BBX prepped and ready for the pad
A great launch on a CTI M2505
|
September 19th, 2003
Wayne Hortensius and I got to the launch site around noon and setup the camp site so I could get to work on prepping the rocket. I had made the charges and assembled the motor at home the night before. My thought was this way I could put the rocket together in an hour and be ready to go.Ya right! It was a good idea that just didn't happen, as I look back on it I'm glad I slowed down and took my time assembling the rocket. It took me about 4 hours to get it ready. On reason I wasn't to upset about the time was I wanted to wait for Scott West and Andrew Longdale to show up and see the launch. They had helped me so much with advice and parts that it only seamed right for them to be there.
I was ready by 4:30pm that day, however the launch window was not until 7pm, so I thought I would relax and visit with my fellow rocketeers. Relax right boy was I wrong by 5:30pm I was so nervous that I couldn't stand it. At 6pm Wayne Gallinger the senior RSO let me put the rocket out by the pad, and at 6:30 Ian Stephens and I went out to set it up for the launch window.
7:00pm the time has come however again we ran into a problem, it had clouded over. I was only expecting a flight to 10,000 feet but the could were about 10,500 feet not enough room in case the rocket went higher then that. With transport canada looking on I was going to say to much about it. Wayne G made the right call and waiting until we had a clearing, and around 7:50pm with my stomach in my throat, the LCO lite the candle on that bad boy and WOW what a flight.
watch the video of the launch
Everything worked from the motor to the drogue coming out at apogee and the main popping at 1000 feet, the best feeling I had was seeing that main pop. The rocket floated safely and undamaged to the ground about 100 feet from the side of the main road. Max Baines drove Scott West and myself to the landing site to recover the rocket. What a great feeling it was to see that beautiful rocket laying there the way it should be. There was a little damage to one of the canards however I did mark them as sacrificial so all was good.
When we got back to the camp site I was still bouncing off the ground as I took my $5.00 and paper work over to Dave Ross for my Level 4 signed off.
After a congratulations drink with Dave Ross it was off to Max's trailer for the pouring of the campane that he had presented me for getting my L4. Man was that good, thanks Max for that. I then opened my bubba keg of beer and the party was on.
Thanks to everyone that helped make that day happen.
