After a long dry spell (or, more accurately, lack of a dry spell) we have an opportunity to launch high power rockets this Saturday in Elsberry, MO and the weather forecast is looking good.

Range setup will start around 9:00am. If at all possible, please arrive between 9:00 and 10:00 to help with setup - the more people we have, the easier it is on everyone and the sooner we can start flying! Our waiver will be open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. The range may or may not remain open until 4:30 pm, depending on how many people attend and how many rockets we want to fly.

Our waiver altitude is 6,500 feet AGL, with call-in windows to 14,500 feet AGL. For those unfamiliar, this means that you can fly up to 6,500 feet at any time the range is open, but if your rocket will go higher than that (or if it's going to be close to 6,500, or if you're not sure), please speak with the launch control officer, who will call FAA TRACON (air traffic control for the area around Lambert Airport) and clear the window when you're ready to launch.

Although we do not expect any rain this week, it's always a good idea to be prepared to walk in mud, which means boots and possibly a spare pair of shoes. Even though it'll be cool, don't forget sunscreen and something to drink. There will be neither food concessions nor restroom facilities at this site, but it is a very short drive into town for those needs. There is also no rocketry supply / motor vendor at our launches.

Launch fees will be $0 for Low-Power and Mid-Power Rockets (up to G motors) if you're a paid SLRA member, and $3 if not; and $10 for High-Power Rockets (H to M motors).

We plan to have various sizes of launch pads set up, from 1/8" model rocket rods up to 1515 rails.

As always, please be courteous to our hosts and respectful of their property, including driving slowly on all farm roads. Find a place to park along the side of the road, but do not drive into any field.

Location and directions to field:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1616154,-90.7682789,2917m/data=!3m1!1e3

Take MO-79 to Highway JJ, the first intersection south of the town of Elsberry. From this point, we should have signs up to guide you - but head east onto Old Missouri 79 (if you were coming north from the St. Louis area, this is a right turn). Once across the train tracks, Old 79 turns again to head back south, but you won't - keep straight onto the dirt road that leads across a wooden bridge and into the field.

Only one word describes last Saturday’s SLRA Buder Park Sport Launch event….Wow!!!  The weather was perfect with low wind conditions, clear blue sky, and temps in the mid to upper 80s.

We had a couple of records broken for the 2023 Buder Park Launch season; the most rocketeers in attendance, at 32, launching a total of 117 rockets.  It was really gratifying to see all the families in attendance enjoying launching rockets together. Ten of the thirty-two rocketeers were Junior SLRA members.

Event Highlights: 
- SLRA members Greg Roorda and Darrell Weber made their first appearance at a 2023 SLRA Buder Park launch.  Darrell brought a bunch built and un-built rockets for donation to SLRA’s Take-it/Fly-it program.  His donations were put in the hands of youth in attendance and were sent skyward/homeward. Hopefully these rockets will to be seen again at future SLRA Launch events. 

- Three members of the Washington University Rocketry Club were in attendance as well: Maeve Lomax, Lilly Fisher, and Alexa Wienoff.   They were all given a rocket from Darrell’s donation collection. Darrell assisted them in prepping their rockets for launch, filling out Flight Cards, and placing the rockets on the Launch Rack for their inaugural liftoff.

- The third and fourth SLRA Junior NAR membership awards were presented to Victoria and Dakota Drake. Congratulation to the both of them for receiving this well-deserved recognition!!

- Dakota and Victoria Drake;s Dad, Doug, flew his first mid-power rocket, the LOC Precision Mini Magg.  The first flight was a bit underpowered (D12-5), reaching an altitude of approximately 30’.  With the help of a larger engine (F24-7), the second launch was a huge success. Congrats Doug

A BIG Shout-out goes to:

- Dave Pape and Doug Probst for getting all the launch equipment to and from Buder Park and as always did an outstanding job of orchestrating set-up. 

- Chris Lagemann for assisting with set-up and take-down

- Charles Barnett for being the Launch Control Officer for most of the launches.  Thanks Charles!!!

- Darrell Weber and Peter Seddon for taking some great pics at the event, showing attendees having a great time and lots of rockets ascending skyward.

What an amazing day!!!!  Thanks to everyone in attendance for making this such a great event!!!

Happy Rocketeering!!

Secretary Dave

Link for Downloading Photos

Link to Glen Aren's photo from Video Camera mounted on his Ventris Rocket, taken above the Launch Field, near apogee, at 1500'

Link for Downloading Flight Cards

 SLRA is having our next general meeting on Tuesday September 26th, 2023 at Fallon’s Irish Bar and Grill located at 9200 Olive Blvd, Apt 116, Olivette, MO
 
6:00-7:00 PM - Rocket Talk Social Hour
7:00 PM - Meeting Start Time
More Post-Meeting Rocket Talk up until 9:30 pm
If you’re a member of SLRA and are registered on the website, you can view minutes of previous meetings from our website’s Meeting Minutes Page, The unresolved discussions from our previous meeting will be the basis of our “old business” discussion at Tuesday’s meeting.

Meeting Agenda
New Meeting Attendee Recognition
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting

Recognition of Achievements and Contributions
Treasury Status
Members expenses
Recent/Upcoming Launch Events
Old Business
New Business

A rocket from the Mike’s Fischer Memorial Collection and a “still in the package” unbuilt rocket kit will be raffled off at the end of the meeting.

Please email secretary@stlouisrocketry.com
 if you have new business for the meeting.

Zoom connection no longer available

The August 27^th SLRA Buder Park Launch was well attended despite being moved from Saturday to Sunday morning due to rain. Due to overnight rain, the field was pretty wet upon arrival.  A total of 16 SLRA members brought rockets to launch.  The final launch tally was 56 flights.  It was great to see Michael Ikemeyer at a Launch.  He took full advantage of the opportunity by having the most launches at seven.  There was a tie for the second most launches (six) by Junior members Peter Seddon and Creighton (Cray-ton) Reeves.   Peter had several successful flights of his Estes SLS rocket, in between taking great photos of other rockets being sent aloft.  With rocket-prep assistance from Don Hanson and Dave Kovar, Creighton launched his collection of Mike Fischer Rockets, ranging from a two-stage 13mm rocket to two 29 mm rockets.  Note:  Creighton renamed two of his rockets Fischer I and Fischer ll. What a great/thoughtful tribute to Mike “Rocket Man” Fischer. 

There were lots of great launches with Brian Hamilton’s dual D-engine cluster Flame Thrower rocket being my nomination for the most impressive flight.  This was also Brian’s first-ever dual-engine rocket launch.  Nice job Brian!!

The no-doubt highlight of the morning was the deserving presentation of a SLRA Junior NAR Membership award to Creighton Reeves in recognition of his enthusiasm for model rocketry.   Creighton joins Peter Seddon as dual 2023 SLRA Junior NAR recipient recipients.  Congrats to you both!!!

Happy Rocketeering!!!!

Secretary Dave

Link for Downloading Photos

SLRA is having our next general meeting on Tuesday August 22nd, 2023 at Fallon’s Irish Bar and Grill located at 9200 Olive Blvd, Apt 116, Olivette, MO
 
6:00-7:00 PM - Rocket Talk Social Hour
7:00 PM - Meeting Start Time
More Post-Meeting Rocket Talk up until 9:30 pm
If you’re a member of SLRA and are registered on the website, you can view minutes of previous meetings from our website’s Meeting Minutes Page, The unresolved discussions from our previous meeting will be the basis of our “old business” discussion at Tuesday’s meeting.

THE STANDARD AGENDA FOR ALL MEETINGS
New Meeting Attendee Recognition
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting
Treasury Status
Recognition of Achievements and Contributions
Members expenses
Recent/Upcoming Launch Events
Old Business
New Business

Mike Fischer Memorial Raffle : A portion of Mike’s “still in the package” unbuilt rocket kits will be raffled off at the end of the meeting.

Please email secretary@stlouisrocketry.com if you have new business for the meeting.

Zoom connection no longer available

Date: Saturday August 12th, 2023

Due to weather and field conditions, today's Buder Park Launch has been postponed to Saturday August 26th.  

Happy Rocketeering!!!

Secretary Dave

SLRA is holding an online auction for several items left to the club by the late Mike Fischer, a longtime member who passed away late last year. Please visit https://auctria.events/slra-auction-spring-2023 to see what is available. Here are some notes on the auction:

• Bidding ends at noon CDT on Sunday August 20
• Bidding within the last 5 minutes will extend bidding on that item for 10 minutes (to prevent sniping)
• You'll get an email if you're outbid
• You won't see who you're bidding against
• You must register on the website with a credit card before bidding
• All proceeds go directly to the club

If you have any questions, please email me at danno@danno.org.

Despite having the postpone this past weekend's Buder Park launch from Saturday evening to Sunday morning, due to weather, those who attended were treated to great wind conditions for keeping the rockets out of the trees. In all 11 rocketeers attended the event, 5 of whom were Junior SLRA members. We had 49 total launches. Chris Lagemann took the prize home for the most launches at fourteen.

Two new members joined the SLRA family, Adam Lininger and Creighton Reeves. Welcome!!!!

Congratulations to Creighton on a highly successful first rocket launch. He also took home the most rockets from the Mike Fischer Memorial Raffle, winning two of the four rockets being raffled-off.

A Big shout-out also goes to Peter Seden for a highly successful first launch of his Estes SLS rocket. Peter also took some amazing photos at the launch that are shown below. Thanks Peter!!!

Happy Rocketeering Everyone!!!!!

Secretary Dave