I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated this blog! I guess I'll just jump right in with this week's excitement--NARAM-59. Although I could not attend the meet, I did build two rockets for my team, H-Bomb. My brother, Mark, is in Muskegon competing and has been texting me the results and asking for advice. Although I am not at the field, he has let me feel like I am contributing to our effort.
Before the start of official competition, Mark flew his Door Knob on a J engine for his High Power Level 2 certification. Rod Schaffer and John Brohm witnessed his launch and verified its success. Mark had previously written the required test, so he is now officially Level 2! (Photo courtesy of Chris Taylor.)
Before the start of official competition, Mark flew his Door Knob on a J engine for his High Power Level 2 certification. Rod Schaffer and John Brohm witnessed his launch and verified its success. Mark had previously written the required test, so he is now officially Level 2! (Photo courtesy of Chris Taylor.)
Monday was the first day of competition, featuring C Altitude and C Flexwing Duration. I had built the flexie and Mark built the booster. The first flight corkscrewed on the way up and was DQ'd but the second flight scored a time of 319s! That alone was good for 4th place!
There were computer issues with altitude tracking for C Altitude but they were eventually sorted out and H-Bomb ended up in 7th place (out of 16 teams).
Tuesday brought G Helicopter and B Egg Loft Altitude. My last minute build was an upscale Tri-F-O, like what was used last fall in Saucer S.W.A.R.M. It looked great on take-off and even spun enough to qualify but it landed on a truck and broke apart, ending our chances at a qualified flight. B Egg Loft Altitude went a little better, but not much. The first flight scrambled the payload and the second flight only reached 19 m--at least it qualified.
There were computer issues with altitude tracking for C Altitude but they were eventually sorted out and H-Bomb ended up in 7th place (out of 16 teams).
Tuesday brought G Helicopter and B Egg Loft Altitude. My last minute build was an upscale Tri-F-O, like what was used last fall in Saucer S.W.A.R.M. It looked great on take-off and even spun enough to qualify but it landed on a truck and broke apart, ending our chances at a qualified flight. B Egg Loft Altitude went a little better, but not much. The first flight scrambled the payload and the second flight only reached 19 m--at least it qualified.
With three days left, this year's NARAM has been exciting, even without being there. If you ever get the chance (say, at The Harvest Classic 2017) you should really try competitive rocketry. It's great fun!