The first launch of the 2006 session started out once again in Amesbury, MA. It was windy and cold, but the parking area was packed with cars, and many tables and blankets were set up loaded with rockets. I made the effort to arrive to the field early so I could assist setting up the launch range. We got the range set up earlier than unusual, which was a great way to start the flying season.
I spent the better part of the launch flying my Fliskits Micromaxx rockets. First off the pad was the Crayon, which went higher than I thought it would. Second was my Just Past Due. I missed the flight talking to Bill Spadafora, so I launched it again for a perfect flight. Then I put up the TOG which whiplashed and broke a wing on landing because the shock cord got tangled with the streamer. My Diminutive Deuce had an interesting flight. It looks like motors did not ignite exactly at the same time, so the rocket whip-lashed off the launch rod. It had a safe flight, but did not go as high as it is capable of. After these flights, I decided that it may be necessary to get a thicker launch rod that more closely matches the size of the launch lug tubes.
Then I did some bartering and got a B6-0 and an A8-5 for my Semroc Texas Firefly. The beautifully finished rocket had a perfect Flight. Next up was my Semroc Mars Lander. After a discussion with Jim Flis, I learned that many people were having stability problems with the kit. He commented that my Mars Lander looked like it was built right. After a brief countdown, my Mars Lander proved to be unstable with a C6-3. It did a few loops and almost took out a Mars Lander cake someone brought for a L2 Cert celebration. Fortunately, the only damage was one of the hubs cracked. I finished the day with my Sumo on a G75-6J and my LadyRobin (PML Aurora) with a H180-6W. The H180 had an early ejection, but no zipper occurred. Unfortunately, one of the fins was knocked loose upon landing.
Robert DeHate brought his M-Motor Eater, and launched it twice with AMW 54/1400 motors. First up was a K475 White Wolf motor. After the awesome flight, Robert was debating whether or not to put the beast up on another white or go with a green. He decided to go for the green when he launched his beast again with a K530 Green Gorilla.
