Launch Report

April 11, 1999
Billings, MT

Temp: 35 to 65
Wind: 5 mph initially, picked up to about 10 mph
Where: BLM land at 17 mile marker

Flights in order
Rocket Motor
Big Bertha 3 (Astron Ranger) C6-7
Estes Alpha III C6-5
Aerotech Arcas G64-7W
LOC Hi-Tech H45 H123-W
Vaughn Bros. Javelin 4.0 J460-T
PML Bull Puppy I161-10W
Estes Alpha III C6-5
Estes Silver Comet (#2) G64-7W
Aerotech Mustang E28-7T
Vaughn Bros. Javelin 4.0 J275-W
Aerotech Mustang E28-7T
Aerotech Arcas H180-10W

Highlights
The April 10th launch was cancelled due to 25mph winds, mud, and cold. Todays weather was beautiful, 5 to 10mph winds, warming up to high 60s. This was the first launch of Tripoli Montana, and I launched with Paul and Dan Mazel, Pat DeWitt, and Andy Meteer. We flew for 8 hours, and had an great time. After helping my son Grant launch his Flying Saucer, I first flew my Big Bertha 3 on a C6-7 cluster. Only two motors lit, and the clip whip hung from the ignitor on the unlit motor, making for an interesting flight. The chute did deploy but it still broke one fin in half. My daughter Leah helped me launch the Alpha for a nominal flight. Next was the Arcas on a G64-7W for a nice flight. Then I launched the Hi-Tech on a H123-W. It had a nice flight except for an "Estes dent" on the payload tube, and the AltAcc reported 3388 feet. The Javelin was next on a J460-T motor, and dual deployment worked. The IA-X96 reported 3663 feet, 10.4 G's and 376 max MPH. I dusted off the PML BullPuppy and flew it on an I161-10W. It headed towards the southeast making for a long walk. Leah and I then flew the Alpha again on another C6-5. Next was Grant's Silver Comet #2 on its maiden flight with a G64-7W for a nice flight. I then flew the Mustang on an E28-7T for a nominal flight. I prepped the Javelin again and launched it on a J275-W for another good flight. Dual deployment worked as planned, and the IA-X96 reported 3646 feet, 7.9 G's and 349 max MPH. I flew the Mustang again on another E28-7T. My last flight was the Arcas on a H180-10W for another nice flight.

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