Quote from Eric Becher on October 19, 2026, 4:12 pm
October 18th, 2026 Launch Report
Finally, after weeks of delay - What a beautiful day for a launch!
Engine totals:
8 – 1/2A Engines
8 – A Engines
15 – B Engines
15 – C Engines
6 – D Engines
10 – E Engines
7 – F Engines
1 – G Engines
Total of 70 engines on 66 flights.
The weather reports called for a bit of breeze, but that was not really the case. Winds were light or nonexistent. Many flights went straight up, and straight down, landing close to the pads. Sunny, blue skies and nice temperature around 60 made for one of the best days in recent memory. Unfortunately, as often happens with rescheduled launches, the crowd was light. If you missed it, you missed a really nice day!
As befitting an October launch, there were a lot of Halloween rockets flying. There were ghosts, bats, gords, pumpkins, skeletons, and of course, Goblins! There was even Charlie’s “Witch’s Hat”, although it was almost done in by an E12 CATO! “Oh, what a world, what a world! Who would have thought a good little [motor] like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness!" Bill and Eric both flew ghosts and skeletons. Maybe we should have a “who flew it better” contest? The variety of flying pumpkins and gords was interesting. Different approaches were taken, and some were not as stable as their builders. But all good fun. Manav and Eric flew their Goblins in an attempted drag race. It was more like a staggered start though. Just the sheer variety of Halloween rockets is fun to see. Jo Ann even flew everybody’s favorite, “Candy Corn Anyone?” To go with the Candy Corn, Eric & Jo Ann also offered some oatmeal raisin cookies, some with Pumpkin spice chips – ‘cause it’s that time of year! (bring your own latte)
There were a few gliders flying, from Dan, Bill, and Linden. They flew fairly well, especially Dan’s “Astron Invader”. A couple of boosters flew too, with great success, by Chris and Eric.
Congrats to Adriaan for his first flight ever, a nice, tall “Black Panther” that made a couple of flights. Henri also flew his nice “New Horizon” on a big F67. It went pretty high and ended up in a tree… right next to where one of mine went a few years ago. And many others too. You’re in good company Henri! Don’t give up all hope. Sometimes we get lucky and the wind blows them loose.
Finally, “Go big, or go home!” Jeremy made a few nice flights to great heights. He even got his wondering “Majestic” back from across the road in short order. (For those who don’t know, Jeremy likes to fly his “Majestic” pretty high, and often has to hunt around for hours to find it.)
In case you missed it, there are pictures in the GALLERY. A video too, if you like spinning pumpkins! Note that per Brian’s suggestion, I am uploading higher resolution pictures.
Our favorite rocket vendor Joe of Rocketship Games made an appearance, thanks to the delayed launch. Always good to see Joe, and he got a few nice flights in himself. A business expense no doubt, under the category of “research.”
The next launch is scheduled for November 1st. If you have any leftover October/Halloween rockets, feel free to bring them too. It’s close enough. Or you could bring out your “Día de los Muertos” rockets. Extra points for anyone who shows up in full “Day of the Dead” make up and costume! It is also close enough to Turkey Day, if anyone has any flying turkeys!
October 18th, 2026 Launch Report
Finally, after weeks of delay - What a beautiful day for a launch!
Engine totals:
8 – 1/2A Engines
8 – A Engines
15 – B Engines
15 – C Engines
6 – D Engines
10 – E Engines
7 – F Engines
1 – G Engines
Total of 70 engines on 66 flights.
The weather reports called for a bit of breeze, but that was not really the case. Winds were light or nonexistent. Many flights went straight up, and straight down, landing close to the pads. Sunny, blue skies and nice temperature around 60 made for one of the best days in recent memory. Unfortunately, as often happens with rescheduled launches, the crowd was light. If you missed it, you missed a really nice day!
As befitting an October launch, there were a lot of Halloween rockets flying. There were ghosts, bats, gords, pumpkins, skeletons, and of course, Goblins! There was even Charlie’s “Witch’s Hat”, although it was almost done in by an E12 CATO! “Oh, what a world, what a world! Who would have thought a good little [motor] like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness!" Bill and Eric both flew ghosts and skeletons. Maybe we should have a “who flew it better” contest? The variety of flying pumpkins and gords was interesting. Different approaches were taken, and some were not as stable as their builders. But all good fun. Manav and Eric flew their Goblins in an attempted drag race. It was more like a staggered start though. Just the sheer variety of Halloween rockets is fun to see. Jo Ann even flew everybody’s favorite, “Candy Corn Anyone?” To go with the Candy Corn, Eric & Jo Ann also offered some oatmeal raisin cookies, some with Pumpkin spice chips – ‘cause it’s that time of year! (bring your own latte)
There were a few gliders flying, from Dan, Bill, and Linden. They flew fairly well, especially Dan’s “Astron Invader”. A couple of boosters flew too, with great success, by Chris and Eric.
Congrats to Adriaan for his first flight ever, a nice, tall “Black Panther” that made a couple of flights. Henri also flew his nice “New Horizon” on a big F67. It went pretty high and ended up in a tree… right next to where one of mine went a few years ago. And many others too. You’re in good company Henri! Don’t give up all hope. Sometimes we get lucky and the wind blows them loose.
Finally, “Go big, or go home!” Jeremy made a few nice flights to great heights. He even got his wondering “Majestic” back from across the road in short order. (For those who don’t know, Jeremy likes to fly his “Majestic” pretty high, and often has to hunt around for hours to find it.)
In case you missed it, there are pictures in the GALLERY. A video too, if you like spinning pumpkins! Note that per Brian’s suggestion, I am uploading higher resolution pictures.
Our favorite rocket vendor Joe of Rocketship Games made an appearance, thanks to the delayed launch. Always good to see Joe, and he got a few nice flights in himself. A business expense no doubt, under the category of “research.”
The next launch is scheduled for November 1st. If you have any leftover October/Halloween rockets, feel free to bring them too. It’s close enough. Or you could bring out your “Día de los Muertos” rockets. Extra points for anyone who shows up in full “Day of the Dead” make up and costume! It is also close enough to Turkey Day, if anyone has any flying turkeys!
Admin and William have reacted to this post.
AdminWilliam
Several CENJARS Forums are only available or visible to CENJARS members.
