By attending a PARS meeting, you are automatically enrolled as an associate member. But to be a real member you need a rocket. Daniel therefore asked his parents for a rocket for his birthday, a new Estes "Code Red".

Code Red is a good starter kit because it comes with its own launch pad and controller. This means Daniel can launch his rocket without coming to PARS meetings. (His Dad will make sure he obeys all the safety rules)

As the proud owner of Code Red, Daniel successfully launched and recovered his rocket at an ad-hoc meeting of PARS on a bitterly cold Sunday 2nd January 2005

We set out to the launch site at 3PM. The Sun was dropping in the sky, and we hoped the modest wind would reduce. When we arrived at the site, the wind was stronger thanexpected, and there was some debate about whether a launch was possible. Oliver Neil Smith, another PARS member, had brought along the Oli 3, but decided not to risk a launch. Daniel however felt that, by slightly pointing the rocket into the wind, all would be well. He was correct. Three successful launches were made.

For the first (test) launch we decided not to use a parachute, so that Code Red would not travel too far down wind. But for the second and third launches, a small parachute was used. On the third launch, the rocket travelled 450 meters down wind, and, in the dimming light of that cold January afternoon, it was quite hard to spot where the rocket had landed. So, using 2 mile radios, Daniel and Oliver kept in touch during the descent, and Daniel's Dad, David, keep a look out for them, standing, perhaps, 300 meters down wind of the launch site.

Play Daniel Goldsmith's Code Red maiden flight, New Year January 2005
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