[roc-chat] L3 Cert Flight

From: Chris J Kobel <chris.j.kobel@xxxxxxxx>
To: "roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2018 20:26:42 +0000

George,

One of the “things to remember” on RocketHunter transmitters, 10 wraps of
electrical tape minimum onto the shock cord (somebody’s bad experience).
Thinking of L3 made me recall my personal experience 10 short years ago…

[cid:image002.jpg@01D3F299.AE1B2910]

Or an alternate title might be “How many ROC members does it take to recover a
rocket?”  But I’m getting ahead of myself….

I flew my LOC Magnum-based Level 3 project “Blaze of Glory” Friday the 13th
around 8:35am.  In my nervousness and haste to fly before the W showed up, I
unfortunately launched right as Ken Brown was pulling onto the lakebed, missing
out on his gorgeous liftoff photos.  Steve Seeright did manage, however, to
shoot some nice video of the flight.  Anyways, with Dok and Kurt watching, the
Aerotech M1297 pushed the Magnum from the dead calm around Pad 40 up straight
and true to 9932’ according to the onboard PerfectFlite and to a successful
apogee deploy.  However, the stillness on the ground belied the high altitude
breeze from the east and the quickly-descending Magnum drifted toward the west
end of the lakebed.  The main successfully deploy at 1300’ and, through
binoculars, I saw the Magnum settle down gently about 500 yards into the
foliage to the west, just short of power lines.

Matt Campbell, who was following the flight with his Rocket Hunter receiver
pulled up in his pickup and we drove out to the west edge into the bushes….and
got stuck.  Oh well, we’ll get the rocket first and get unstuck later.
Thankfully, with the RH on board and Matt’s vast expertise using the equipment,
we easily zeroed in on the pristine looking rocket, though it was only in sight
when we were within 50 yards, even with the bright red-orange paint job and the
10’ orange chute.   Thank you, Rocket Hunter!  (Courtesy of Rich Silva)  We
called back to my wife for help on my FRS radio as we carried the rocket back
to Matt’s truck, being ever so aware of the rattlesnakes about and the dreaded
Mojave Greens.  (I wondered why Matt made me walk first)  Dok drove up in Andy
T’s truck to help us out… and proceeded to get stuck.  Then Wedge showed up, on
foot no less, having found his rocket with another RH.  (He was determined not
to lose another Goblin on the lakebed.)  We got Dok’s truck unstuck as Wedge
called back on his ROC radio for water and more tow ropes.

A friend of mine drove out in his Jeep to help us…and proceed to separate one
of his tires from the rim as he drove through a ditch from the south.  Wedge
called back for more help and Gatorade.   I started to help change the tire on
Mike’s Jeep, as Matt laid out towlines and Dok was dodging snakes and Wedge was
calling in for a samwich.  Finally Steve and Andy T. showed up in a 4WD truck
as Wedge was about to call in for air support.  We got Dok’s truck on the road
with the rocket in back, the tire changed on the Jeep, and Matt’s truck unstuck
but somehow misplaced my FRS radio in the process.  Total time:  one hour and
ten minutes to recover from a 10 minute flight.

To answer the original question, how many ROC members does it take to recover a
rocket?  At least 7, if some of them are BOD members.  (Richard, were you out
there too?  Did I miss anybody else who helped?) To paraphrase a title, “it
takes a rocket club to certify Level 3”.   “Thanks for all your help, guys, I
couldn’t have done it without you!”

Chris Kobel
TRA Level 3 !!!!!

Follow-Ups:
- [roc-chat] Re: L3 Cert Flight
  - From: Kenneth Brown

[roc-chat] L3 Cert Flight

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