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 Flight Cards
