July 13-16, 2006 is the annual Hellfire Rocket Launch from the Bonneville Salt Flats 90 miles west of Salt Lake City, UT. I don’t know if any Barnsonians save me are going to be in the area for it, but these launches are simply awesome. This year, they’re cleared to 15,000 feet for standard flights, and have launch windows to 25,000 feet.
For those unfamiliar with “model” rockets, this is some serious altitude, exceeding that of some surface-to-air missiles.
For all registrants, there will also be ample opportunity to fly all the “small stuff”, from 1/2A size on up. Although this is a regional launch for UROC, Hellfire has grown in popularity largely due to the unique setting: an enormous dry lake bed at over 4200 feet elevation, almost perfectly flat and smooth. It draws high-speed racecars and rocket-launchers alike because, well, where else can you launch a rocket to 25,000 feet and then watch exactly where it lands without it being over a hill or something?
The downside? Salt is intensely reflective… enough so that you’re likely to burn the underside of your chin and ears if you aren’t careful. Bring on the sunscreen!
Anyway, I’m excited. Gotta see if my daughter wants to register and set off her rockets at this event.