New BRB FAQ
 
Just in case you missed it BRB now has a FAQ! While it will expand with time, the basis of everything you need to know about flying with BRB is now on the website here: http://www.birminghamrocketboys.com/ClubInfo/BRBFAQ.pdf
 
There are some new and specific things everyone who fly's with BRB must know and plan for before attending the next launch, so please take 5 minutes to read through the FAQ.
 
Bragg Middle School
 
On May 15th George, David, Ron, Steward, Suzy, Verna and I were at Bragg Middle School for the 3rd time in as many years, to assist science teacher Candice Kiser with Rocket Day 2009. This year was the biggest Rocket Day yet as 278 rockets went up, with almost as many coming down. Only 1 got caught on a power line and even it came down later in the day when the wind changed direction, so all 278 were recovered and returned.
 
Last year's bead bespangled rockets were replaced with ribbons this time around. The guys had some wicked paint schemes of their own and many of the girls color- coordinated their rockets with their shirts and blouses. Glitter remained a popular decoration and only one had filled the launch lug with paint. It was cleared and the young lady made a nice flight.
 
When you launch that many rockets in one day you can really see the difference in engine batches. While everyone flew using A8-3's the altitudes reached, smoke and noise, not to mention the ejections, were pretty varied.
 
From the students, to the teachers, to those providing ground support, everyone had a great time flying with some well behaved students. Going to Bragg is always a good time for BRB Outreach!
 
To finish up 2008-2009 school outreach, George & Steward assisted science teacher Jill Hickey at Gresham Elementary with a last minute launch May 29th. The weather was very nice as the kids had a great last day of school. Check out the images section for the photos!
 
BRB Regional Contest
 
The weather forecast for May 16th looked horrible but we took a chance anyway and our first NAR Regional Contest was a success! It was a bit damp that morning and we had a brief light shower as we were setting things up but the storms stayed in the distance and 1 or 2 even moved around us but the rest of the day was actually pretty nice. Not too warm and a slight breeze around 5 mph.
 
The lawn darts were coming fast and frequently at the contest and I managed to DQ on both of my 1/2 A parachute duration flights with my shock cord snapping at ejection both times. Suzy managed to keep her amazing string of chute failures intact for yet another month, but there's good news on that problem - or maybe a warning for those attending next month's launch at Jemison. Suzy is moving up to HPR and going for her level 1 that day. So no more failed Estes chutes! I do recommend everyone bring a steel umbrella or hard hat just in case Suzy manages to lawn dart her level 1 attempt. OUCH!
 
Steward Jones won the contest for the 2nd time. Congrats to Steward!
 
To see all of BRB's May events be sure to visit the images section of the BRB website.
 
June HPR Launch At Jemison
 
In June we'll be going down to Jemison to open the new HPR field. If you haven't flown your HPR stuff in a while June is the time to do it! The launch will be a rare 2nd Saturday event on June 13th. Moving the launch for June will make it possible for those who are going to Southern Thunder to make both launches.
 
A map and directions to the field in Jemison is now on the website. Please remember to read the FAQ for Jemison specific rules, before you come down.
 
BRB Bits and Pieces
 
1. Next Meeting: July 12, 2009 at Alacom Finance, 2-4pm. Due to some lease changes we will be meeting in a different room at Alacom but still in the same building. There will be more on that later, watch your email.
 
2. If you haven't already done so, please get your 2009 membership dues in to David now.
 
3. The July 19th launch will feature our celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, as we fly all of our NASA vehicles, and that will be followed by a night launch. The launch will start a little later that day at 2:00pm and go until 9:15. Please see the BRB FAQ for night launch rules and guidelines.
 
4. We still have a few BRB golf shirts, t-shirts, sweats and ball caps available. See the BRB website store for inventory available and prices or email me: randyolb@hotmail.com
 
That's it for now except to say, Please read the FAQ!  
 
Randy