This was, perhaps our most unusual event.

Not only did it see the successful first flight of The Big Pencil, but we found out that Mercury 1, our Mile High Project, was over stable and needed modification. But all of this paled into insignificance compared to the amazing sequence of bad luck imposed on Alex Field and his Sky Blaster rocket.

It took Alex ten attempts to get Sky Blaster into the air. At first we thought we had igniter problems. But after trying two or three, we found out the electrical circuit from the car had pulled itself loose. After all that drama, and with Alex feeling very depressed, he was faced with not one, ont two, but THREE motor failures. They came from a batch of Estes motors kept for a short time in a Garage. We concluded they had become damp. For a final attempt, we used a different batch, and, hey presto, an amazing launch.

The day ended with over an hour long search for Alex's Green Fantom, which must have drifted for 3/4 mile at least from about 2000 feet. Everyone was exhausted, tempers were raw, but the day was simply incredible.

And now to some congratulations to the boys: I was really pleased to see the way you started to take responsibility for your own launches. This is really important for the future. While none of you are yet ready to be launch controllers, you are almost there. What it takes is to use the check list and not get carried away by the excitement. And once again, that very important rule about a low-current igniter not being put into a high power rocket until it is safely on the launch pad. And do make sure the launch pad is returned to upright, and then secured. A pad check will be added to the PARS check list.

And of course, it looks like we have found once again, following Dan's experience last year, how important it is to store Estes motors carefully. I am currently using sealed cases against moisture - and intend to add Silica Gel as well.

Sebastian must be congratulated for "The Big Pencil" (TBP1?). Truly an amazing rocket. You really had to be there to appreciate it. This shows what is possible with good design and simple clean components. I urge all PARS members to learn from Sebastian on this one. What it shows is that you can design, order custom cut parts from the U.S. and end up with a relatively simple build. The fiberglass fins and plastic tubing are nearly indestructible and ... waterproof! This really does show a new way to build a high performance rocket in my view, and cost effectively. I simply cannot wait to see TBP1 on a larger motor!

Alex, what can we say?!?! Your final 3-Grain launch was amazing. I believe, but am not sure, it could have been a PARS Height Record. But without altimeter, there is no way to check. So this is a message for all PARS members: build your rockets to take altimeters. It doesn't have to be a large compartment. There are other ways, including a thin tube inside an upper tube with bulkheads.

Now, as you know, I am not a fan of single recovery. As we found out, the rocket drifts a long way. And boy did Alex experience that! The rocket must have drifted 3/4 mile. With the loc8tor "Bob" falling apart at apogee, there was no way to locate the rocket automatically. But find it we did! HOW???? = Team work.

I am incredibly proud to see how the team worked together on this. The recovery took nearly an hour and a half. During this time you could easily have given up. But instead, you kept on going, and, using a systematic search (keeping in radio contact) you found the rocket.

So I must also congratulate everyone on their walking legs. You must have walked miles during this event! It can be very tiring. So it's only natural there will be some frayed nerves. And that's why being a team is so important.

As Seb said, "It's all in the prep." And that's rockets. Oh, and Alex .... green rockets in green fields .... mmmmmm ..... not a good idea :-)

A slide show of photographs from the event can be obtained here.

A slide show of photographs from the event can
be obtained here.

Videos from the event (Curtesy of Dan's mobile
phone) are listed below (hosted by You Tube):

First and Wonderful Flight of Seb's "The Big Pencil"

Alex's The Green Fantom, flies again after it's debut
at K-LOB 2006

First test flight Mercury 1: the "Mile High" project. The
rocket is clearly over-stable, and needs modification
to reduce fin size and centre of pressure.

A flight of Dart. Looked VERY unstable to my eye,
Mark Field is back to the drawing board on this one.

Alex's Sky Blaster fails for the first time.

Alex's Sky Blaster fails for the second time.

Alex's Sky Blaster fails for the third time. Diagnosis:
Do not store Estes motors anywhere damp.

Effect of failing motors on launch pad: Melting screws.

Finally, Sky Blaster is successful, and what a flight
it was. Sky Blaster is just an amazing rocket.