CATO LII Launch Report - 28 October
2001
Sterling
A view of the Sterling launch site as seen from the mid power pads looking east.
CATO LII Launch Report - 28 October
2001
Sterling
A view of the Sterling launch site as seen from the mid power pads looking east.
The weather started off breezy and
cool for our return to the high power field in Sterling. We were unable
to get a waiver for the launch, as the FAA New England Region was not approving
any waivers during October. Hopefully in November things will be different.
Fortunately, the breeze lightened and the mid-day sun managed to warm things
a little. Today we had 37 registered flyers and made 158 flights. The theme
was classic kits and the 4th annual CATO open pumpkin loft efficiency duration
contest was flow. We burned 5,650 Ns of propellant, equal to a baby "L"
motor.
Blast Off Sampler No. 1: At right we have Rick Polzello's Pumpkin Pie on an E30-4.
Blast Off Sampler No. 2: Starting off we have Alex Immerman's Estes SRX on a C6-3, moments before the wind took it into a "death loop" and crashed it into the ground. Next is Chris Masullo's original Estes Quasar (a great rocket for Classic Kits day). Next is Mike Kluk's Crayon rocket on a G80-4T. At right is Jay Calvert's 3FP (3 Fins and a Pumpkin) on an Aerotech F32-5W motor, launching off the Blacksky rail. The pumpkin ejected at apogee (1200') and stayed aloft for about 93 seconds, giving an efficiency score of 1.16 pumpkin-seconds per newton-second. This was good enough to earn 1st place and win an Aerotech 29/40-120 can and a G64-7W reload. Congratulations Jay!
Blast Off Sampler No. 3: First off is Jaon Hick's LOC Graduator on an F23. Next up is Eric Spain's Estes Dude on a D12-5 (this was a great flight, the second (see below) was not as good (but very comical) due to low inflation). Next we have Rick Pozello with his Pumpkin Pie once again on an E30-4T. Finally, Brian DiBella's Estes Death Star heads skyward on a C6-3. Great recovery on this rocket!
Blast Off Sampler No. 4: First we have Jay Calvert's Mercury Redstone on a C5-3. This is the classic Estes kit. The capsule recovered safely, but the booster chute did not leave the airframe. The resulting core sample damaged the top 3/4" of the body tube. ________. Next is Chris Masullo's original Estes V2 on a D12-3. This classic kit had a superb flight despite 20+ years in storage. Next up is Alex Giosa's V2 on an E9. Unfortunately, the E9 motor does not seem to have the initial kick to get this rocket up in the air properly... Alex's V2 had a nasty crash and will require extensive repairs.
Blast Off Sampler No. 5: ________ followed by Rick Polzello's Bullpuppy on an H148R. Next in line is Rick's LOC n' Load on an H210R motor. At right is Ulf Jonsson's classic Mercury Redstone, one of two such kits to hit the skies today.
Blast Off Sampler No. 6: First up is Susie Young's Drag Queen on an E30-4T motor, one of several great flights for this rocket. Next is _______'s Mirage(?). At left is a shot of Eric Spain's Estes Dude in distress... due to low inflation the rocket buckled in flight and assumed a somewhat spastic course (note smoke trail)! Very comical, a great crowd pleaser!
Alex Immermandisplays his Rocketman Rocketboy (unfortunately too heavy to fly at Sterling without a waiver). Next John Poulin hooks up the clips to his F50-9T powered pumpkin loft entry. Next, Eric Spain and Todd Harrison (hidden) prepare the Dude for another flight. At right is Jay Calvert with his USS Andromeda, a classic Estes kit. It had a great flight on a C6-3!
Chris Masullo readies his _____ while ____ looks on. At right, Dave Sousa makes final preparations for the first flight of his Spirit of Malaria on an F20-7.
Jessica Ristow concentrates on making proper clip connections while Jessica _______ observes. At right, Chris Masullo also finalizes connections in preparation for flight.
Alex Immerman's 38MIN just before its first flight on an F25-6. Next, John and Spencer Poulin display their F50 powered Silver Comet. At right, Byron Kim shows us his SOJU ready for flight on an F22-5.
First we have Len Haze with his Mosquito ready to fly on an E9-4. Next is Jay Calvert hooking up the clips on his Pumpkin Crayon. When fully loaded with an H128-6W motor, a pumpkin, and two chutes, it came in just under the 3.3 pound limit. The pumpkin deployed at apogee, about 1000'. It was last seen more than 5 minutes later, several thousand feet up and a mile or two downwind. Not bad for a 5' chute. Unfortunately the contest rules require that the pumpkin be returned this year, so this was a disqualified flight. The efficiency score would have been about 1.7. Finally, Josh Drummond prepares his Intruder for flight on a G35 motor while ______ makes final connections to his ARCAS.
First we have Rick Polzello's NCR Eliminator on a G64W. Next is _______'s Arcas. Alex Immerman's Big Emo (a LOC IV) lifts off on a G40W with pumpkin on board; it is attached to the shock cord right next to the nose (can be seen in photo at right).
Anyone wishing to contribute images please e-mail them to astroman@cshore.com (Joe Roberts). PLEASE limit messages e-mailed to me to no more than 3MB at a time!
LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS and STATS:
Clusters: Two clustered rockets were flown today. Alex Immerman flew his LOC Viper III on 3 x D12-3. Only two of the motors lit, but the rocket had a good flight. Les Kurz flew his LOC Starburst on 2 x E28-4 for a nominal flight .
Classic Kits: Many classic kits were flown today, as they were the theme of the launch. Jay Calvert flew a very nice Estes Andromeda and a Crusader Swing-Wing. Both had nice flights. Several Mosquitoes were flown ranging from Dave Sousa’s 2.6 Spirit of Malaria down to Brian DiBella’s little one on an A10. I don’t think Brian’s was found. Several Mercury Redstones and V-2’s flew. Chris Masullo flew his original V-2 on a D12-3. It’s now over 30 years old! Several Alphas were flown including Len Haze’s on a D12 and E9! Len also flew an Astron K-20 Mars Snooper clone. Barry Wilcock also flew an original Blue Bird Zero on a D12-5 (rocket was modified to handle D motors).
Multi-Stage Flights: Spencer Poulin flew his Doctor Pepper on a C6-0 to B6-6 combo and Steve Young flew his Jr. Initiator on a C6-0 staging to a C6-6.
Certifications: No certification flights today.
Notable Flights: David Ristow flew his Gigantaroc on a long burn Apogee E6-4 for a fun flight. Brian DiBella’s Death Star flew on a C6-3 and had the crowd cheering with its unusual 6 (?) piece recovery. Rick Polzello flew his Bullpuppy and LOC ‘n Load on Redline motors. Alex Giosa’s Maxi V-2 flew the classic V-2 flight profile right into the ground on an E9-4. The E9 looks marginal in the big V-2.
Motor CATOs: John Poulin was the Cato king today. He had two Aerotech F50T motors Cato. One did serious damage to his heavily modified Silver Comet. Yes, it has/had a 29mm MMT! The other F50 cato’ed and ruined his plans to loft a pumpkin. He also had an E15-4 that failed to eject destroying his very nice Estes Honest John on its first flight. What a day, ouch!
Contest: Today the 4th annual CATO Open Pumpkin Loft Efficiency Duration was held. We had six flyers and the closest pumpkin loft to date. This year the pumpkin had to be returned for the flight to qualify. Two pumpkins managed to thermal away into the distance. Had recovery not been a requirement, Les Kurz’s 8-minute flight would have scored in the Paul Welling zone with a 4.27.
| Place | Flyer | Duration (Sec) | Motor | Impulse | Score |
| 1st | Jay Calvert | 93.16 | F32 | 80 | 1.16 |
| 2nd | Rick Polzello | 43.1 | E30 | 40 | 1.08 |
| Rick Polzello | 26.56 | E30 | 40 | 0.66 | |
| Rick Polzello | 25.92 | E30 | 40 | 0.65 | |
| 3rd | Les Kurz | 68.28 | G64 | 120 | 0.57 |
| 4th | Alex Immerman | 43.67 | G40 | 120 | 0.36 |
| Rick Polzello | 14.41 | E30 | 40 | 0.36 | |
| 5th | Matt Kurz | 27.33 | G35 | 104 | 0.26 |
| Les Kurz | 18.99 | G35 | 104 | 0.18 | |
| Jay Calvert | 306.23 | H128 | 179 | DQ | |
| Les Kurz | 512 | G80 | 120 | DQ | |
| John Poulin | 0 | F50 | 80 | 0 | |
| Rick Polzello | Crash | E15 | 40 | DQ |
| Flyer | Ns | Breakdown |
| Rick Polzello | 748 | H210R, H148R, G64W, E30T (4), E15 |
| Les/Matt Kurz | 539 | G80FWL, G35W (2), G64W, E28T (2), C6 |
| Mike Kluk | 440 | G80T (3), F25W |
| Alex Immerman | 398 | G80T, G40W, F25W, |
| Ron Verrilli | 370 | G80FWL(2), F40W, F24W |
| Jay Calvert | 322 | H128, F32W, D12, C6(4), C5, MMII |
| Josh Drummond | 305 | G40W, G35W, F25W |
| Steve & Susie Young | 264 | F50T, F25W, F20W, E30T |
| Todd Harrison | 243 | H238T, F20W |
| Mike Casey | 208.5 | G80T, E9 (3) |
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