TARC qualifications - Amesbury, MA, 19-Mar-2005

A TARC qualification launch in March.  In New England, in March.  In the SNOW, in New England, in March.  Oh man...

As I pulled onto the field and noticed a small group of people clustered around I figured I had found the launch and was dismayed, but not surprised at how small a turnout it was.  After all, I was 45 minutes late and things seemed to be in full operation here.

I walked out, carrying a new proposed kit (no hints, go to the rocketry forum :) ) and started to talk to some folks.  There was another small group about 1/4 mile deeper onto the field as they were concerned about the wind direction.  Small turnout?  Nope, just a turnout running a bit late...   By the time things really got into full swing there were at least 5 teams there and well over 40 people.  It turned into a LAUNCH!  As I looked for a place to set my rocket so that I could warm my hands and took a sip of ice cold coffee I recalled our visit to Texas for NSL-2004.  110 degrees in the shade, 2 days sitting on a hot tarmac at an airport...  The locals there derived great pleasure in making fun of Kathy and I when we complained about the heat.  Apparently it isn't all that "macho" to a Texan to be bothered by the heat...  Well all I can say to those Texans is to "come on up!", we'll show you the REAL meaning of macho (as we discuss the various extremities that keep falling off yer body...   Until you've braved an elevated field on a treeless, snow covered hill on a windy day in New England I don't want to hear about "macho", fella.  Sorry, this cold trumps your heat :) (all in jest.  Let's not get deluged with mail from Texas.   Truly a wonderful state...)

We not only had TARC launches but several team members and CMASS members brought out some sport models to fly and, after some battery problems, started flying with a vengeance.  With only one pad going, I thought we did pretty good with an average of a rocket every 3-4 minutes.

All in all, a very good day and a whole lot of fun for the first launch of the year.  Kudo's to all of the teams that braved the cold and showed their stuff by launching their designs.  Probably one of the most exciting (TARC) rocketry happenings going on in the world of model rocketry today.

jim