Launch Report

April 15, 2000
Billings, MT

Temp: 26 to 40
Wind: 5 to 10 mph
Where: BLM land at 17 mile marker

Flights in order
Rocket Motor
Estes Big Bertha C6-5
Aerotech Arcas G64-7W
Nike Smoke J415-W
PML Thunder 'N' Lightning H242-T
Aerotech Arreaux G33-7J
Aerotech Arcas H180-10W

Highlights
Cold, warmed up a little, and by the end of the launch we had blue sky. Joined by several other rocketeers, our largest crowd ever. My first launch was the Big Bertha on a C6-5 for a wind and cloud ceiling check. It flew fine, well below the clouds. Next was the Arcas on a G64-7W for a nice flight. Then I flew the Nike Smoke on a J415-W for a nice flight to about 3500 feet, but I was unable to get the data from the AltAcc. I was going to use a J570-W but I had forgot my adapter. My next launch was the first flight of the upper stage of the Thunder 'N' Lightning on a H242-T. It flew well and the dual deployment worked as planned. Next was the Arreaux on a G33-7J, followed by the Arcas on a H180-10W. A good day and I actually didn't break anything.

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