FLASH Rocketry

Located in Southwest Florida, the club is both a prefecture of the Tripoli Rocketry Association and a NAR section. Club members gather once a month to fly rockets powered with motors ranging from 1/4A to K. For L-M flights, contact the prefect for pre-flight approval. No sparkies please. The FAA waiver is good for flights up to 15,000 feet. New fliers and spectators, of all ages, are always welcome. Enjoy the company of fellow rocket enthusiasts and watch rockets of all shapes and sizes take to the skies.

Club project photos | Mega-K launch video

GSE to launch floating-injector type hybrid motors is available. Email Bob before a launch if you will need it for a flight.

3/7/10 : Launch with lots of flights and better than predicted weather..

Check out the Launch Photos & Videos.

3/4/10 Launch Saturday

It is with great joy and jubilation that I have the extreme pleasure to announce we have a launch this Saturday. Now mind you, the weather will be nice, mid 60s with a light breeze. I am feeling much better and look forward to seeing many of you there. Period done.

Harold

Wait. Did I say trepidation? Yeah, add that to the list too......

1/2/10 : It takes more than wind and cold weather to keep real rocketeers from flying.

Check out the Launch Photos & Videos.

12/30/09 Launch on Saturday

Ok, so Friday is News Years day. That is good, and I want you spend the day resting and recuperating, because Saturday (January 2) is our first launch of the new year. It should be a beautiful day, like springtime up north. Ok, so that means it will be a little cool for us, but it will be an excellent break from the cold. No word from Bernie, so assume he will not be there (hey Bern, you listening?). Since we were rained out in December, I expect that many of you will want to come out and make up for lost time. Last I heard, the sky will still be there, so lets not waste it. Hope to see you there.

Harold

December 3, 2009 To launch or not to launch?

Wait! That's not the question. What kind of stupid question is that?

Seriously, we are scheduled to have a launch on Saturday, but you know, rain can be a good thing and a bad thing. Getting rain today and tomorrow is a good thing, because it means the field is too dry. However, getting rain on Saturday is a bad thing, because.... well I think you know why. Currently the forecast is calling for 50-60% chance of thunderstorms for Saturday, but we also know how reliable the forecast can be. So I will plan for the launch to go ahead, however, watch your email on Saturday before leaving. I will send a note before I leave here (approx 8 AM), or don't leave here as the case may be, to let you know how it looks. But I make no guaranty.

Don't you just love a positive launch announcement?

Harold

11/7/09 : Very windy day, altitude flights limited to our braver fliers.

Check out the Launch Photos & Videos.

Nov 4, 2009 Launch on Saturday (Turkey day soon too)

Hear ye, hear ye,

Let it be known by all people that this Saturday is our monthly launch. And now a word from our sponsor....

He folks, we have a special treat this Saturday. Besides Marc's M motor in a saucer I mean. Bernie is coming out. You remember Bernie. He's that guy that likes to go around accosting harmless prefects and selling stuff. Well, I have it on good authority that he has a fresh load of motors and is offering bargains galore. I happen to know a several of you guys have been complaining about not having motors, well this is your chance to stock up, so bring out the cash.

Also, not to depress anyone, but the drought index is starting to climb. That means, unless we get some more rain, our season is nearing an end in a month or two, so don't slouch. Make hay while the sun shines, as someone's father used to say. My father used to say "get up off your a**, you lazy @#$%^.....", or something like that.

See you Saturday,
Harold

10/3/09 : Great launch, lots of fun flights.

Check out the Launch Photos & Videos.

9/30/09 Yet another incredible launch next Saturday.

Ok , so let's see. Saturday is another launch. What can I say about this one. Hmmmmm.........

Oh I know, I am testing a new creation of mine. Now, before you get excited, it is not a big rocket, but rather a low power rocket. However, I have been playing with this for a while. It is a two stage Fat Boy with an Estes Astrocam nose cone on top. Kind of looks funky. It will fly on four C's in the booster and one D in the sustainer. Hopefully it will take a picture. Of course, I am not too sure about the stability, but hey it should be cool.

Wait, that's not exciting? Damn. Oh I know. I have heard through the grapevine (I would have said a little birdie told me, but don't get me started on birds......) that several of our esteemed members (cough cough) have banded together to put on a special show for us. Mind you, we are all confident that it will go well, but they are highly esteemed members after all. That's all I can say about that......

I hope to see you there.
Harold

8/1/09 : Another fun launch, no rain.

Check out the Launch Photos & Videos.

4/3/08 Launch information, be sure to read it all........

Ok, this will likely go down in history as my longest launch announcement ever. In fact, it is so long, I will have to break it up into movements. See if you can recognize the theme......

Launch movement number one: the invitation. Ready, go. Ok, so we are having a launch on Saturday at the usual time and usual place. The weather has been very cooperative and the drought index numbers are low. Of course, using care is always prudent this time of year. I plan on doing something really silly this month. I am actually going to fly a high power rocket with a K motor in it. Can you believe it? Amazing. Details to follow.....

Launch movement number two: vendor enhancement. Ready, go. You all remember Bernie, right? Well, if you have forgotten, he is our beloved vendor, the purveyor of fine rocket stuff. Now I know he has not been out in about a hundred years, and you guys pretty much wrote him off, but he has assured me that he intends to return to our launches on a regular basis, starting this Saturday. That's right, Bernie will be out at the launch, so it is a perfect time to come with a fat wallet, intending to lighten it some.

Launch movement number three: shameless self promotion. Ready, go. Ok, I think at some point, all heavily addicted rocket people have considered selling rockets. Or maybe that was just me. In any case, our very own Marc Slabbinck has actually done it. He has opened a new online rocket store, and is selling favorite rocket kits at a really good price. You can check it out at http://www.rocketarium.com. And, for members of our club you can order and pay for your kit online, but get free shipping by having it delivered to the field. To do this, simply enter the coupon code FLASH on the checkout page and the shipping will not be charged, informing Marc that you will pick it up at the field.

Launch movement number two hundred thirty seven: TARC teams. Ready, go. Last week the club on the other side of the state weenied out just because of a little highly noxious, poisonous spraying that was being done, so with this being the last weekend for TARC teams to qualify, I was called by TWO different teams on that side of the state. They are both planning to come out and attempt their qualifying flights with us. This is always a lot of fun, and the experience of watching true innovation at work is great. We are proud to have them come.

Launch movement number four, the attempt to score free motors. Ready, go. Many of you know we have a local small motor maker amongst us. His name is Jim Harris, and his company is Gorilla Rocket Motors. He is located somewhere in the Tampa area, and has a number of motors certified with Tripoli. So far, only 54 mm motors have been certified, but he also has a bunch of 38's sent in, waiting for Tripoli to get them done. I have flown a few of his motors, and they work well. In fact, the K motor I will be flying on Saturday, is a K327, one of his long burn white motors. I am expecting 4-5 thousand feet. You can see his website here http://www.gorillarocketmotors.com. Probably the best part is that I think we can arrange for free delivery to the field, saving major bucks in the form of hazmat charges. Check it out.

Ok, so that should be enough to keep you busy for a while. See you Saturday,
Harold

Club contacts:
Prefect Harold Sasloe
President Robert Backlinie