DART Blog

TEST

2009-03-17T14:03:00.001-07:00

test

TEST

2009-03-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

TEST

Saturday March 14th 9am Launch!!

2009-03-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Ok Gang!

The City has Fiesta closed to traffic until 9 am tomorrow for the St Patrick's Day run. Sleep in a little! I'll be out there at 9 am to open the gate and get the gear out.

The launch is one of the featured events of the month long San Diego Science Festival as "T-minus 10 and counting..." There will be visitors from all over San Diego that have never seen rockets and new rocketeers that are flying for the first time. Let's put on a good show!

Everyone double check your rockets for safety! No too-tight nosecones, crimped body tubes, crumpled parachutes stuffed into a BT-20! Keep those motor properly retained and where they belong.

See you out there!

Sparky

March 14th - Saturday Launch! 9AM

2009-03-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

Ok gang!

The City has Fiesta closed till 9am with the St Patrick's day run. Sleep in a little! I'll be out at 9 am to open the gate and get the equipment out there.

We are being featured on the the month-long San Diego Science Festival events "T-minus 10 and counting....." so there will be visitors and new rocketeers.

Let's put on a good show everyone! Double check all rockets for safety and proper loading, no too tight nose cones, crimped body tubes, crumpled parachutes stuck in a BT-20! Keep those motors retained and where they belong.

Sparky7.2

DART board meeting and Silent Auction!

2009-02-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hey Gang!

The last of the high power and mid power kits, and some rare gems from Ballistic Bob's Bonanza will be up for silent auction at my house at 2:30pm after the launch Saturday.

The DART board of directors will be meeting at 1:00pm.

Please RSVP that you will be coming by as I'll have the grill fired up!

I'll send directions to my house when you RSVP.

I will have to bail from the launch no later than 11:30 - gear or no gear!

If it rains Saturday, come on over anyway!

Your illustrious El Presidente o'DART,

Sparky7.2

DART Contests

2009-02-23T17:46:00.000-08:00

DART will be having two contests, one in March and the other in May. The contests are open to DART members and all NAR members in the Southern California area. NAR membership is required.

What: DART Local Meet 09-1
When: Saturday, March 28, 2009, 8 AM to noon
Where: Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA
Events:
A Helicopter Duration
A Streamer Duration Multi-Round
Predicted Duration
Open Spot Landing (fun event)

What: DART Open Meet 09-2
When: Saturday, May 23, 2009, 8 AM to noon
Where: Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA
Events:
A B/G Duration
C Eggloft Duration
Plastic Model Conversion
Fun event TBA

Entry Fee: Free to DART members (included in club dues), $5 for other contestants.

If you would like to know more about contest flying, please contact Chris Flanigan at chris.flanigan@quartus.com for more information. We're always looking for new contestants and especially young contestants.

There is a launch March 28th!

2009-02-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Gang,

There's benn some confusion but I've verified with Parks & Rec that we DO have a launch
schedulled for the 28th of March. The contest that was moved to the 14th will be moved back - and the 14th will now be a practice contest. Sorry I missed the mistake so long!

Sparky7.2

Time For Annual Meeting!

2009-01-25T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Another great day for rockets - even if it was a bit windy and cold. There was a higher percentage of bay landings than in many months. A big thank you to John Thompson for procuring and bringing out the new DART rocket recovery vehicle, the big orange kayak!
I have to admit I was a bit hesitant when John told me his idea - but it paid off on the first launch it was available!

It's Annual meeting time! We are getting together at Gioanni's in Kearney Mesa, Friday February 6th at 7 pm.

All club members should try to attend. It will be a fun night of food, videos, and lots of rockets to giveaway! All new and renewed memberships will get to pick 3 rockets from the treasure trove left to the club by our long-time member and friend Ballistic Bob Princivalli.

We will be reading and discussing the new DART Club bylaws, electing, re-electing, and/or press-ganging this year's officers and board of directors. Only paid up memberships will be allowed to vote and draw from the rocket pile!

Offices to be filled/refilled/aforementioned press-ganged:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Senior/Section advisor (John correct me on this)

Currently the positions are held by:

President: Mike Jerauld
Vice President: John Bowman
Secretary: Todd Mullin
Treasurer: Mike Jerauld
Section Advisor: John Bowman

I'm happy to continue as president as long as the membership can stand me and my occasional yelling about aircraft in the area. We'll talk about the positions of "Member at Large" to bring the Board up to a minimum of 5 if no one takes on Treasurer from me.

If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to pick up your 3 rockets for renewing - you can give me a call and drop by the house!

See you there!!!

Mike (Sparky7.2) Jerauld

2009 DART Fiesta Island Launch Schedule

2008-12-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

Posted from an e-mail from John Bowman:

Greetings Fellow DART Members:

The Park and Recreation Department has issued our permit for the first 5 months of 2009.

Please put these dates on your calendar:

Thursday January 1, 2009 8:00am – 11:00am

Sunday January 11, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Sunday January 25, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Sunday February 15, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Saturday February 28, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Saturday March 14, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Saturday March 28, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Sunday April 12, 2009 8:00am – Noon

Sunday May 10, 2009 10:00am – Noon*

Saturday May 23, 2009 8:00am – Noon

*Please Note the May 10 launch is listed at 10:00am, normally we get access to the field at 9:00am. But please be prepared to wait if we are denied early access.

Mike Jerauld also has the field reserved on first Thursday of each month (2/5, 3/5, 4/2, 5/7), if you are interested in launching on one of these days please contact Mike directly.

We will also be scheduling a Club Meeting at Giovanni’s Pizza on Clairemont Mesa Blvd., the week of February 8, 2009. We need to amend the club’s bylaws, and will be electing the club’s officers and a Board of Directors. As an incentive: we will be handing out door prizes from Ballistic Bob’s Treasure Trove. Details will be forthcoming…

You must be a current (paid-up) member to vote & receive door prizes: dues are payable January 1, 2009.

Attached is a flyer with current launch schedules for DART & Tripoli-San Diego.

I hope you have a Happy New Year!

& I’ll see you at the Launch!

John Bowman

VP & Senior Advisor / DART

PS: If you have any questions, please contact me directly via email. If you do not want to be on this mail list, (SAN-DART), please contact Todd Mullin. - JLB

Sunday Dec 14 Launch - Weather Permitting

2008-12-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Hi Gang!

OK I'll be out there at 8 am and we will set up and launch as long as weather permits. The forecast is for cold (59º) and mild winds (10+). Rain in the afternoon.

We are expecting a 30+ scout contingent - they will be using the aux gear to the east as usual!

See you there!

Sparky7.2

DART Local Meet #2

2008-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

DART is having another contest. The contest is open to DART members and NAR members in the Southern California area. NAR membership is required.

What: DART Local Meet 08-2
When: Saturday, December 27, 2008, 8 AM to noon
Where: Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA
Events:
A Boost Glider Duration (WF = 18)
A Streamer Duration (WF = 8)
B Super-Roc Duration (WF = 14)
Open Spot Landing (fun event)

Entry Fee: Free to DART members (included in club dues), $5 for other contestants.

We're always looking for new contestants and especially young contestants. If you're interested, contact Chris Flanigan (Contest Director) at chris.flanigan@quartus.com for more information.

DART Local Meet 08-1

2008-11-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

DART Local Meet 08-1 was successfully held on Nov. 22. After some early fog, the weather cooperated by providing light winds -- ideal for our Fiesta Island launch site. Ross Iwamoto took 1st place in 1/4A PD (103 sec) with a picture perfect large parachute. Chris Flanigan finished 1st in 1/2A B/G (106 sec), aided by some thermals off the warming sands. John Thompson (proxy flown by Todd Mullin) took first in C Eggloft Duration with a nice flight of 83 seconds. There were several other good flights as well as our share of melted chutes, separated shock cords, and eggs meeting an early demise.

We're planning to have another Local Meet in late December. Events will be announced shortly.

Looks Pretty Windy!!

2008-11-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

It's 7 am on Sunday Nov 9 and it dosen't look good out there.

I'm going to get the gear together and go down to the field
and if the conditions are not improved by 8:30 the launch
will be cancelled.

Sparky7.2 Out

0730 update - still blowing - forcast is for all day - I'll head down to the field
till 8:30

MJ

0900 Update - Launch CANX winds at 15-20

CONTEST NEXT LAUNCH!!!! Get your contest birds ready!!

Sparky7.2

DART Is Having a Contest

2008-10-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

What: DART Local Meet 08-1
When: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 8 AM to noon
Where: Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA

Events:
1/2 A Boost Glider Duration (WF = 17)
1/4 A Parachute Duration (WF = 7)
C Eggloft Duration (WF = 16)

This contest is open to DART members and NAR members in the Southern California area. NAR membership is required.

Entry Fee: Free to DART members (included in club dues), $5 for other contestants

To register or more information, contact:
Chris Flanigan, Contest Director
858-382-4487
chris.flanigan@quartus.com

If you're new to competition rocketry, see the following resources:
http://nar.org/competition/plans/competitionPlans.html
http://www.geocities.com/tccnar/competitionprimers.html
http://members.aol.com/GCGassaway/event_tips_1.html

Good day!

2008-05-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Nice launch to close the first half of the year! We had good, then bad, then great weather today! Threw a tarp over the gear for a cell that rolled through and once it cleared we had a great day! The south wind was a little odd but all in all I'm very pleased that I didn't outright cancel based on the weather forecasts.

Looks like there will be a June desert launch - June 6,7,8 but it will likely be in the 90s - 100 so bring the survival gear! I think I may schlep out for this one and cook some of my killer stew again!

I'll look into finding a summer site in north county - there was one for a time run by Jim Myers of Discount Rocketry, but I understand that is no longer in operation.

2 months till the next launch - Build rockets!

Sparky7.0

Your L Present Dent

OK! Saturday 5/24/08 Plan

2008-05-23T23:13:00.000-07:00

I will be at the field rain or shine at 8 am and hang out till 9:30/10 am
(likely napping if it is raining)

If it clears - we fly
If not - we don't!

There is a launch available on Thursday June 5 from 8am - 4pm. I cannot host it so it will require an NAR member to be in attendance. The equipment and permits can be picked up at my house - just call if you are going to try to utilize the date.

Sparky7.0

Somebody up there likes me.........

2008-05-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

I came home from a 2 hour stint at my work (on Saturday) and my neighbor knocks on my door and hands me my briefcase! It was delivered to her doorstep very early this morning. Everything is still in it, missing the $20 but I'll call that a lesson learned! LOCK YOUR DOORS! The 3 checks that needed to be deposited are still there - I'll contact each of the members and let them know. (one was still in the original envelope unopened)

The DART account was restarted under a new number yesterday and new checks are in the mail.

So I figure, some kid saw me drive up, fumble the clicker and go in - saw a target of opportunity and grabbed what they could see and split. A parent finds the case in the kid's posession and just drops it off to get it over with. No worries from me - I'll take devine intervention anytime.

Interceptor build tomorrow at Rick's house in Ramona

See you all at Fiesta on the 24th! Long summer dry spell ahead!

Sparky

TARC Launch Dates in Very SO CAL!

2008-03-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

So CAL TARC Teams!

The following dates are available for qualification flights at the
San Diego DART Club's Fiesta Island site:

Friday March 14 8am
Saturday March 22 8am
Saturday March 29 8am
Thursday April 3 8am

Please contact DART via the website for further information.

http://www.dartrocketry.com

Ad Astra!

TIME CHANGE!!!

2008-03-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder! Clocks move forward on Saturday night. Late start at 9am. if you show up at 10 we will all point and laugh! (note to self - DO NOT forget time change)

Sparky7.0

DART Competition Flying!

2008-01-29T22:11:00.000-08:00

Hey DART members!

We are holding the first DART competition flying in years at the next launch! No NAR points are up for grabs this time, but if there is interest in keeping the competitions going, we can start holding sanctioned, points scoring events! The points year is well past half over, so just think of this as practice for the coming season starting in July!

We are going to fly: A parachute duration, A streamer duration, A boost glider.

Hope to see you all out there with your rockets and stop watches!

December 9 CANX

2007-12-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Team,

Tomorrow's launch is cancelled. Hate to do it but it's going to be
T-storms around here for the next 24 hours.

The last launch this year is on the 30th.

Have a wonderful Holiday (build many, many rockets!)

Sparky

Oh no! Not Again!

2007-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Team,

The forecast is for possible rain on Sunday Morning. Check here for a up to the minute call on the weather. You can always ring me on my cell (619) two oh six - six nine oh nine.

I should be getting the 2008 dates this coming week.

See ya there!

Sparky

Oct 27th Launch UN CANCEL!!!!

2007-10-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Team!

I just got a call from the City Parks & Rec and Fiesta is now open! The Launch is ON!!!!!
8 am start. If you have a Hi Power (1/4" - 1/2" rod) pad - please bring it out!

See you there!

Sparky

Oct 27th Cancel

2007-10-22T19:23:00.001-07:00

Team,

With the county-wide fire situatation - Fiesta Island is being used
as an evacuation area for horses and other large animals - I am
cancelling the launch this Saturday.

Accounting Group and Scouts - So Sorry again! We will get you
launched yet!

Please pass the word to all the friends - anyone needs anything
- tell us! I know this club and we can do anything, anytime, anywhere!

Ad Asta!

Sparky

PLASTER BLASTER GO!!!!!!

2007-10-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

"Go Ye To the Desert And Fly Many MANY rockets"
(quote from the Book of Amaments, Ch13, vs 6)

On on that day, the peoples gathered their belongings and made the long
pilgrimage to the land where Drywall is formed. They were lured to the
shores of the (dry) lake greeted by gentle breezes. And it was the first day
of PB6...............

Murphy lives. Your intrepid El Presidente was driving home from work
yesterday - ready to load the van with all things needed for PB6 when
the MPV turned on it's Check Engine light and started stumbling like
a drunken Sailor (with apologies to all former and current drunken Sailors)

While not a huge issue in my (eventual) attendance at PB6, it is a VERY HUGE
issue in regards to the 30+ sets of Launch Leads out to the site today (Thrusday)
Scott O'Connell will stop by on his way out around noon - and if he's running
late - Chuck Pretto will be by around 4. Thanks for stepping in guys!!

Sparky7.0