SpringFest Tripoli Launch 2002

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Apres Launch ala SpringFest

Das Rocket

Launch Vitae

UROC

Y22Tim

SPRINGFEST Highpower Rocket Launch

SpringFest Rocket launch is to Highpower Rocket enthusiasts as Ft. Lauderdale, Fl is to colledge students. An annual rite of Spring mixing testosterone, propellant and sprinkled with playa dust. Sponsored by the gang at Tripoli Las Vegas, SpringFest has grown into an annual event and right of the Spring passage for boys and their toys. The Las Vegas crew considered us welcomed and was very responsive to our launch needs. This launch is scantioned by the original highpower rocketry organization known as Tripoli.

As with any road trip out of control, one doesn't just go, one is invited to added to the expected mayhem. Invitation through fellow rocketeers who believe you have the skill and will to launch big. This is not your average rocket launch. It IS HIGH POWER burning in the core.

The first day was reserved for experimental propellant loads and rocket design. Because of this condition children are not welcomed. The remaining days were the norm highpower sport launch. Again, this is strictly a highpower launch whereby you expect to see Level One, Two and Three flights with regularity. My only problem was I needed to join Tripoli to play along under the experimental rules. Luckily, I have the backing and support of fellow rocket buds to lead me "up" that fly-way-path.

This launch was special for me as it was held just outside of Las Vegas, NV. Having never been to Vegas - it just seemed natural I SHOULD go. Utah Rocket Club (UROC) members were in attendance making the atmosphere friendly and competitive.

Day 1:
Experimental, brought 19 flights from several flyers with their own propellants. It was more than interesting to see the different crafted formulas perform. Mostly long burns and a little slow to pressurize at lift. I launched my PML Ariel to 2004'.check out the copyright pics by Nadine Kinney she captured these great shots of the lift and recovery. See her website for other great pics of launches. Textbook style flight, up to apogee for drouge deployment, main parachute set off at 400'. Welcome to ex, thanks for the case D. M.!

The venerable Mr. Kosdon was in attendance, and rightly so as he is a leader in the world of crafting propellants. It was a pleasure to see him "hold court" and discuss rockets, and propellant - formulas? nada, nope, ni, and don't even try to ask!

Day 2-3:
Several vendors were on the flight line to help you with your highpower habit and needs. What is fun is to pruse the crowd and see what people have been working on over the Winter. The crowd assembled here is a who's who from rocket fame and internet prowness. What is great about this style launch and like any other in the hobby, is the camaraderie. Its family in a way. People will break their back to help you, teach you and critique you. I learn more and more with every launch I attend. I launched my LOC Starbust (twin 29mm) on G64-10's with a payload of peanuts (spacenuts eh). Only one motor ignited, and it still flew well. Flew the Kryptonite (KH-31 Russian surface to air missile) and missed the point of really thinking a highpower flight through. Not fun is toasting your award winning favorite rocket with electronics inside. Yep, I lost my Kryptonite to the playa gods. Launched on a J420 redline. Best flight ever for the rocket. Well at least up. It turned over at apogee and spead home just clear of the port-o-lets. It took almost an hour to dig the nosecone out. Suspect the battery popped out - not firing either drouge or main ejection charge. Foolish me didn't want to use motor eject on a back up recovery. Live and learn or perish like your favorite 1/3 scale KH-31.

Viva LasVegas!
There is a lot to be said about Vegas - so I won't. Ha. The launch site and the hotel accommodations were just outside of Boulder, NV. Most of our crew pillowed at the Hacienda Casino. This place was great and just what we needed. None of that Vegas glare but good room, hot showers, cheap food and beer. My original $45 bet at the roulette table played and payed for a lot of fun that weekend.

We launched during the day and at night played in town. We visited the "Strip" and Fremont Street. Fun is a bunch of adults, acting 16, jammed in a car with a young adult driving responsibly. Fun is pitching coins and almost getting the street guy a warm meal in jail. Fun is getting mardis gras beads for the designated driver. Fun is $1 St. Patty green beer, blender drinks, cigars and no one hasseling you like in Utah.


*Make it how YOU Want !* *Doc Von Carbon*	*Add a section or two to match your launching desires.*

Boulder Dam was not far away from the "resort" digs of the Hacienda. Just around the corner in fact. Paul and I day tripped over to the dam and walked across. We didn't have time for the tour as we had to get back to the launch site. Something I can now cross off the list of "to do" in life. It was great to see the real concrete and structures. I had seen a film on the construction and was very impressed at the effort expended to build this structure given the conditions in that era. I was even more impressed with the amount of architectural or project related art associated with the structure. You will never find funding today for such a project add-on.