Well the alphabet contest has been a hit, not only for the contestants but it has a certain spectator appeal as well. I biffed two flights and gave up to pursue other goals, but I still had fun.
Not too much activity on the Single Shot Sweepstakes (D12, F60) or Super Single Shot (I600) this year. We probably would have seen a couple of shots last launch if it weren't for the fire.
Maybe we stretched ourselves a little thin on contest options this year, but there was no harm in trying some different approaches. Or maybe better weather or advertising would have raised participation in contests other than the Alphabet? Another consideration for the coming year is that it seems we have many more L1 and L2 flyers than previous, due partly to the BATFE regs being lifted.
One of Warren's goals was to select a motor to take down some records. Adrian almost did that with his I600 shot. Maybe we should consider some altitude record capable motors again. Here is last year's discussion thread:
http://www.ncrocketry.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1025
So what do people think? My thoughts to start the discussion:
Alphabet- Do again! Nice to have a contest centered around reliability instead of alititude.
SSS- Maybe go back to '08 where we just had one MPR motor. Roadrunner E25 (29mm) would keep the darn rocket visible, or try the new AT F32 24mm motor. Might even break a mile high with the F32. AT G80s (137 N-S) would also break mach. For something different, what about the CTI G50 (38mm)? I like this contest, we just need more participation. Of the ones I mentioned, I'd like to try the CTI G50. It has a 15 second delay, and the diameter would keep the speed and altitude down to reasonable levels. It allows non L1 flyers to participate but gives the experience of bigger bore motors. Downside is $50 for motor and hardware.
SSSS- Oooohhh, so many new CTI motors. In 29mm the H87 "baby H" IMax and I204 IMax "Baby I" seem interesting (though the latter could not be launched at the Atlas site). In 38mm the H100 IMax motor would emphasize lightness. If we wanted to try to take down the J record, the J530 with 1115 N-S would do the trick, but our standard North Pawnee waiver might not hold it in. Under Aerotech, the I-49 warp nine end burner would be both a challenging build and cool 8 second burn. Don't forget Loki- the I-110 moonburner sounds intrigueing.
Of the ones I mentioned, I like the H100 and I110 the most (CTI & Loki hardware cost less than AT hardware)
Icarus- This old contest was to try to get as close to 10,000 feet without going over. Any I motor. Maybe a good idea for a change of pace?
Single design altitude- John Wilke's idea to take a standard inexpensive kit (like a LOC Vulcanite) and put as much motor as you can in it and go for altitude. No mods to external dimensions.
Triple Shot Sweepstakes- the highest cumulative altitude on a sequence of three motors, like G, H, I. One shot each letter, set motor diameter, motors restricted to by impulse, and the exact same rocket with no mods between flights. Could also have a Super Triple Shot Sweepstakes (J, K, L).
* Chad
For the SSSS, the new CTI I216 is specifically designed for taking the I altitude record. It should do better than the I600, and still fits in the North site standard waiver. And it would good to support Dr. J's efforts in that area. We could have several NCR people setting the I record next year!
How about a contest to see what rocket can fly the widest range of motor classes in one rocket? Like 1/2 A and a D (5 steps)? Or a D and an I? (6 steps) Make the first tiebreaker go to the one who has the smallest small motor, and the 2nd tiebreaker go to the one who has the biggest big motor. Then someone could win without a level 3 certification. Variations on this would require all of the in-between motors to be flown safely also, and/or disallow changes in nose weight.
I just got my feet wet this year with this stuff. I really enjoyed building for it.
I like the idea of the widest motor class range and the 10K contests. The other ones seem to be slowing down a lot. The alphabet contest was pretty cool, I think a lot of people liked watching that. How many times do you get to see Wilke fly an A rocket and have to re do it because he crashed????? It's a return to the roots of where we all came from.
I agree w/ supporting Dr. J, he has really stepped up to the plate. I'm looking forward to making/flying some I216 birds. This year is going to be great.....
FWIW we tried the Icarus contest many times. It was my favorite contest ever... The fee was $5/$5/$5, meaning a $5 one-time entry, $5 per flight, and $5 if you broke 10K.
The net effect was the closest to 10K without going over got all the cash. You could fly as many times as you wanted. Bob M. flew to 10,004' once (no kidding) and that flight was thrown out. I hit 10,032' once as well. If you are not familiar with the mythological story of Icarus, google it up and you will see the contest was aptly named.
It was a riot - guys were waiting for it to warm up or cool down, putting external "rings" of tape on rockets to create drag, etc. It had very little participation - but the guys doing it were pretty intense. As we have a new group of fellows, I'd love to see this contest resurface.
Lot of great ideas. The G50 and H100 are a both fun motors!
If the $50 for load + casing is too much, how about borrowing a Pro38-1G or 2G case from Joe (GLR) at the site? We can load him up, and make sure he doesn't run out of them.
I'd be happy to provide GLR with a special competition price for these motors (and hardware), if they are flown in this contest. Or if you guys come up with another motor (or class of motors), we could probably do the same.
And that I216?... Yes, please let me see what it can do. I'm curious!
Jeroen
All this sounds great to me as Contest Director. These are all good ideas Chad. Let me kick some of this around with Joe and the executive committee and I'll post what falls out in a week or so. That way we have plenty of time to discuss before the annual meeting in January.
Warren
Thanks for the response guys. Let's be open if a few more ideas trickle in, but I think Warren and Joe have a good idea of what would make for an interesting club contest. I especially like the idea of working with a manufacturer like CTI to promote a contest and motor. We certainly have at least a half dozen people in the club that are capable of taking down a TRA record on any given Saturday.
PS. My SSS shot is ready. Paper tube, carbon fins, altimeter deployment. I was getting the pad set up when the fire started, so here's to hoping we have good weather on Dec. 5th.
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