August 2013 launch date change to Sunday 18th

Please be aware the August launch date has been changed to the 18th August 2013. This is because the Logan Ekka show holiday resides on a Monday. As the launch site is based in Logan and with a number of members either living or attending work in this area, it has been decided the following weekend which is not a long weekend is better suited.

We look forward to seeing you on the 18th.

14 July 2013 Public Launch

LAUNCH INVITATION
The Queensland Rocketry Society Inc. (QRS) would like to cordially extend to all interested persons and members of the Australian Rocketry community an open invitation to join with us for our July launch. This will be a public open launch day. For those who have not experienced one, it is a chance for the QRS to display the pastime of rocketry to the public. We will be advertising the event to many media outlets including newspapers, TV and radio. Based on past experience, we can expect up to 1,000 visitors.

The launch program will be similar to the usual non advertised events but with a few more special launches. One super special event for March will be the launching of Ari Piirainen's OZ Thunder rocket on an M motor. This will be a exciting experience. Another special event will be a drag race for the pink and blue Crayon rockets (a boy's v girl's race).

LAUNCH DETAILS
Date : Sunday, 14 July, 2013
Range Open : 0800
Range Closed : 12.00
Ceiling : 5,000 Ft AGL
(A NOTAM will be posted with Air Services Australia Office Brisbane)

DIRECTIONS 
If you need details of how to get to Launch Area 2 (LA2) at Cedar Grove, please visit http://www.qldrocketry.com and ckick on 'Launch Dates/Directions'

SPECIAL NOTES FOR THE DAY
* As usual with this type of event, we would request some additional assistance with the organisation. We are requesting volunteers to assist with the traffic control, bar-b-cue, bump-in and bump-out duties. A separate email has been distribured to members with the details of volunteer duties required. We would really appreciate your assistance.
* Wristbands will be required for all members who are flying on the day. This helps the LCO/RSO keep track of all relevant participants. Please note that if you do not have a wristband, you will NOT be able to fly. These can be collected from the RSO table when you sign in.
* Members will still be able to push the launch button, however ONLY the LCO will be permitted to physically arm and prep the launch controller.

TRA CERTIFICATION FLIGHTS
Certification flights will be conducted at this launch for anyone seeking TRA certification.

IN THE EVENT OF UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
This launch event is subject to weather conditions on the day of the launch over which we have no control. Adverse conditions such as rain, high winds and limited visibility will affect the ability to safely launch from this location and the launch will be rescheduled.

If, on the day of launch, you suspect that this may be case, you are encouraged to check this post again for updates or contact 07 3333 1655 and follow the prompts to local clubs. A cancellation notice will be posted at the launch site shortly after 7:00 AM on the day of the launch.

Hope to see you there.

10 March Launch Day

LAUNCH INVITATION

The Queensland Rocketry Society Inc. (QRS) would like to cordially extend to all interested persons and members of the Australian Rocketry community an open invitation to join with us for our March launch.  This will be a public open launch day.  For those who have not experienced one, it is a chance for the QRS to display the pastime of rocketry to the public.  The event has been advertised to many media outlets including newspapers, TV and radio.  Based on past experience, we can expect up to 1,000 visitors.

The launch program will be similar to the usual non advertised events but with a few more special launches.  One super special event for March will be the launching of Nic Lottering's 3.5 metre Sledgehammer rocket on an M (that's big) motor.  This will be a exciting experience.

LAUNCH DETAILS
Date : Sunday, 10 March, 2013
Range Open : 0800
Range Closed : 12.00

DIRECTIONS
The launch will be conducted at our LA2 site (details are located in this web site).  Public parking will be in Cedar Grove Road.

 IN THE EVENT OF UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
This launch event is subject to weather conditions on the day of the launch over which we have no control. Adverse conditions such as rain, high winds and limited visibility will affect the ability to safely launch from this location and the launch will be rescheduled.

If, on the day of launch, you suspect that this may be case, you are encouraged to check this post again for updates or contact 07 3333 1655 and follow the prompts to local clubs. A cancellation notice will be posted at the launch site shortly after 7:00 AM on the day of the launch.

Hope to see you there.

Very Special Guest for QRS!

If I said the name Sampo Niskanen....it might not ring the bell for most but if I say OPEN ROCKET..that might !
Well, Sampo is the creator of Open Rocket and will be visiting Austalia next month !
As a country man of mine we have been in touch for a while now and I have a pleasure of having him and his wife stay over at my home for three nights/days as from 9-11th of November.
Sampo is a very experienced astronomer and one of the most experienced rocketeers in Finland. As they have a lot of restrictions there, they mostly do hybrids.
Reason for his trip here is mainly to come and witness the full eclipse of the sun in Cairns but he has a full schedule of sightseeing from Sydney right up to Cairns.
Being a smart man, ( 😉 ) this is his delayed honeymoon as he wanted to combine honeymoon, astronomy and rockets in his itinerary.....
He will be attending QRS launch on the 11th of November so all who can and want should come and meet the man behind Open Rocket !

If I said the name Sampo Niskanen....it might not ring the bell for most but if I say OPEN ROCKET..that might !

Well, Sampo is the creator of Open Rocket and will be visiting Austalia next month !

As a country man of mine we have been in touch for a while now and I have a pleasure of having him and his wife stay over at my home for three nights/days as from 9-11th of November.

Sampo is a very experienced astronomer and one of the most experienced rocketeers in Finland. As they have a lot of restrictions there, they mostly do hybrids.

Reason for his trip here is mainly to come and witness the full eclipse of the sun in Cairns but he has a full schedule of sightseeing from Sydney right up to Cairns.

Being a smart man, ( 😉 ) this is his delayed honeymoon as he wanted to combine honeymoon, astronomy and rockets in his itinerary.....

He will be attending QRS launch on the 11th of November so all who can and want should come and meet the man behind Open Rocket !

The Power of the Launch Controller

QRS is quite unique in the fact that is one of the only clubs in the world that allows members to push the button to launch their own rocket. Although not everyone necessarily wants to, it is amazing to see the excitement on a kids face when they unleash all of that power in one simple push.

Being the largest club in Australia means that our controllers get a serious workout, which often creates extra requirements for maintenance. Like the 60second countdown timer and the implementation of virtually unbreakable buttons, we see our controller evolving again to make sure members who like to launch their own rocket can continue to do so well into the future.

The latest addition is the independent launch button, complete with laser engraved fascia, designed to handle the toughest of button pushers. This new system allows the LCO to control all aspects of the launch controller including launching themselves, however once the system is armed and pad/s selected, this new button will give the holder complete power of launching rockets.

Queensland Rocketry Society launch button

QRS Members travelling to WA

Some QRS Members were fortunate enough to travel to WA recently for the annual Williams Wildfire Westernationals, hosted by Tripoli WA.

This was an amazing weekend with many great launches. A full report will be available soon, however just for a teaser, here is a photo of the N2000W drag race.

Williams Wildfire Westernationals N2000 Drag Race - Tripoli WA

AYRC 2010 Success

After the range was officially opened, a dozen teams started preparation for the first round of flights. Having only flown the smaller A and B size motors, there were plenty of questions from contestants and involvement from the AYRC officials to make sure flight deadlines were met and range procedures were adhered to.

The judges were ready for what was to be a very exciting and interesting challenge. With a maximum score of 240points available per team, the contestants had to not only build a rocket that would fly with stability and deploy recovery devices correctly, but also had to have great aesthetics.
The first round saw many characteristics which were unknown to some contestants as the power of higher impulse motors quickly destroyed shock cords, fins and nose cones. This meant that the lessons learned in the lead up to the event had to be quickly implemented with onsite repairs to those who had received the unpredicted outcomes of their first round flight. With those repairs and modifications made, round two saw some very big improvements and showed that with the right tools and mind set, the contestants had successfully learnt many aspects/characteristics of rocketry in a very short time.
Ultimately there had to be one winner and a big congratulations goes to the Beauy Beasts from Beaudesert State Primary School who took out first place by only 3 points. Second place was Nocturnal from Springwood State High School and third was the Beauy Beauties from Beaudesert State Primary School.
Throughout the day there were a number of demonstration flights starting from mid power E and G motors up to Level 1 and Level 2 high power I and J motors. There was also a flight of the Cool Spool (electrical reel) and a toob’oh on a D21. These demonstrations showed how the thrust curve on motors is exponential as the impulse range increases and that with enough power you can basically make anything fly. Apart from the scientific benefits of these demonstrations, I never get tired of seeing and hearing the ‘Wow factor’ amongst the crowd.
The purpose of the AYRC was to help educate school aged students using all the factors involved with launching a model rocket, including theoretical and practical use of mathematics, physics, history, aerodynamics and more. I believe those aspects were well captured by students and there are already plans to increase the skill set of contestants with advancements in the challenge requirements for next year.
I would like to personally thank everyone involved in the inaugural Australian Youth Rocketry Challenge. From the AYRC officials and sponsors, to the contestants, teachers and parents, this event couldn’t have been as successful as it was without the support and participation of everyone involved. I must also put a big thank you out to Petar and Ari who went that extra mile to make this event happen.
With the response from this year, 2011 plans to be bigger and better with the rules already being produced. We will have next years invitations out soon and look forward to our interstate competitors joining us.
Catch you all in 2011!

 

QLD Government Supports Rocketry in Queensland

The Queensland Government has just announced that it will contribute over $7,000 to the Queensland Rocketry Society (Inc) to assist the club in its program of public launch days and other community outreach events.

This funding was provided as part of the Queensland Government's Gambling Community Benefit Fund.  The funds will be utilised for the purchase of a storage and transportation trailer, ground support equipment, a range laptop computer and various other items which will help improve the club’s rocketry events.  The Queensland Rocketry Society will acquire these assets over next few months.

We would like to thank the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, whose contribution has ensured the ongoing growth and success of hobby rocketry in Queensland.

The official website of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is : http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/grants/gcbf/index.shtml

Ari heading off to LDRS 27

Ari said: "I'm going to study very closely all about dual deployment and everything involving the use of altimeters. Basically anything that is HPR (high power rocketry). Meeting of Board of Directors from the Tripoli Rocketry Association is high on the list too. At the same time I naturally want to enjoy the actual launches happening and looking forward to all that for sure."

One of the highlights this year will be a 1/25th scale Saturn V rocket. It stands 15 feet high, weighs 89Kg and is expected to reach about 4,000 feet altitude. We understand why Ari exclaimed: "I'm already drooling... badly!"

David Wilkins from Victoria and David Couzens from Western Australia are also attending LDRS this year.

Check out the LDRS 27 website for more details: http://www.ldrs27.org/ (new window)

You can view some highlights from last year’s LDRS event on this short movie from Liberty Launch Systems:
http://www.libertylaunchsystems.com/Video/2007-LDRS26/ldrs26.wmv

* LDRS stands for "Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships".