FOR THOSE OF YOU who do not know me, here is a brief introduction. My name is Deidre and I am married to Kurt Kesler. Some of you may know him from the UseNET News group rec.models.rockets. I do not, as yet, build or fly my own rockets. Instead, I am a "paint and finish" consultant of sorts. But, who can tell? I may eventually surprise a whole lot of folks and show up at a future TARA launch with my very own rocket . . . maybe. For now, though, I enjoy being a devoted rocket wife too much to get my hands covered in epoxy resin, sanding residue, and other such artifacts of rocket construction. Now I'd like to share my take on LDRS.

Deidre preparing propellant slugs for Tripoli Atlanta's group project. Click to enlarge.

First, it was both larger and smaller than I expected. Yes, that seems contradictory but let me explain. It was larger in that there were, according to the LDRS XIX web site, more than 1200 flights by roughly 400 registered fliers. My prior launch experiences have been limited to TARA and GAMMA launches held at the late, lamented field in Perry, Georgia. I've seen coverage of LDRS XVIII on The Learning Channel and heard stories of NSL in Huntsville and other LDRS launches but they just didn't prepare me for the sheer size of it all. The canopies stretched for at least a half-mile on either side of Vendor Row. There were people everywhere! But what really impressed me was how friendly everyone was. I can't remember many names specifically but everyone I talked with and everyone sent by Ron of LOC/PRECISION to scope out our Warlock was fantastic. I felt like I was at an extended family reunion. I knew less than a handful of people present but still I felt welcome, even though I don't fly rockets.

Speaking of the vendors, I can honestly say that I have not met any other vendors that are as friendly and supportive as these folks. It's no wonder I encourage Kurt to spend money with, Missileworks, Pratt Hobbies, Rocketman, Sky High Rocketry, Smokin' Rockets, and especially, LOC/PRECISION. And now, I can't wait to see the Nadine Kinney's photographs of our Warlock under thrust and in flight!

LDRS XIX was smaller than anticipated due to more low and mid-powered flights than I expected. Granted, there were a lot of high-power flights (not including the approximate 40 scheduled "M"- powered launches). It just seemed that, given the scope and breadth of LDRS in general, fewer low and mid-power motors would have been flown or, at least, launched after the high power rockets. I sat and watched my husband prep, for a couple of hours, an upscale EZI-65 for flight on three J-350's using dual electronics. After clearing the RSO table and getting a pad assignment from the LCO, we discovered that another rocket, left over from the morning was still on the rail we had been assigned. Suffice it to say, we had a significant wait while both left and right side racks were launched before we could load our rocket. Another long wait - left side rockets are all launched. Cool! Our side is now cleared for launch. But, we're on pad 56 so, another half-hour passes before the EZI-65 tears through the sky on a beautiful flight. All in all, we waited at the range head for roughly two hours before our rocket was launched. In my uninformed estimation it seems that, given the greater prep time required for high-power rockets and the wait due to the number of registered fliers, it would make more sense in the long run to start with the high-power rockets and work down to low-power.

Looking back at the trials involved in launching the EZI, I can say that LDRS served as a classroom with the focus of the lesson on being . . . patient. Yes, boys and girls, I said patient. You could say that the school of LDRS teaches the necessity of effective recovery system preparation and design, the benefits of fiberglassing, and other such things. These are all appropriate and well founded but unless you are forbearing and stalwart, you can expect little return on your rocket building skills. It is a given that large launches will have long waits. Expect this, plan for it, and you will have a fine and relaxing time. Here are some tips that may help other first time attendees of large launches. First, if you fly more complex rockets, plan on one flight per day. Second, plan to fly first thing in the morning. The lines are shorter, the temperatures are relatively cooler, and then you have the afternoon to prep the next day's rocket and just shoot the breeze with folks. Third, be prepared for things to interfere with any plans you may make. This includes weather delays, aborted flights due to ignitor mishaps, or, heaven forbid, a no-go from the RSO.

The part of LDRS that exceeded my expectations was the "M"-powered flights. All I can say is "Wow!" Witnessing those launches both at the away-cell and along Canopy Row made it all worthwhile. I remember thinking, "This is what high-power means!" Observing some of these rockets, including Ky Michaelson's Bomb Pop, out at the away-cell was exhilarating and breathtaking. I am especially enraptured of the smoke and fury generated by Aerotech's M-1949 and Kosdon's M-2240 motors. The demonstration flights of the Kosdon's Skidmark and Green Gorilla motors were sights to behold. Needless to say, I can't wait for the day that Kurt gets his level 3 certification! If you go to LDRS (or any other large-scale launch) for no other reason, go for these launches. You won't be disappointed.

All in all, I had a wonderful experience at LDRS XIX. Although I got a lot of strange looks from co-workers upon telling them that I was going to a rocket launch for vacation, I had a better time. Let's face it, there just can't be that many alternatives to spending time outside in the fresh air and summer sun meeting wonderful people and seeing some awesome rockets ripping through the clear blue sky and then gently settling back to Earth under canopy.