Colorado Model Rocketry Championships IV – November 19, 1994

By Bruce Markielewski

    We had a weather postponement in
October, and our rescheduled November 19th date seemed to
be in jeopardy, as the forecasts all week were for snow
throughout the weekend. But as is typical for Denver, the
predictions were wrong, and we awoke to a great day,
perfect to hold our fourth annual Colorado Model Rocketry
Championships event. It was cold when we arrived, and a
thin layer of snow covered the launch area, but calm
winds and blue skies prevailed throughout the day. We had
only six participants, but the contest was very
competitive. Three regulars in our area events, Ed
O’Neill, Bruce Markielewski, and COSROCS’ Dave Nauer were
in attendance. First time competitor Don Nelson did well
entering three events. Chris Brickley and Michael Geck
each entered the Sport Scale event with some fine models.
Kevin Kuczek, the current “C” Division National Champion,
elected to rest on his laurels and not enter. Instead, he
performed the scale judging duties, helped time
the duration events, and assisted others in prepping
their models. Mike Mikkelsen also attended, but did not
enter, choosing instead to just learn from the
veterans.

    Ed captured the “1/2A” Flexi-wing
event with one great flight of over three minutes. Don
and Bruce fought it out for second place, but Don
prevailed after his second flight exceeded two minutes.
Dave flew his giant “D” flexi-wing twice, but the large
wing span couldn’t compensate for the low altitudes
attained.

    “B” Rocket Glider was all Bruce’s as
his initial flight was more than enough to secure first
place. Ed used his Estes Tomcat in two short sixteen
second flights, but was able to hold second place. Don
had problems with a couple of untried designs, but
managed third place, as Dave shredded his model on an
Apogee B7-4.

    “C” Streamer was hotly contested, but
Ed’s superior design overwhelmed the others. He only
needed two flights, but he also required the assistance
of a couple of friendly fisherman to recover one flight
from the middle of Bear Creek Lake! Dave overcame a first
flight separation to hold off Bruce and Don who each
CATO’s and separations to overcome. Both had to repair
models on the site, but Bruce was able to capture third
on his final flight.

    Sport Scale would be determined by
whoever could manage a successful flight. Bruce’s Apollo
Lunar Module lead in the static points, but the rest
followed closely as all models were nicely done. Dave had
the only casualty, as his normally reliable Little Joe II
landed hard when the ‘chute tangled. Ed’s Titan IIIE,
Mike’s Honest John, and Chris’ Black Brandt II all flew
nicely. Everyone wondered if the Lunar Module would
finally fly successfully, after a crash at Pikes Peak or
Blast V. The model was lighter this time, and flying on a
D12-0 booster engine. The liftoff was slow but stable,
and the draggy model’s flight was short and not very
high. Still, the parachute opend in time to provide a
safe recovery, ensuring Bruce first in the scale
event.

    The dreaded “D” EggGlider fun event
was anything but, as we realized to late how difficult
this event would be. Ed’s model was damaged weeks ago
during a hand toss flight test, and he didn’t have time
to rebuild. That left Bruce and Dave to settle the issue.
Dave’s “Airplane-on-a-Broomstick” design bounced and
flipped it’s way to destruction, and a DQ. Still, his egg
amazingly survived the ordeal. Bruce’s more conventional
design did one giant loop before landing hard on the
parking lot, breaking both the model and his egg. With no
qualified flights, we decided to remove the event from
the contest. Still, it was an enjoyable event to attempt and
watch, and the challenge to fly a “D” EggGlider
successfully, is still unfulfilled!

    The overall contest winner was a
surprise as Ed O’Neill just barely edged Bruce for the
1994 championship title. With wins in the two highest
valued events, Bruce appeared to be the winner, but Ed’s
consistency with two firsts and two seconds proved to be
just enough for the title! Ed has been improving every
time out since entering competition three years ago, and
the win is well deserved.

    Don’s fine showing in three events
netted him third, not bad for a  first-timer. He’ll
definitely be back! Dave had some bad luck this time, but
his never quit attitude awarded him fourth place
overall.

    Thanks to everyone who participated
and helped run the competition, making it another
successful C.R.A.S.H. contest! We will be looking forward
to COSROCS’ Winterfest V in Colorado Springs on January
7th!

“1/2A” Flexi-wing Duration (WF 17)
Pl.
Contestant
Flight 1
Flight 2
    Times
   Pl. Pts.
  Tot. Pts.
NAR PP
NAR Total
1
Edward O’Neill
224
NF
224
10
170
20
340
2
Don Nelson
16
141
157
6
102
12
204
3
Bruce Markielewski 
76
48
124
4
68
8
136
4

David Nauer
46
30
76
2
34
4
68
“B” Rocket Glider Duration (WF 21)
Pl.
Contestant
Flight 1
Flight 2
Times
PP
TP
NAR PP
NAR Total
1
Bruce Markielewski
61
15
76
10
210
20
420
2
Edward O’Neill
16
16
32
6
126
12
252
3
Don Nelson
DQ
8
8
4
84
8
168
4

David Nauer
DQ
DQ
DQ
0
0
0
0
“C” Streamer Duration – Multi Round (WF 14)
Pl.
Contestant
Flight 1
Flight 2
Flight 3
Times
PP
TP
NAR PP
NAR Total
1
Edward O’Neill
206
MAX
NF
446
10
140
20
280
2
David Nauer
DQ
167
150
317
6
84
12
168
3
Bruce Markielewski
104
DQ
106
210
4
56
8
112
4

Don Nelson
65
DQ
49
114
2
28
4
56
Sport Scale (WF 20)
Pl.
Contestant
Flight
Static
Score
PP
TP
NAR PP
NAR Total
1
Bruce Markielewski
692
100
792
10
200
20
400
2
Edward O’Neill
621
85
706
6
120
12
240
3
Michael Geck (B)
458
110
568
4
80
4
David Nauer
465
60
525
2
40
8
160
5

Chris Brickley
379
110
489
1
20
4
80
Pl.
Overall Standings
FW
RG
SD
SS
Total
1
Edward O’Neill
170
126
140
120
556
2
Bruce Markielewski
68
210
56
200
534
3
Don Nelson
102
84
28
214
4
David Nauer
34
0
84
40
158
5
Michael Geck (B)
80
80
6

Chris Brickley
20
20
Pl.
NAR Standings
FW
RG
SD
SS
Total
1
Edward O’Neill
340
252
280
240
1112
2
Bruce Markielewski
136
420
112
400
1068
3
Don Nelson
204
168
56
428
4
David Nauer
68
0
168
160
396
5

Chris Brickley
80
80
Pl.
Section Standings
Open
NAR
1
C.R.A.S.H.
1404
2688
2
COSROCS
158
396