GAITHERSBURG, Maryland USA — ROCKETS Magazine has stepped up to the plate to sponsor the Maryland/Delaware Rocketry Association's Mach Madness contest to be held this year at the Tripoli Rocketry Association's LDRS 27 event in Argonia, Kansas, this August 28th.

The goals in the Mach Madness contest are to build and fly the rocket that ascends at the highest speed while staying under the waiver and to HAVE FUN! The contest gives all participating rocketeers the chance to put your "Motor Where Your Mouth Is" and show us "Who Is The Baddest In The Land". Prizes will be awarded from the generous donations by our Vendors. The person who flies the fastest rocket in the Mach Madness Contest will be called "The Fastest at LDRS 27". He or she will have the bragging rights to being "The Baddest In The Land".

Mach Madness is a skill event that will test the fliers’ ability to master all the elements necessary to survive high speed flights. Mach Madness will put you on center stage, where your abilities to design, simulate, build, fly and recover your project will be demonstrated at the biggest launch of the year.

LDRS 27 Mach Madness Rules

Upon satisfying the TRA and LDRS 27 launch requirements the rules for Mach Madness are as follows:

• Stay under your waiver.
• The rocket must ascend intact.
• The judges must be able to read the data from the altimeter.
• The rocket can be damaged on landing, get caught in power lines, trees, etc.
• There must be a recording altimeter on board.
• The judges will accept data downloaded from commercially available data-logging altimeters including:
  ARTS I, (Data Analyzer V1.5),
  ARTS II (Data Analyzer V1.6.1),
  Altacc (Flight Analyzer V1.04),
  G-Wiz (Fight Viewer V2.8.1),
  RDAS (V 3.6) and
  Perfectflite (MiniALT/WD) (See note 3 below.)
• The altimeter data are downloaded into the Judge(s) onsite laptop after the flight.
• You have until the end of the Mach Madness to find and download your altimeter.
• The highest recorded Velocity will determine the winner.
• Judges' decisions are final.

Registration will occur at the ROCKETS Magazine tent daily during the launch. Get your rocket RSO’d and step over and sign up for Mach Madness.

Downloading of flight data will occur at the ROCKETS Magazine tent at times posted at the launch.

Mach Madness Flights will be clearly indicated on the flight cards.

Vendors that want to show their support for the fliers that are participating in Mach Madness can send their intent and prize listings to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Since the event will run through Tuesday of the Research Launch, we are suggesting that the participating vendors provide gift certificates that will be used as prizes, as some of the winners may leave the launch before the end of the event. All participating Vendors will be prominently displayed on the ROCKETS Magazine web site and featured in the up coming cover to cover issue of LDRS 27 in ROCKETS Magazine.

Some of TRA and LDRS 27 launch requirements to keep in mind:

1. All flights must conform to the TRA Safety Code and KloudBusters field limitations, including the following:

Metal in High Power Rocket Construction

RSO Guidelines

High Power Safety Code

LDRS 27 Flyer Info - http://www.ldrs27.org/flyerinfo.cfm

2. Procedures for flights over 25,000 feet

If you wish to make a flight to over 25,000 feet you must obtain prior approval from the Board of Directors. The application must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the planned flight, to allow prior time to review your application.

25K Application (RTF)
25K Application (PDF)

The LDRS 27 RSO’s and Organizing Committee(s) will have the final say whether your project makes it to the pad or not. Once you have complied with the above-stated rules, you can register for Mach Madness.

3. Note regarding Perfectflite and other altimeters: The data logging PerfectFlite altimeter records at 20 samples per second. Differencing the data using a 20 iteration lag has been tested as a way to determine maximum velocity. The judges will use this method to determine maximum velocity of your rocket if you use this altimeter.

There are other commercially available data logging altimeters. The judges do not own and are not familiar with them. The judges have access to those listed in the rules above. If you have another commercially available data logging altimeter that reports maximum velocity in the software (examples are PICO and Control) and you can load the analysis software on to the judges’ laptop on the field, it may be allowed. Judges decisions are final.

02-14-2008 10:32 PM  #1
SmokeinJoe Crazier every day L3#7764   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 56	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Ok, I gotta ask. Are Research motors allowed in the Mach Madness Contest? Please say yes. I didn't see any mention of commercial motors only. And, anyone know what velocity the winner achieved last year? Yea I know, MDRA doesn't have a 50K waiver. Just wondering.

02-14-2008 10:46 PM  #2
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 569	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Are non-member "visitors" from other clubs allowed?

02-14-2008 11:12 PM  #3
landru Certified Level Two   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 37	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Currently Mach 1.88 on a 38mm 1050Ns EX motor. It will be (hopefully) well over Mach 2 by the time LDRS rolls around. The waiver is 16.9k. I have a feeling Mach 3.4+ will be seen at LDRS.

02-15-2008 12:00 AM  #4
Steve_Shannon Will fly beer for rockets   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1657	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Quote: I have a feeling Mach 3.4+ will be seen at LDRS. "Seen" might not be quite the right word. That's going too fast for my eyes. But I hope to hear where it used to be.

02-15-2008 12:24 AM  #5
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Adrian, The new batch of Parrots ready yet?

02-15-2008 01:15 AM  #6
SQUEEK42984 Level 3   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 45	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Im still curious as to what those who use strictly aluminum airframes will be doing to enter this contest.

02-15-2008 01:50 AM  #7
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 I hope they are disallowed, and folks carefully inspect AF construction. Do we need a metal detector? I think so.

02-15-2008 04:18 AM  #8
agrippo Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 71	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 From the LDRS 27 website: Aluminum Rockets at Argonia Rockets launched at Argonia may not be constructed of all aluminum or other metals. Aluminum fin cans or nose cones will be permitted only if required to ensure structural integrity of the rocket during a high-performance launch. Absolutely no aluminum airframes or fins attached directly to motor cases will be permitted under any circumstances. Any metal structural components (nosecones or fins/fin cans) must be painted. Screws, rivets, nuts, washers, and other non-structural small components are exempt from this restriction. Please contact the This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ">KloudBusters prefect for further details.

02-15-2008 05:43 AM  #9
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 agrippo, True with some exceptions for LDRS generally. This event should make none IMHO. As there is no mention of motor, I guess this is like top fuelie unlimited. I would still like to see a commercial class.

02-15-2008 08:40 AM  #10
landru Certified Level Two   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 37	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 We will have a thin walled carbon version which is allowed to fly. (or so we've been led to believe.) It won't be quite as fast though. ~Andrew

02-15-2008 09:17 AM  #11
SmokeinJoe Crazier every day L3#7764   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 56	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Quote: The waiver is 16.9k That's the MDRA waiver right?

02-15-2008 10:52 AM  #12
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Right. My understanding is 50K. That gives you some room to sloooow back down.

02-15-2008 11:32 AM  #13
SmokeinJoe Crazier every day L3#7764   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 56	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 If I can make it and get 25K+ approval, I'll fly some propellant very close to what's in my avitar It uh,...was,.. a 7.5" bird http://i25.photobucket.com...er%20Sandhawk/scott2.jpg

02-15-2008 03:23 PM  #14
SQUEEK42984 Level 3   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 45	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 I also would like to see a commercial class and ex on account I dont mix my own motors yet. That seems to limit what I can pull off of a commercial motor.

02-15-2008 08:23 PM  #15
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 569	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Quote: Right. My understanding is 50K. That gives you some room to sloooow back down. Since speed is the ONLY issue, perhaps air brakes on motor burnout are the strategy to speed within the waiver. It would also eliminate the need for a drogue at apogee. Just Jerry Contest junkie and first winner of TRA Beerloft J motor contest. Okay, I have had a few NAR records too, but come on, Beerloft . . . .

02-16-2008 07:24 AM  #16
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Interesting. Our prefect of Tripoli-Volorado, Davis T, participated in a NASA sponsored event--there the idea was to break Mach 1 but also keep altitude at or near a mile IIRC. With a small very fast motor like the H1000, I believe its fairly manageable task, but take something like a J540, air brakes would be a great idea (or retro burn on the way up ).

02-16-2008 07:35 AM  #17
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Quote: I also would like to see a commercial class and ex on account I dont mix my own motors yet. That seems to limit what I can pull off of a commercial motor. Agreed. If there is a commercial class, I think staging has to be the way to go. I haven't looked into the problem yet in any kind of detail, but off hand Warp 9 would seem to offer some interesting possibilities.

02-16-2008 09:23 AM  #18
DAllen Certified Level One   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 15	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 I have a 16" spool with an H180 I am going to enter. Phear my rokit. -DAllen

02-16-2008 11:49 AM  #19
Steve_Shannon Will fly beer for rockets   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1657	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Quote: I have a 16" spool with an H180 I am going to enter. Phear my rokit. -DAllen Is this a hi-lo split event?

02-16-2008 12:42 PM  #20
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 A pair of ducks is all one needs at times--watch while all these super tech rockets come loose at the seams and every where else--and some relatively tame flight nails the pot. Speaking of pots, is this just for bragging rights or anyone interested in some er, collateral action?

02-16-2008 01:35 PM  #21
DAllen Certified Level One   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 15	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Quote: Is this a hi-lo split event? Absolutely not. I plan on taking it all with that setup. I think I might have to add some weight to keep it under the 50k waiver... PHEAR MY ROKIT -DAllen (roflol)

02-17-2008 11:49 AM  #22
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 So all of those who would like to see two divisions: one unlimited for ex, and another confined to comercial and currently certified motors, say AYE. The advantages of having a separate commercial class are pretty obvious: greater participation, as not everyone is capable of rolling the high L/D motors (or any other for that matter) but still want to go fast, and would like to test their mettle.

02-18-2008 11:13 PM  #23
landru Certified Level Two   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 37	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 I think the spirit of the event is to have everyone enter the same contest with the same rules, regardless of whether you do EX or not. Hence, the "Baddest in the Land" title to the winner. It's not like the winner is guaranteed to be EX. Don't forget, everything is a compromise. Use commercial motors, potentially go slower, but have a MUCH lower chance of a CATO, which levels the field. Therefore competition should remain all-inclusive. If you really feel EX is a must, team up with someone to make a motor and push your limits a bit further. ~Andrew Diehl

02-19-2008 12:08 AM  #24
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 569	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 Since I an specifically excluded from the contest by carefully crafted TRA policies over the years, I challenge the winner. Just Jerry

02-19-2008 09:22 AM  #25
denverdoc Rana sapiens   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1738	Re: ROCKETS Magazine to sponsor Mach Madness at LDRS 27 andrew, I don't see that using commercial you have a MUCH lower chance of cato--depends on geometry and propellant type. Now if you really wanted to push the envelope with say something like Mike Binders's 16 grain 38 or something like a Kosdon L5400, then agreed. Thats a calculated risk, and more power to you or anyone else for taking it. All I'm suggesting is separate recognition/prizez for the fastest commercial and currently certified motors. I still say this will invite greater participation as there are not that many folks who have either the hardware or experience to do these fence post motors. I don't know any here in Colorado who make a habit of such and we fly our share of EX. The baddest in the land will remain, when all is said and done, whoever achieves the highest speed--period.