November 2025 – Tripoli Central Virginia

The morning of Saturday November 8th was absolutely beautiful. Few clouds, calm wind, and relatively dry conditions. The 1/8″ of rain over night left some soft spots. but those quickly dried in the abundant sunshine. As the day went on, temperatures warmed and the calm winds turned into zero wind from ground level to 6,000′ above ground level. These near perfect conditions saw all manner of flights from a .3oz rocket named Spek on an A3-4T to a 56 pound flight on an M2050. There were several hybrid flights, clusters, low powered exotic rockets, and high powered monsters that passed 6,500′.

Come Saturday evening, the forecast for Sunday wasn’t looking good. A low cloud deck and moderate wind was going to be troublesome, however, thankfully, those conditions never materialized. Sunday morning was a continuation of Saturday’s perfect conditions. As the day wore on, clouds moved in and winds picked up, but the day remained very flyable.

Over the course of the launch more than 100 rockets took to the skies over BattlePark ranging from 1/2A to M power. Additinal flight stats and pictures below:

Saturday November 8th: 48 High Power flights, and 26 Low Power

Sunday November 9th: 13 High Power flights and 15 Low Power

Action for the weekend kicked off with a brand new member flying “Missile 500” on an Estes D12. This rocket flew several more time over the course of the day.

Powerful liftoff of a 1/2 scale Astrobee D on a CTI I470 White Thunder for the first High Power flight of the weekend.

A fantastic (and VERY fast) liftoff of the ‘Crystal Hammer’ on an Aerotech I300 (great flame to rocket ratio). Recovery, controlled by a JLCR was as perfect as the boost.

A very nice TRA L1 cert attempt on an Aerotech H73 Black Jack. The H73 is a perennial L1 favorite at BattlePark.

This beautiful Nike Smoke tore off the second row of High Power pads on an Aerotech J350 White Lightning.

One of the most impressive large flights of the weekend was this Concept 125 on a EX L4000 Banshee. This propellant is VERY FAST and produces a very unique scream as it burns. The L4000 took this 27 pound rocket to just under 7,000 feet.

The first M motor of the weekend was this WildMan Ultimate Interceptor on an Aerotech M2050X. This flight was 100% successful and earned the flyer a TRA L3 cert. Congratulations!

Mach Shock rippin off the first row of High Power pads on an EX J550 Moon Shine.

Not a two stage or a cluster alone, but a two stage cluster! Two Estes B6-0 to two Estes B6-6 made for a great flight.

An ‘au natural’ Estes Magician lifts off on a C5-3 carrying a payload of corn kernels fount at the range head.

An extended LOC Precision IV on its way to a successful L1 flight powered by an Aerotech J180. The 5 second burn was really nice!

Absolutely perfect flight of this Performer 150 on an Aerotech M2050X. Fantastic boost and nice recovery.

Yours truly, prepping for the next flight…

A very nice 54mm Shape Shifter lifting off on a CTI H143 Smoky Sam.

The Concept 125 tearing off pad #2 on the away cell for its second flight of the day. Like the first one, this was also 100% successful!

A very nice TRA L1 cert attempt clears the rail on a CTI H125. This flight was successful earning the flyer their certification.

The MINI MAX EX heading to the skies over BattlePark on an Aerotech I245 Mojave Green.

This very detailed Saturn V turned in a great flight on a G76. We all held our collective breath as the chutes took their time to open, but all ended well.

West Verginia University was out testing a new payload lofted abord ‘Bootlegger” that took to the sky curtesy of a Loki Research M1882.

This one was VICERAL! WMX left the rail HARD powered by a K800 ‘Fat Boy’ bismuth trioxide EX motor.

An aggressive custom design called the ‘Lil Demon” lifts off on the super clean Aerotech F52 Classic.

A really nice Mad Cow Adventurer leaving the rail on an H210 RedLine.

The last flight of the weekend to leave the away cell was Hyperon. Powered by an Aerotech M1780NT, this rocket turned in a perfect flight and earned the flyer an L3 cert. Congratulations!