Waiver : Notification waiver to 3000 ft AGL [ 4000 MSL ] for 2/1 and 2/2 2003
Launch Window : 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST
Location: Swinging Bridge Reservoir ,Mongaup Valley New York
Weather: Winds light and variable , temp 0-15 F ceiling 2500 AGL
RANGE : Frozen Lake, ice reported 2 ft thick. [ 4 ton dump truck with plow,  plowing out the drag race track gave me a good sense of the ice thickness and strength. We we safe with our MANTIS launch platform and motorcycle battery.]  

We prepped the rockets indoors and then staged them near the pad for EZ Pad loading and flights.....We used COPPERHEAD igniters for all flights. we were 8 for 8 on the first try with the COPPERHEADs. Launch pad was the AEROTECH Mantis with a custom clip and support  mod. The clip mod was to replace the broken pcs from the original mount. the rocket supports aid in keeping the rocket from twisting on the pad. This is an absolute MUST for successful copperhead use.

First up was Joe B with his Aerotech Initiator on an Econojet F20-4W. The F20 lit at once and left with a healthy ROAR . Boost was straight up and the beeper was heard just after deployment. recovery was less than 1000 ft from the pad.

Next up was Kenny M. with an Aerotech Initiatior on an F20-4W. As expected this flight was identical to Joe B's flight, straight up boost with a perfect deployment and close recovery to the pad.

Kenny M. was up again with an Aerotech Tomahawk on an F20. The Aerotech Tomahawk is a semi scale kit an has a long lean look. the F20 lit and she boosted off the pad like she was on a rope.... VERY straight.....over the top for a perfect deployment and landed a mere 1500 ft from the pad.

Next up was Bobby B with his Aerotech Cheetah on an F20.  The Cheetah is a super light high flyin rocket  and left in a real hurry.....Once again a straight up boost in the light winds and a recovery about 800 ft from the pad.

Marie ?. stepped up to the pad with Joe B's Initiator on a G35-4W. 5,4,3,2,1 and the the G lit with authority.. the ROAR resonating off the ice thru the valley... very kool sound.
The extra boost of the G sent the initiator coasting quite a bit in the kool air... recovery was about 2000 ft down range but on the lake.

Kristina B made the final flight of the day with Bobby B's Initiator on yet another G35-4W.
We angled the pad to try to bring this one in closer on the recovery but she still drifted down range about 1500 ft.

In all it was a good launch day, the snowmobile recovery is a great plus on the lake. We only got off 6 flights because of a late start. spent most of the day snowmobiling and snow boarding. H and I flights were scrubbed due to the low ceiling. We had 2 Silver bullets ready to go on an I357T and H242T  if the cloud base lifted.

We expect to have one more lake launch this season [ weather and ICE permitting ]

Please email me if you are interested in attending. Email

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