Great visability, low winds and some of the nicest
rockets in the country! When you are a rocket entusiast, this sounds like
rocket heaven, but it wasn't...it was the 1997 Springfest Launch sponsored
by LTR and NERO. Over 200 flyers participated in one of the best launches
that I have ever attended. Vendors included Atomic Rockets, Aerotech, Delta
V, Vuaghn Brothers, Rocketman Enterprises, Advanced Propulsion Systems (they
demonstrated their new line of rocket motors) and even Frank kosdon was
there looking better than ever in his same old shorts and T-shirt after
bouncing back from triple bypass surgery. (Great
to have you back Buddy!)
The 3 Scientific Amigos-- from left
to right--Frank Kosdon, Ky Michaelson and Gary Rosenfield
Witness the end of Rikki Rockett's
machine just seconds after liftoff! Can you say "CATO?"
Mark Clark, Jim Cornwall and Robin
Meredith brought their "HELLBOUND CHILD" rocket powered trike
to match-up against Ky Michaelson's "SPEED RACER" car.
Michaelson's "SPEED RACER"
was powered by an Advanced Propulsion Systems K650 "Redeye" motor.
It handled the rough desert course without a hitch. The "HELLBOUND
CHILD" trike , powered by a k550, ripped the arms right off of the
little stuffed rider...Kids, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!
Ken Fenwall launched this monster
at night! It looked like the space shuttle lifting off.
His launch was for his level 3 certification.
His 10 ft. tall, 18.4" diameter rocket was powered by a M-1419 Aerotech
motor. He just got this flight in under the waiver with only 2 mintues to
spare! He had full deployment and the rocket was recovered.
SOME OTHER GREAT HIGHLIGHTS...
The Vaughn Brothers
debuted their "HOBGOBLIN" rocket kit
The "RED
DRAGON" rocket of Steve Cello was hands down the most beautiful rocket
of the meet.
Robert Huthinson
featured a rear ejection chute deployment technique that was succesful on
2 out of 3 flights. The third time wasn't so lucky...let's just say he didn't
have enough "POOP FOR THE CHUTE"! His doomed bird went nose first,
2 ft. into the desert floor. The protruding 3 ft. of airframe was left in
the ground to act as a marker for next years launch.
Jim Cornwall,
most notorious for his giant "MOSQUITO" rockets, showed up at
this year's meet with something just a tad smaller. He featured a 1 foot
long by 5" diameter "CRAYOLA CRAYON" shaped baby bottle rocket!
you had to see it to believe it! He says the secret to its flight success
is that it's powered by, what else but... BREAST
MILK!!!
Steve Peterson
has been trying to get rid of his ex-wife for some time now. His ex-wife
has actually been immortalized inthe form of a high-powered rocket with
a mannequin head attachhed for a nosecone. Steve was seen dragging the rocket
to the launch pad by it's fins like a caveman! He powered the "EX-WIFE"
with a k185 motor, unfortunately, he was going for a level 2 certification
so he had to use a chute for recovery...and just like a nagging, whining,
money-sucking ex...it came back to haunt his life another day with a successful
recovery! Better luck next time Steve.
John Paulson had
the best CATO of the meet...his machine literally dissentigrated! His PHOENIX
scaled rocket made by California Consumer Aeronautics was powered by a L952
reloadable motor...KA-BOOM!
Flagstaff, Arizona
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