April 2024

The last launch of the season is one many of our member look forward too. Three full days of flying along with the Battle of the Rocket competition bring out lots of rockets and plenty of excitement. Unfortunately this year the weather, much like it did most all season, did not cooperate. The forecast was clear for all three days, but the wind was out in full force with periotic gusts of over 40MPH! Friday saw few flights due to the wind, with many more on Saturday and Sunday. Gotta hand it to the BattlePark flyers however, they showed up and managed to get nearly 200 rockets in the air powered by motors from 1/2A to M power. We also had 22 Tripoli Level 1 and Level 2 certification attempts with 17 taking place on Sunday! Details and pictures below:

Friday April 12: 11 Low and Mid-Power flights, and 9 High-Power flights

Saturday April 13: 31 Low and Mid-Power flights, and 21 High-Power flights

Sunday April 14: 55 Low and Mid-Power flights and 50 High-Power flights.

The bright green flame of an Aerotech G76 powering this Aerotech HV Arcas.
Ignition of an Aerotech G80 that quickly lifted this MadCow Rocketry Cricket high in the skies over BattlePark.
A customized WildMan rocketry Journey 75 leaving the rail very quickly on an Aerotech H165. This flyer received her Tripoli Junior L1 certification with this flight!
A successful recovery though an apogee deployment combined with the wind resulted in a long walk.
BattlePark flyers love them some sparky motors. This rocket was MOVIN OUT on an Aerotech I280 Dark Matter!!!
A Tripoli L2 certification flight leaving the rail with authority powered by an Aerotech J500 Mojave Green! Left the rail so fast it was hard to keep it in frame.
Beautiful liftoff of a Formula 150 on an Aerotech K1275 Redline.
This rocket aptly named the “Ugly Duck” lifting off from the away cell on an Aerotech K1800 Super Thunder!!!
An absolutely beautiful Performance Hobbies ‘Performer 150’ taking to the sky on an Aerotech L1390 Mojave Green.
A Loc Precision Bruiser EXP dubbed “The Beast” taking to the sky on an Aerotech L1000.
A 4″ WildMan Drago leaving the pad hard on an 3grain 54mm EX J649.
A 4″ Loc Precision Goblin tearing off the pad on a CTI H225 White Thunder!
A 4″ Loc Precision Goblin lifting off on an Aerotech I327 Dark Matter. BattlePark flyers and sparky motors…

We don’t see many CTI VMAX motors anymore, but when they show up, they do not disappoint. This I800 hammered a 1/2 scale Astrobee-D for a fantastic flight.
UVA testing their SpacePort America rocket dubbed “Saber 1” on an Aerotech L2500 Super Thunder!
A WildMan Rocketry Journy 75 named “Shabloom” lifting off on an Aerotech H100 for a successful Tripoli Level 1 certification.
IMHO full-tilt Aerotech blue thunder motors are darn cool, and this I435 was no exception. It got this Rayzor going in a hurry!!!
A very nice and quite unique Concept 75 lifting off on an Aerotech H130. Note the pair of camera pods mounted to the payload section.
We had a lot of competition in the Battle of the Rockets “target altitude” event over the weekend. This entry is flying on an Aerotech F67.
A very cool on-board shot sent in by flyer Robert Becker. His rocket “Python” turned in a beautiful flight!
The SUPER ALPHA III lifting off on a 76mm Aerotech K780 Redline. The attention to detail on this one is truly a sight to behold.
A custom 4″ fiberglass rocket named ‘No Limits’ powered by an EX K1212 “Turbo” to just over 3,800 feet.
The largest and most powerful flight of the weekend came curtsey of VCU as they tested their SpacePort America rocket on a 98mm Aerotech M1600 Redline.
This flyer took advantage of a break in the wind to absolutely send his Tripoli L2 cert flight. His 3″ WildMan Punisher tore off the rail to over 5,500′ on a J250. Note the fly away rail guides that were used to minimize drag.
A full scale Arcas sounding rocket lifting off on an EX K725. The propellant is called “Electric Pink Unicorn.”
Clusters are fun, and clusters in classic old school rockers are, well, funner! This Loc Precision Viper IV was just that powered by 4 Estes E12s.
Orbital Launch Virginia Tech “OLVT” was out and flew Skipper 1E twice with fantastic results. Liftoff here is on an Aerotech J460. Well done guys!
An absolutely beautiful Binder Design THOR flying on an Aerotech J350 White Lightning.