Some flight stats and highlights:

• We had 44 registered flyers, up from 28 last launch. (+57%)
• We flew 154 different rockets, up from 84 last time. (+83%)
• We logged 208 flights, up from 128 at CATO VI. (+62%)
• We burned 224 motors, up from 156. (+44%)

• We had 3 level 1 certification attempts, all successful:

David Perlstein flew a scratchbuilt rocket (LOC parts) on an H238T.
Bill Piedra flew his PML Bullpuppy on an H123-6W.
Joe Roberts launched his scratchbuilt "Ultimate 98" on an H180W.
Welcome to high power guys!


• We had 2 successful level 2 attempts:

Sandy Alonzo flew his 5.5" Tube Rocket on a J350-6W (see photo #2).
Kevin Toner flew a "Super Big Bertha" on a J350W.
Congrats gentlemen!

• A third level 2 attempt by Olivier Kozlowski will have to be repeated..His Rocket R&D Brutus suffered a separation and crashed when flown on a J350W.




• We ran two contests: "A" parachute duration and "C" streamer duration:


APD, senior division, was won by Jay Calvert who recorded a time of 108 seconds with an A3-4T in his Minigeek pencil rocket.  Jay also got a 104 second drift from his Machette on an A10-3T. The only other qualifying entry was Robert Lee's Fat Boy, which logged a mighty 5.5 seconds after a 20 foot boost from an A8-3!

• Electronics:  In addition to Lud's dual deployment flight (see above), Howard Deiner used a Cambridge accelerometer to recover his PML Thunder 'n' Lightning "No Dancer" by dual deployment on an I195-10J flight, and also flew the accelerometer in his AAA Nike Magnum "Red Glare" on an H220-10T.  Jay Calvert flew a Transolve T2 timer in his Modified Public Enemy Patriot.  The core H238-6T engine resulted in a fine flight, but the timer failed to fire the two E outboard engines this time.  Richard Daines used an Adept ALTIM1 to recorded altitudes of 736 feet for his scratch built Hawk powered by 2 C6-7 motors, and 651 feet for his stretched Aerotech Wart Hog on an F20W Econojet.



• Speaking of Econjets, Jim and Brian Stuckman suffered a cato from an F20-4W in thier LOC Graduator which destroyed the rocket.  According to Todd at Aerotech, the lot #902417 has a known problem and should not be flown!  This includes G35s as well as F20s.  Check your supply now.  I had some from this lot and AT replaced them back in February.  Jim spoke with Ed LaCroix, and AT gave the Stuckmans a $50 retail credit towards an Aerotech kit.  It's good to see a manufacturer make a bad situation right.



• Paul Welling flew a "Comanche 3D", a modified Estes Comanche 3 that uses 3 D engines: D12-0 -> D12-0 -> D12-7.  It worked great, but as far as we can tell the 3rd stage is still up there somewhere...



• Paul also gets the Tim Taylor "More Power" award for modifying an Estes AMRAAM to fly on an Aerotech G35-7W econojet.  The simulations say 525 mph and 4300 feet.  I think it's hanging out with the Comanche 3D in "Rocket Heaven".



• Alas, Lud's CDC X-7 "Viagra" will fly no more, forever.  It kicked the motor after an H123-10W boost and did a lawn dart onto concrete from several thousand feet.  I can still see Leslie clutching its poor, crumpled, lifeless body...



• Joe Roberts flew more flights than anyone else (15), and still had time to certify level 1 and to take a lot of photos, including 4 flights of his Estes Astrocam.  Cody Calvert also flew his Astrocam.



• Joe Roberts flew a 3 x D12-5 cluster in his upscale Estes Cobra.  Jim Stuckman flew a 3 x D12-7 cluster in his Maxiforce.  Bill Piedra flew an amazing 3 x D12-0 to 3 x D12-7 two staged cluster rocket "MRD-1".



• Lud's Estes Bullpup (which has become the unofficial CATO mascot rocket) made 3 MORE flights on C6-7s, numbers 48, 49, and 50!!!



• Sean Hogan flew his Estes Tomcat 5 times on C6 engines, with a couple of very nice glides (and some not-so-nice...).  Joe Robert's Estes Space shuttle disappeared behind the stone wall in what appeared to be a death dive, then wow'ed the crowd by suddenly pulling up and reappearing,missing the wall by inches.


The top propellant burners were:


John Brndiar	1682 NS	J460T, I284W, H242T, F25W
Kevin/ Amanda Toner	1229 NS	J350W, I211W, 2 x D12, C5, B6
Rob Larson	1173 NS	J350W, H128W, 2 x G40W,F50W
Robert Lee	1020 NS	I161W, H220T, G125T, G40W, 2 x G35W, D12, A8
Sandy Alonzo	954 NS	J350W, H123W, 5 x C6
Olivier Kozlowski	932 NS	J350W, H242T
Howard Deiner	909 NS	I195J, H220T, H180W
Paul Ludwig	791 NS	I357T, 2 x H123W, 3 x C6
Jim/ Brian Stuckman	743 NS	G75J, G40W, 2 x G35W, F20W, F24W, E15W, 4 x D12, 3 x C6, A10
Paul/ Aaron/ Stephanie/ Nicole/ Rachel Welling	721 NS	H180W, G64W, G35W, F52T, 2 x F39T, 3 x D12, 4 x C6, 2 x B6
Paul Schoen	697 NS	J350W
Joe Roberts	696 NS	2 x H180W, G40W, 4 x D12, 9 x C6, A8
Richard/ Aaron/ Amanda Daines	539 NS	F50T, 2 x F22J, 2 x F20W, 2 x E15W, D12, 11 x C6, B4
Chris Adams	478 NS	H238T, G80T, F40W, F20W, 3 x D12
Walter Johnson	418 NS	2 x G80T, F25W, F20W, D21T, C6, 2 x A3
Bill Piedra	418 NS	H123W, G35W, 6 x D12
Jay/ Cody/ Alex Calvert	253 NS	H238T, E11J, 5 x C6, 2 x A8, A10, A3