NEFAR Demo Launch
at
Valkaria Air Show
February 18, 2012

The demo launch and static display at the Valkaria Air Show was a success.  Four members of NEFAR as well as two ERAU students contributed to the success of the event.  Spaceport Rocketry Association also contributed some pads which helped with the demo launches.  We were given two launch opportunities, one at the start of the air show and another at the conclusion.  The plan was to do up to five launches at each opportunity.

The kick-off flight was Gary Dahlke’s Quantum Leap 4 boosting on a J460 and staging to an H123 Skidmark with a textbook flight that wowed the crowd.  A misunderstanding with the “Air Boss” (the guy that runs the overall air show) resulted in only one rocket going off at the start of the show.  As we were preparing for the next rocket, we noticed parachutes (other than Gary’s Quantum Leap) in the air.  Within seconds we were able to figure out that these were the sky divers and that it would be best if we did not launch into them.  The Air Boss was under the impression that there would be only one rocket launch to kick off the air show, so when he saw the QL fly, he then gave the sky divers the go-ahead to jump.  At that point we just disarmed the pads and left the remaining rockets in place for the next opportunity.

Later in the day, as we were preparing for the next set of rockets, we see an airport vehicle heading our way at a rather high rate of speed with emergency lights flashing.  Of course our first thoughts were “this can’t be good.”  It’s the airfield manager and he asks, “How soon can you launch?”  We were just about ready so we replied, “In about a minute.”  So he says, “GO!  Make it happen!”  Launch team:  “But we don’t have our public address comm link established.”  Airport manager:  “Doesn’t matter.  It’s now or never.”  So at that point, Scott Borders very calmly and professionally announces the countdown to the team members who were within earshot of his voice, and the five of us had our own personal, private high power rocket launch!

Chris Dreher from ERAU flew his 1/4 scale Nike Smoke on an I255
Bill Stafford flew his I-Rock on an I211
Adam Lang flew his Old Yellah on an H133
Gary Dahlke flew his LOC/Magnum (not to be confused with Gary Dahlke’s Dirty Harry’s Magnum Force) on a J360 Skidmark
and to finish it off, Scott Borders flew his Quest for Fire on a “vintage” ISP K550

We later found out that some of the aerobatic fliers cancelled so our time slot got moved ahead—that’s why we were pressed to fly earlier than scheduled.  We also heard that with the sound of Chris’ Nike Smoke taking off, the attention of the crowd automatically became focused on the launch area, and they were able to see the launches, even though there were no announcements.  I guess you could say the announcement of our presence was made by Chris’ I255!  We also want to thank Austin O'Grady from ERAU who manned the static displays while the rest of the team was out flying.

It was a long day, but a lot of fun for those who participated.  We handed out countless “TRA Fliers” which had NEFAR club information printed on them.  The attendance estimate was around 5,000 so it was well worth our effort to demo in front of what clearly has to be one of the biggest crowds NEFAR has ever had.  As a bonus, NEFAR has been given the opportunity to hold a future club launch on the air field for an entire day..  The Experimental Aircraft Association will hold a pancake breakfast in conjunction with this launch.  This event will be an item of discussion at the next NEFAR club launch at Bunnell.

Gary Dahlke
3/4/12

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Photos by Chris Dreher

Jimmy Yawn - 3/10/12