The February HARA launch was scrubbed until it was March 1 before we got it off. Then the next monthly launch was on for March 8 and we went for it to have back to back flying and catch up from the weather. Both days were windy but within limits so the launches proceeded. The first date had fair traffic with about 40 flights for the day, but the regular date was busy with over 70 launches. At least 5 college teams attended. As always, the rockets and the rocketeers did not disappoint.

About the time you reach middle age you stop counting the birthdays like you used to, maybe because of the math, and begin to round off saying you are “forty-something”. HARA has been around awhile, has done a lot, and is still doing. It’s worth a moment to remember and appreciate that.

January paused its wintery precip and allowed the club to fly on a cold but clear day. The road on the farm was fine for cars but there were slick muddy spots in the field requiring rocketeers to ‘walk without rhythm’ like on Dune to get through the peril. The new launch policy is if the regularly scheduled launch on the second Saturday is scrubbed, the fourth Saturday becomes the next attempt. This month that worked out with a fair number of attendees and over 60 flights for the day including the annual ‘Geezer TARC’ shootout.

The Propel Science Foundation (PSF) invited HARA back to the old Courtland airport 12/7 for a day of open sport flying. Having established the old airport as a launch field the director of PSF, Andrew Heath, set up the date as a possibly reoccurring event, which is exciting news for north Alabama rocketeers. HARA brought the range equipment and personnel to support all levels of rockets. The clear calm air allowed high flights with big and small motors. Parking on the runway was great, the large recovery space was great, rockets landing on the concrete -not so much. About 45 models were launched.

A national high power sport launch less than 7 hours drive from Huntsville was enough to attract some HARA members to attend and fly. The NAR had sanctioned an event in the west around Memorial Day and NSL East was held November 23-25 in a SE Georgia cotton field hosted by the Southern Area Rocketry (SoAR) section with 230 registered flyers and many spectators and supporters. The three days had 750 flights total– 368 flights Saturday including a night launch, 275 flights Sunday, and 107 flights Monday.  SoAR often hosts a regional fall launch on this field but this year it went national.

The weather was clear every day and perfect for high flights. Stan put up a bird to 8K’ and got it back, Doug flew his Level 2 certification attempt and Vince burned two H’s, two I’s and a J motor. Many cool rockets of all power levels were on parade on the flight line and on the pads. A beautiful giant scale 12′ tall Saturn V had a majestic liftoff unfortunately without all it’s motors lit. It went up only a few hundred feet and laid over defeated by gravity. Most of the other flights were much better as modelers successfully showed off their craftsmanship and flying skills.

See this excellent news coverage at

https://fox5atlanta.com/video/1562547

Despite the low ceiling HARA got out to the field for the November launch. Flyers were advised to only bring medium motors to stay under the clouds and they did. There were still plenty of sport flights, ARC practice rounds, student team projects and L1 certs to fill the morning. As rain drops began splattering at 12:30 everyone scrambled to pack up and go, but half a day on the range was better than nothing.