Colorado Aerial Rocket Circus VII – April 17, 1999

By Bruce
Markielewski


    Our annual spring
event, the Colorado Aerial Rocket Circus VII was held on
April 17th, with 13 competitors participating in the
contest. Once again, we had a great day of flying, with
little win or clouds to contend with!

    In “C” division, “A”
Flexi-wing Duration appeared to be won by Bruce
Markielewski, until Ed O’Neill arrived, floated his first
glider away after an 11 minute flight. Bruce held on to
second place, while Mel captured third. In the “A/B”
division, newcomer Kalen Meine surprised Paul Gray with
an outstanding 5 minute flight for first
place.

    “B” Rocket Glider
Duration was a bit more challenging, as only two
contestants were able to qualify both flights. Design and
structural integrity appeared to be the key in this
event, as Mel Gray edged Kathleen Williams for first
place, with Paul’s single flight enough for
third.

    Parachute Spot
Landing was as usual, the most popular event. While it’s
a simple event to build, it still requires some flying
skill to do well. Bruce landed closest to the spot with a
6 meter flight, while five competitors battled for second
place within 5 meters of each other. Ed O’Neill won the
battle, followed by Chris Pine and Jeff Blinn. Two “A”
divisioners competed for first in their division, but
neither were able to land within the 50 meter limit for
placing in the event.

Super-rocketeers     A Super-roc lifts off!
    Probably the most
anticipated event was “D” Super-roc Altitude, with six
participants competing. Scoring is based on the rocket’s
length in centimeters times the altitude in meters, so
the tallest or highest flight doesn’t necessarily win!
All of the competitors had decent flights, but Paul had
the best combination of the day, winning the event and
setting a NAR “B” division record with 146880 points.
Bruce was second, also setting a record in  NAR “C”
division with 90000 points, closely followed by Todd
Williams and MelGray. Bruce also flew and set a NAR
“C”  Super-roc Altitude record, using the same
model, but a “C” engine instead of a “D”.

    Overall, Paul took
first place, closely followed by his dad, Mel. Bruce was
a close third, followed by Ed, who only flew in two of
the four events.

    Thanks to everyone
who participated and helped with the timing and tracking!
Special thanks to Kathleen, who helped with running the
contest and keeping everything running smoothly
throughout the day!

“A” Flexi-wing Duration (WF 18)
Pl.
Contestant
Div.
      Flt 1
      Flt 2
     Total
   Pl. Pts.
   Total
     NAR
1
Ed O’Neill
C
11:08
2:02
13:10
10
360
360
2
Bruce Markielewski
C
1:28
1:07
2:35
6
216
216
3
Mel Gray
C
0:40
1:11
1:51
4
144
144
4
Carlin Lowry

C
0:17
0:18
0:35
2
72
72
1
Kalen Meine
A
2:13
5:07
7:20
10
360
—-
2

Paul Gray

B
0:47
2:12
2:59
6
216
360
B” Rocket
Glider Duration (WF 21)
Pl.
Contestant
Div.
Flt 1
Flt 2
Total
Pl. Pts.
Total
NAR
1
Mel Gray
C
1:11
1:36
2:47
10
420
420
2
Kathleen Williams
C
1:18
0:45
2:03
6
252
252
3
Paul Gray
B
1:25
NF
1:25
4
168
168
4
Bruce Markielewski
C
DQ
0:52
0:52
2
84
84
5

Todd Williams
C
0:37
NF
0:37
1
42
42
“D” Super-roc Altitude (WF 17)
Pl.
Contestant
Div.
Lngth.
Alt.
Points
Pl. Pts.
Total
NAR
1
Paul Gray – 1
B
153
960
146880
10
340
340
Paul Gray – 2
B
202
310
62620
—-
—-
—-
2
Bruce Markielewski – 1
C
300
300
90000
6
204
204
Bruce Markielewski – 2
C
300
NT
—-
—-
—-
—-
3
Todd Williams
C
300
284
85200
4
136
136
4
Mel Gray
C
203
360
73080
2
68
68
5
Jeff Blinn
C
270
197
53190
1
34
34
6
Carlin Lowry – 1
C
172
165
28380
1
34
34
Carlin Lowry – 2

C
172
163
28036
—-
—-
—-
“C” Super-roc Altitude (Record Attempt)
Bruce Markielewski

C
250
112
28000
Parachute Spot Landing (WF 4)
Pl.
Contestant
Div.
Meters
Pl. Pts.
Total
NAR
1
Bruce Markielewski
C
6
10
80
80
2
Ed O’Neill
C
12
6
48
48
3
Chris Pine
C
15
4
32
—-
4
Jeff Blinn
C
16
2
16
32
5
Mel Gray
C
18
1
8
16
6
Kathleen Williams
C
19
1
8
8
7
Paul Gray
B
24
1
8
8
8
Todd Williams
C
36
1
8
8
8
Carlin Lowry
C
42
1
8
8
10

Tom Bell
C
50+
FP
8
8
x
Tucker Saye
A
50+
FP
8
—-
x

Blake Harvey
A
50+
FP
8
—-
Overall Standings
Div.
A FW
B RG
D SRA
PSL
Total
1
Paul Gray
B
216
168
340
8
732
2
Mel Gray
C
144
420
68
8
640
3
Bruce Markielewski
C
216
84
204
80
584
4
Ed O’Neill
C
360
—-
—-
48
408
5
Kalen Meine
A
360
—-
—-
—-
360
6
Kathleen Williams
C
—-
252
—-
8
260
7
Todd Williams
C
—-
42
136
8
186
8
Carlin Lowry
C
72
—-
34
8
114
9
Jeff Blinn
C
—-
—-
34
16
50
10
Chris Pine
C
—-
—-
—-
32
32
11
Tom Bell
C
—-
—-
—-
8
8
12
Tucker Saye
A
—-
—-
—-
8
8
13
Blake Harvey
A
—-
—-
—-
8
8