM, Jim Green (Redacted sender jimcgreen for DMARC)
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It would have to be just before the sun sets. Our limit is J for night
launches.
Jim
On Friday, April 3, 2020, 3:16:30 PM PDT, Wilson Alness <wa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
That flight looks WAY cool – lovely photos and backstory, thanks Ross for
sharing! Do you have video?
Hey Jim, do I have to bribe you with AP and beer/other beverage of your
choice to let me fly an L at night? ;) Or we could compromise with “at dusk
just before the sun sets”…
Wilson Alness
P: 503-575-7622
From: aeropac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <aeropac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Jim Green
Sent: Friday, April 3, 2020 11:52 AM
To: aeropac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AeroPAC Chat] Re: Get Your Night Launch Rockets Ready!
I remember that XPRS launch. We thought that motor would never light. It was
pretty charred up from the previous igniters but it did get lit.
Jim
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, 9:28:21 PM PDT, rohmen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<rohmen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
100917 - XPRS 2010 - I flew Enterprise 98 on Saturday evening, on an Aerotech
demo motor - an L1365 Metalstorm, in the 75/5120 case.
To start with, I didn't have this case, so I had to borrow it from Jack
(thanks!!).
Next, I didn't have an adapter, and the clamp-on type didn't fit with my
Slimline retainer, so I had to buy a 98-to-75 adapter, build it, and spend 2
hours sanding it to fit.
When it finally fit, I assembled the rest of the rocket (Walston, safety
strap, igniters, and waited for dusk. Karl asked me to fly at 6:10pm - a
little early, but no problem.
Loaded on the rack, and inserted a standard igniter - e-match and Blue
Thunder slug. 5-4-3-2-1-no light. Burned the e-match, but didn't light the
Blue Thunder (it wasn't IN the slug - just next to it.) Nuts.
Jim G came out with another igniter. 5-4-3-2-1-no light. His cannon fuse
igniter didn't do the trick.
I put a Super Fat Boy in and tried again. 5-4-3-2-1-no light. The system
didn't light the Quickburst igniter. This is getting irritating!
I drove back to camp. James M gave me a thermite igniter. I made another
(correct) e-match-in-the-slug igniter. Jim G gave me a (FAT) thermite
igniter and jumped in the truck to go out. It's almost dark. We put in the
new igniter and drove off a safe distance (the 7th time I've approached or
left the pad with my car.)
Darryl P asked Jim: "How fast does this light?"
Jim G (in a self-deprecating understatement): "Pretty well instantaneously..."
No sooner had we stopped than the LCO did the countdown and hit the button.
THIS time, the big orange rocket LEAPED off the pad, and soared into the sky
on a trail of black smoke and sparks. Straight up, until I couldn't see it
anymore.
The Walston says the drogue is out, and it's falling. Observers say the
same. It lands, and goes silent. We drive in the vector, and Darryl says he
sees something. I get a faint on the Walston, and drive closer. Darryl
spots the 'chute and we drive to it. No damage, and 12,097 feet on the
altimeter. An awesome flight.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Wilson Alness
Sent: Mar 29, 2020 5:58 PM
To: "aeropac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx"
Subject: [AeroPAC Chat] Re: Get Your Night Launch Rockets Ready!
One of the most spectacular night flights I can ever think of was about a
decade ago, out in Brothers at one of the early NXRS launches. Around 3
minutes before the waiver closed on Friday night, the button was pushed on an
EX sparky L-something in a big 4” rocket – hoots and hollers were heard as
the thing slowly climbed to roughly 8K. We could see the massive strobe
lights the entire launch, and figured that motor was visible from outer
space…good times.
I’m checking out AeroPac’s calendar, and am oddly NOT seeing any immediate
conflicts for XPRS weekend – might just have to count me in for this one. ;)
Cheers, WILSON
Wilson Alness
wa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ǀ www.wilsonalness.com
PO Box 8246 ǀ Portland OR 97207
Main: 503-575-7622
From: aeropac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <aeropac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Jonathan DuBose
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2020 1:08 PM
To: AeroPac Members <aeropac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AeroPAC Chat] Get Your Night Launch Rockets Ready!
Hello AEROPACERs,
For those of you who remember the spectacular night launch by ROC at last
year's XPRS and thought it was pretty cool...here is you chance to be part of
AEROPAC's reply.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIWtEUQvINc&feature=youtu.be ;(Thanks Tim
Robinson!)
So....
- If you are at least a Level 2 certified flier
- Have a 38mm or 54mm night launch rocket (or one that can be converted)
- Your rocket has electronic deployment (only apogee needed)
- Want to be part of something really cool
- Will be at XPRS this year on Saturday night
- Willing to fly an ass kicking EX sparky special propellant motor....
Start getting your rocket ready to fly now or build a new one while you
probably have some spare time.
Demo flights at MUDROCK (or AERONAUT)
More details to follow soon.
AeroPAC discussion list --------------- If you need to adjust your membership
settings please use the following link https://www.freelists.org/list/aeropac
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