Date: August 26, 2000

Location: Hartsel, CO

Club: Tripoli-Colorado

I had three flights today. The first was my PML Ariel on an I154-M for her fourth flight. I hadn't flown her in quite some time, not since Turkey Shoot last year, in fact. So I figured she was overdue for another flight. On this flight I flew my Rocketronics Alt-4 as a passenger to record the maximum altitude. It was a nice, straight flight, with a well-timed ejection. She drifted about a quarter-mile away. As she descended under chute, the chute appeared a bit tangled. When I retrieved her, I found that the piston strap and shock cord had tangled on the shroud lines somewhat. There was a slight ding in the piston, but no other damage. The altimeter recorded an altitude of 2,503 ft.

Next was the first flight of my ScotGlas Talon-3. This is a really cool-looking rocket, and she got lots of compliments while i was prepping her. For her first flight I used an I284. She tipped just a little coming off the rail, then straightened out. At apogee the drogue appeared right on cue. She dropped pretty quickly on the drogue until the main appeared, which lowered her gently to the ground. When I retrieved her, there was no damage at all. The MissileWorks altimeter was beeping 3,384 ft. What a nice rocket. Next for her is a J350!

My third flight of the day was my 4" Ralphco Crayon Bank rocket This would be its fourth flight on another H242. By this time it was starting to get a bit breezy, but it didn't bother me. It just meant I would have to chase the rocket further. The Crayon took off fast and loud (love that H242!), and she arced a bit overhead and to the south, crossing over the crowd. Ejection was slightly late and at first it looked like she was going to land on the cars, but the breeze carried her back to the range and she landed about 50 ft. from the pad.

Only three flights, but the wind was starting to pick up and a thunderstorm was rolling in, so we had to hustle to get packed up before the storm hit.

YTD Motor Count: 1/4A - 1; 1/2A - 1, B - 7, C - 9, D - 5; E - 3; F - 5; G - 7; H - 7; I - 5; J - 1