Launch Report

August 4, 1997
Billings, MT

Temp: low 80s
Wind: Breezy, some clouds
Where: BLM land at 17 mile marker

Flights in order
RocketMotor
Estes AstrocamC6-3
Aerotech MirageG80-4T
Aerotech MustangE16-7W
Shadow #2G64-7W
Aerotech CheetahF40-10W
Shadow #2G64-7W
Shadow #2G64-7W
Maniacal (Maniac with 29mm motor)F12-5J
Aerotech InitiatorE18-4W
Aerotech InitiatorE18-4W
Aerotech InitiatorF39-6T
Aerotech InitiatorF40-7W
Shadow #2G80-4T
Aerotech CheetahF39-6T
Aerotech CheetahE18-7W

Highlights
The Mirage had a nice flight on a G80-4T. Then came the Mustang on its maiden vayage. It left the rod at about a 45 degree angle, so it didn't go very high and therefore the delay was too long. It pranged and everything in front of the motor mount was destroyed. The Shadow had a nice flight without a payload. The second Shadow flight had the IA-X96 altimeter in the payload section, and it reported 8.7 Gs, 255 mph, and 1560 feet. I think the numbers are a little low due to the wind. The next Shadow flight looked good, but the IA-X96 had garbage data. Not sure what went wrong there. The Initiator flew on four straight flights, and broke another fin - in the same place as the first fin had broken. Repaired later with epoxy. The Shadow flew again, and the IA-X96 reported 8.3 Gs, 248 mph, and 1535 feet on the G80-4T (SU).