I vote for a repeat of the SSS--hopefully with the new repackaged motor. And sorry, chris, i don't buy into your tracker argument. The reason it was suggested to disallow these is that the skillful use of a beacon requires experience (tho Ed would appear to be a fast learner), and more importantly the gear/$$ to do it. On the cheap we're talking maybe 250 to 300 for a Big Red Bee beacon, decent transceiver, Yagi antenna, and Ham radio license. The idea was to expand the field of entrants, not narrow it based on experience or $$. The fact that there have been no completely successful flights so far this year means to me we picked a great, and challenging event--and JW's point is an excellent one. Had fliers flown during the big events there would have been a lot more recoveries. The H999 shot I flew at MHM is in a similar category--it showed up sooner or later, at least the motor 1/2. Your rocket and the rest will too. Face it, fliers waited too long and had to put up with poor conditions--had you a clear sky you might now be crowing instead of complaining. Course the flip side is I and any other entrants know whats needed at atlas--and build for a 6000' flight. I wish i could say this strategy was based more than on procrastination and preoccupation and dumb luck, but there you have it.

As to the ssss, not sure here. We had 4 or 5 entries so maybe "dumbing" it down to an I600 might attract more interest. Or how bout any I impulse flight. That way it gives folks a little more latitude in terms of strategy. I, too, like the staging wildcard.
John S

Boy, that is a GREAT idea on the I600.... that is a motor that has some serious grunt. I also really like the idea of using any I motor. You can tailor your bird to a certain motor. It'd bring out the creativity in all of us. I don't know what on earth I'd use if I could go w/ any I motor. The I200 is a 29mm motor, but just *barely* an I.... The I600 has a lot of poop, but is a 38mm. Decisions, decisions.... Both great ideas, JS. There will be much to talk about at the annual meeting.

Both contests were great this year. I think it is incredible that we had some flights at/near 6K on a 100NS motor. I also think the prohibiting of tracking added a really interesting twist.

JW

Hmm - the I600 has some potential.

Then again, so does the Loki I110...

There is also news of a new J825R for the 38/1080 case coming out soon - perhaps use that for a little more extreme flight? 😯 8) 😆

Lets all figure out a way to have a HUGE SSS contest next year. I say we shoot for a $1,000 kitty. Here are my proposals, in no particular order:

a.) G80, so we have an assured source of propulsion (under the 62.5g limit that the BATFE may be more prone to enforce). This also allows kids, non L1 flyers, etc. into the contest.

b.) allow multiple entries. If you want to fly more than once, then pay for multiple slots. Granted, this takes the "single" out of SSS, but you get more $ in play. Alternatively, allow multiple entries provided you build multiple rockets?

c.) open to anyone, club member or not

d.) promote the heck out of this. There are a lot of flyers in Colorado. If someone could win a grand, it'd get some play...

e.) allow teams to enter rockets

f.) bump up the entry fee? $25? $30? what is the right twist here?

Bottom line, lets make this a big deal. I'd love to see someone win a big kitty.

JW

John, I like this. I remember asking about multiple entries for this year, but we shot it down. I'm glad to see you've reconsidered on that. I'd love to see a $1000 pot myself and I would enter more than once.

Warren

Hey, for a grand, I might even come up with fins that even I can't smash off. 😯 I'm shutting up AGAIN now... 🙂

Back in the eraly days of the SSS John Wilke and I discussed some other options, one of which was a balls out pot matching scheme whereby I flyer could fly a second time but only if willing to match the kitty. I'm all for upping the pot size but again in the interests of fairness, I think it should be done on a graduated basis--say 20 for the first flight, 40 for the second, 80 for the third. The reason is this--younger and/or poorer members are at a serious disadvantage giving someone with the means the opportunity to "buy the pot". I think we need to think carefully about this.
As to increasing publicity, for sure. I'm also happy to write a letter to Gary R of AT as they basically borrowed our model for a contest of their own. Maybe AT could at least chip in some prized for 2 thru 5. If you really wanted to up the stakes, tho I can immediately see some problems, make it a natl event. That is each section could pick a couple of dates for local contests and we host the finals at OF or LDRS.

John S

Interesting thoughts, guys. I, for one, would like to keep it local. Great idea to increment the cost for add'l entries, etc. I don't think there would be many who'd match the pot, but I'm sure there are some who'd go the $20 / $40 / etc. route.

One thing that would be hard to regulate is what would constitute an "addtional rocket" if we charged on a per-rocket basis. If you change a nosecone out, is that a "new rocket"?

Much to figure out here. A bunch of geeks like us are smart enough to come up w/ a game plan. Lets be ready by the annual meeting.

JW,

I'm not that much in favor of making it natl as too much opportunity for cheating, but if there were 3 or 4 clubs where we could place absolute confidence in the results of a contest, I can see expanding it to include UROCS, etc. But I still think we should look at the natl angle--it might be a whole lotta fun, and more importantly in the long run, maybe TRA would look more seriously at competition events beyond the cannon ball crap.
John S

Here's another extreme idea. Have the SSS with no tracking and a J350. Think about it.... someone could lay in the weeds and watch everyone else go for broke and win it with a pooch shot. 'Twould be an interesting game of chess.

It would cause some really interesting head games :-O

Now there's an evil idea... everyone goes for broke with minimum diameter birds that hit 12K or even 14K or more and loses their bird... the winner flies a 6" stubby that barely tops 2K and wins...

Warren

Now there's an evil idea... everyone goes for broke with minimum diameter birds that hit 12K or even 14K or more and loses their bird... the winner flies a 6" stubby that barely tops 2K and wins...

Warren

That is very precisely what could have happened with the G80 this year. Had Bob M not gotten 4700', I'd have waited until November or December and flown a Callisto to 1200' when I was sure everyone else was done dealin'.

Bob's shot forced our collective hands. Think about it, though -- what if he hadn't recovered? That would have rearranged the deck considerably last launch. Lots of strategy...