Launch Report for Sunday, May 6th, 2001

With my little Quest Launch Controller batteries dying after only two flights yesterday, I came back today armed with my NCR Command Control launch controller for my last chance to break my personal record for the most rocket power used in a single year that I set last year as well as my last chance to reach Flight #500 before the end of the year.

The winds were quite light today being about 5 km/h coming in from the west with a temperature of -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees F).  It was cold, but still warmer than yesterday!

As launch equipment goes, I brought my third Estes Porta Pad launch pad, NCR Command Control launch controller, and of course my camcorder to record every flight and to produce the images you see on this page.

Flight 482, 1st flight this year
Estes Challenger 1 01 on an Estes A8-3 for its 12th flight

My very first rocket, the Estes Challenger 1 01 (my first of two) opened the flying season with my first flight of the year 2001.

Flight 477, 128th flight this year
Estes Heatseeker 02 on an Estes A8-3 for its 1st flight

My second Estes Heatseeker went up for its first flight, replacing the one that I lost on July 7th, 2000 on its third flight.  With extra weight in the nose, this one flew straight and true instead of the severe weathercocking that caused me to lose my first one five months ago..

Flight 478, 129th flight this year
Estes Heatseeker 02 on an Estes B4-4 for its 2nd flight

This flight of my modified Heatseeker would be the real test since this flight was going to be on the same one that I lost the first one on.  Once again, Heatseeker 02 flew perfectly straight although now the winds were starting to pick up a bit and it landed 218 feet south of the pad.

Flight 479, 130th flight this year
Estes Airwalker 02 on an Estes B4-4 for its 1st flight

My second Airwalker went up for its first flight today.  This one was originally part of a starter kit and it was supposed to go up for auction, but I decided that I wanted another Airwalker, so... The flight turned out perfect although the drift was quite long again except that this time, it landed 209 feet north of the pad since I over compensated for the wind.

Flight 480, 131st flight this year
Estes Maniac on an Estes C6-3 for its 13th flight

Despite the fact that the superstitious side of me had me wondering how this rocket's 13th flight was going to turn out, Maniac turned in its usual excellent flight although it landed a little too close for comfort near the trees. When I fly Maniac on a "C", I usually use a C5-3 because of its higher initial thrust, but I used a C6-3 this time and its slower liftoff was evident as it cleared the launch rod.

Flight 481, 132nd flight this year
Estes Super Nova Payloader on an Estes D12-5 for its 5th flight

I just never learn... NEVER USE STOCK ESTES SHOCK CORDS WHEN BUILDING AN ESTES KIT!!!! When building an Estes kit, I always change the shock cord not only because they are way too short, but also because they prone to snapping at ejection.  Well this is exactly what happened to my Super Nova Payloader.  The chute and payload section landed somewhere in the houses, most likely in someone's backyard since I was unable to locate it afterwards.  For some reason, I ended up using the shock cord that came with the kit when I built it.  I'll have go back and check my entire fleet of Estes kits to make sure that there are no others with original shock cords and I'll have to change them if I do find any. This flight was the last of the day since I now had to search for my lost payload section and parachute.  In the end, I never found it.  Looks like it's time for a call to Estes Customer Service...

In the end, I never did reach flight 500 today (not even close) and I came up short of matching the total N-s seconds that I burned last year.  Unfortunately, the weather just wouldn't cooperate throughout the summer this year and it prevented me from flying as much as I wanted to.  Wait 'till next year when I cert Level 1 (or 2 or 3)!

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