Cub Scouts with Stu Markowitz, 5-December-2004

Scouts brave the chill to launch their Triskelion model rockets on their maiden flights!

It was chilly, but at 45°F, it was wonderful for a December launch in New England!  There was more wind than I would have liked, but other than that it was too perfect NOT to launch.  And the Scouts were pumped up and ready to go!

I started the launch with a Pheord X150 redneck pickup saucer, much to the delight of everyone there.  I then explained how you install your igniter, install the motor in your model and prepare the recovery device.   Then, other than answering a question or two, I left them to themselves to prepare their rocket for flight.

As with most of the classes that I teach, we were 100% on rocket construction and preping for flight.  The only problem we had were that these kids were determined to launch their models with C6-5 motors!  After a first flight on A or B motors, many came back to the launch pad with a C motor installed.  We did our best to find a good angle considering the wind and the narrow nature of this field, but still nearly half the models launched with C motors wound up drifting well into the wooded area near the edge of the field.  Not to worry, these Scouts were not concerned.  Rather, they wanted to see what their model could do and were set on more power!  We did suggest reefing the chutes and cutting spill holes and that saved two or three models on C motors.

I also used this day to fly some of my own models including a boilerplate for a foam cup rocket called the "Decafinator" along with a 2-stage flying saucer (the Pheord X150 with the Athena) and our soon to be announced Tri-Glide, triple glider model.

All in all, it was a WONDERFUL day and we all had a great time.  I would like to thank Stu Markowitz for putting this together and helping to introduce these families to the fun of model rocketry!

jim