Garden State Spacemodeling Society of New Jersey Old News Archive

 

January 20, 2007

The Launch dates and events have been updated for 2007.

January 3, 2007

Happy new year. The January launch date has been corrected and is January 27, 2007. We are awaiting firm launch dates for the rest of 2007 from the parks department. I will post those when I get them. Also, the Launch Rack for Winter 2006 is now available for download.

October 1, 2006

Just a reminder. We are trying to update our membership lists. We would appreciate it if all members to email us so that we may update our records. In addition please RSVP to the same address for the Holiday Open House on Satuday, December 30th.

September 19, 2006

The online addition of the Fall 2006 issue of the Launch Rack is now available.

May 11, 2006

If you are looking for some extra launches to go to this summer be sure to check out the NERRF 2 launch June 23-25. I know it conflicts with the GSSS June launch (just the Saturday) but NERRF is one of the largest regional launches and lasts three days from Friday to Sunday. There will be tons of flyers, vendors and, of course, big rockets. It's sure to be a good time. Go to the site in the link above for more information.

March 26, 2005

I was able to attend my first GSSS launch in a while. The weather and other commitments had kept me away the last few months. It was a little soggy and dreary but there wasn't much wind so it was a great flying day. Arnie did his usual great job running the launch. I really look forward to a great launch season and hope to see everyone there in April.

For launches going forward if there is a cancellation an email will be sent out to the mailing list AND there will be a message posted on the main page (above the yellow banner) as well. If you aren't on the mailing list and you want to know if there is a cancellation you can check here the morning of the launch.

For older news go to the Old News Archive

January 1, 2005

The GSSS hotline is being shutdown for technical reasons. You will be notified about the status of future launches via E-mail. The E-mail will be posted by 0900 on the day of the launch. To receive this email add yourself to the Member Directory.

June 7, 2003

Due to the seemingly never-ending rain the Funtest has been postponed until June 28. Keep your fingers crossed!

May 19, 2003

Since the 4/26 meet was rained out it has been scheduled for May 31.

March 31, 2003

Hello GSSS members and other interested parties!

It's time for another contest of a slightly different nature.  At the next GSSS launch in Bridgewater on April 26 Stephen Flynn will be Contest Director to yet another NAR Open meet and open Fun Test for all comers, NAR or not.  The difference is, this time all events are open to rockets using any NAR Contest Certified motor.  Flying will be done from 10:00 to at least 3:00 PM and possibly later.

February 20, 2003

The February launch has unfortunately been canceled due to field conditions.See you all in March.

February 12, 2003

Announcing the Spring Challenge 3 NAR Open Meet!

The GSSS will be sharing a contest on March 9th with Sojars at their large Sorbello Farm field . The contest flights will be flown along with the sport flights that day. The contest is also a Funtest for all GSSS and Sojars members.The events are as follows:

"B" Rocket Glider duration

"B" Streamer duration

"C" Super Roc duration - Minimum length 125 cm, maximum 250 cm. The points earned for each flight is the total of the length in cm's times the time in seconds. The total of the two allowed flights are added for a total score.

Random Duration - The target time is decided on just before the meet starts by drawing cards or throwing dice or another random method. The time has to be between 30 and 120 seconds in a multiple of 5 seconds.

Flying will start around 9:00 am and probably go until at least 4:00 pm. Trophies will be awarded to the top contender in each NAR age division.

For instructions on how to get to the field please see www.sojars.org

August 31, 2002

GSSS will be having regular club meetings starting in September. The schedule of meetings is as follows:

• September 6
• October 4
• November 1
• December 6

All meetings will be held at the Ramada Limited in South Plainfield. The Ramada is located off Exit 5 on I-287. All meetings start at 7:30PM. Please call Jack Sarhage at 732-699-1166 for more information.

June 4, 2002

GSSS received the following letter:

Greetings, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all that participated in our Science Fair on Saturday, June 1st.   Your contribution to our event was significant, to be sure.  All of our guests enjoyed both the static displays and the flight demonstrations - in addition to the obvious enthusiasm and passion you have for your 'hobby'. I would like to extend an invitation to our 2003 event (date TBA, but probably 5/17 or 5/31). This will be our 20th Annual Science Fair - which will be unmatched by any seen in Somerset County, or the State of NJ.  Your participation will be most appreciated and anticipated. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss your participation in next year's event. Thank you so much once again.... Best regards, s. Douglas Levy

May 23, 2002

Summer Challenge 2
NAR Open Meet and GSSS Funtest
June 22,2002

You could almost fly the 6 events with two rockets making 9 flights total!

Events	Weigthing Factor
Streamer Spot Landing	4
Parachute Spot Landing	4
Predicted Duration	8
1/4A Streamer Duration	8
1/2A Parachute Duration	7
D Dual Eggloft Duration	27
Total	58

Note that the minimum duration prediction is 30 seconds. The spot landings and Predicted Duration events must be flown first in your flights that day.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, can someone help out with the equipment so we can fly until 5:00 pm? Please contact: CD Stephen E.Flynn, ASAP e-mail: teri@eclipse.net Tentative rain date, 6/29 at the St Paul's Abbey field in Andover (Sussex County, NJ)

May 2, 2002

The June launch event is the Summer Challenge 2 open meet. I have added it to the launch schedule. As soon as I get a list of events I will post them here. I vote for 1/2A PD or 1/4A SD because I always lose my competition models on larger motors!

April 14, 2002

The GSSS April Launch will be a combined Funtest and NAR Section Meet. The events we are flying are:

• Streamer Spot Landing
• 1/4 A Parachute Duration
• 1/2 A Parachute Duration
• Sport Scale

These are easy events to fly so make sure you bring some appropriate birds and join us in a little friendly competition.

February 12, 2001

GSSS received the following letter:

Good Afternoon, My name is Douglas Levy, and I am the chairman for the Hillcrest School Science Fair this year. Our Award winning Science and Technology Magnet School is located in Somerset, NJ and we would like to invite you to participate in our 2002 Science Fair. The Fair, scheduled for Saturday, June 1st will run from 12:00 to 3:30 PM.  As many of our outstanding students will actually be constructing model rockets as one of their annual projects, your attendance would be of particular interest to our students. We would also hope that you could facilitate the launches of the student's rockets, in addition to launch and flight demonstrations of your organization member's rockets. We will provide you all the information necessary, and make any accommodations you will need. Additionally, we would be happy to provide lunch and refreshments for all your organization's participants. Please advise at your earliest convenience of your attendance.  We would be honored to have you attend, and your presence will be a major focal point of our event. Thank you and best regards, s. Douglas Levy

If you are available to help out please email Bob Z.

January 28, 2001

Uncharacteristically warm weather greeted our January launch. Unfortunately I couldn't be there. I received some photos from Fred Taverni that he took with his PenCam rocket camera. From the looks of them I missed a great launch. Check them out here.

Januanry 15, 2001

Happy New Year! I hope everyone good all the rocketry stuff they wanted for the holidays. I have been so busy I haven't been able to play with all of my stuff yet but I will. I did manage to automate the launch calendar however. The date at the top of the page updates the day after the launch so I can't forget! We haven't been given all of the dates for 2002 yet but as soon as I get them I will post them. The January and February dates are tentative but they shouldn't change. Lets pray for some mild weather. I hope to see you all soon.

November 10, 2001

Sojars has challenged GSSS members to fly an NAR Open Meet on Dec. 2 2001 at their field.

Name- Open Skies 2001 NAR Sanctioned Open Meet
Dates: December 2, 2001, Rain Date December 9, 2001
Starting time- 11:00AM
Location- SoJars launch field at Gloucester County College, NJ

Streamer Spot Landing	4
1/2A B/G	17
A Streamer Dur.	8
B Streamer Dur.	9
B Helicopter Dur.	21
Total WF (out of 60)	59

September 17, 2001

Dr. Bob is looking for some discontinued Apogee motors so he can go compete in the flyoffs for the US team. He is looking for A2-0 and B2-0 boosters as well as B2-5, B2-7, A2-7 and A2-5s. If you have any you can spare please contact Bob Z. at danielle@blast.net

August 26, 2001

I've uploaded the two videos taken with an Aiptek Pencam to the August Launch Photos section. There are two video files. The video in the second one cut out at motor ejection but the first one goes from lauch until touchdown. They are large files so if you have a slow connection they may take a while to download. Enjoy!

August 8, 2001

I may be breaking new ground here but as webmaster as well as editor of the GSSS web page I reserve the right to post my own editorials.

I hope to have the results of Spring Challenge 2 posted as soon as I receive them.

April 8, 2001

SPRING CHALLENGE 2

NAR Open Meet at the April 28 GSSS Launch

Be ready to try something new. Have some fun testing your skills. Come out and help your club achieve a place in the NAR's National Standings. Non-NAR Members can join the NAR at the contest and fly the same day. You can even enter as a team. Practice for the NAR's National Meet- NARAM to be held in Geneseo, New York or just for the thrill of the seeing your rockets in action. Everyone over the age of 6 may participate.

Events:
Streamer Spot Landing
1/4A Engine Streamer Duration
A Engine Streamer Duration
1/2 A Engine Boost Glider Duration
B Engine Helicopter Duration

Look for more NAR contests at each GSSS launch through June. If the launch is rained out an alternate launch site will be chosen.

For more information contact Contest Director Stephen E. Flynn at teri@eclipse.net

January 21, 2001

I have posted the 2001 Launch Schedule.

January 16, 2001

The first launch of 2001 will be on January 27th. I do not have the rest of the dates yet but let's hope for some mild January weather so we can all fly all those mid-winter projects!

January 3, 2001

Happy New Year everyone! I am working on getting the 2001 launch schedule. I expect to know the dates this week and will post them as soon as I get them.

November 30, 2000

Hello all! I trust everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I see understand it was a good November launch. I have some pictures up courtesy of Chris Taylor. Thanks Chris. I have also added a link to D&P Rocketry. Denis and his yellow bus has been coming to our launches for a while now. Denis has rocket kits, motors, batteries, muchies, soda... everything you could need while flying. You can contact Denis if you need something special at the next launch. Coffee perhaps?

May 31, 2000

Arnie sent me a cool aerial shot of the launch site from Microsoft Terraserver. Check it out on the launch site page. If anyone has information about any special events being held at the June 24th launch please email me.

April 4, 2000

The NAR has secured an alternate insurance provider for rocketry activities! The coverage begins immediately after the April 5th expiration of our old coverage. This means that our April 29th launch is on again as originally planned. The only change I am aware of is the new insurance coverage is now mandatory for all NAR members. It is now part of the annual membership fee which has increased to reflect this. Read more about this at www.nar.org. I hope to see everyone at our next launch.

March 25, 2000

Due to the cancelation of NAR insurance the next GSSS launch has been postponed until further notice. People can and do launch at Northbrach Park on an individual basis. You are welcome to do so as well. It's likely that many GSSS members will be at the park on what was to be our next launch, April 29, 2000. If you have any questions about the NAR insurance situation please check the NAR website at www.nar.org

March 21, 2000

There was a problem with the Member Directory submission page. If you did not enter your NAR number a record for you could not be inserted in the database. I realize that not everyone who is a member of GSSS is a NAR member as well (although it is a very good idea) I have fixed the problem but at least one user's (Vince?) data was lost while inserting it into the database. If you have tried to add yourself to the Member Directory within the last few days and do not see yourself listed please try again. Sorry for any inconvenience.

March 15, 2000

I hope everyone can make our March 25th Spring Picnic launch. In addition to bringing your rockets please bring picnic-style food for everyone to share. We will supply the beverages.

We've picked the first two Fun-Test events for this season. The April launch will be 1/2A Rocket Glider and May will be 1/2A Flex-wing Glider. Not the easiest events in the world. I am working on getting some more information about these events and the rules. What I have so far is on the Fun-Test page.

March 7, 2000

Thanks to everyone who came out for the special March launch. It was a big success! I have some photos from this launch posted in the Photos section.

February 28, 2000

A French television crew has asked GSSS if we would stage a special launch for them. It will be featured in a upcoming show about American pastimes. The taping was originally scheduled for our normal February launch but the very overcast weather forced it to be postponed. GSSS will be holding a special launch on Saturday March 4, 2000 to accommodate the show's producers. The launch will start at the normal time 10:00am but please try to show up a little early. Not that we need another excuse to fly rockets but this should be fun! Come out and be part of the taping or just fly some rockets. This will not affect our regularly scheduled March 25th launch. I hope to see everyone there!

Special Note: Due to the muddy conditions at North Branch Park please park your cars ONLY on the paved road and not on the gravel or grass where we usually park. If you do you will either get stuck or tear up the grass. We don't want to lose our flying field because someone leaves tire tracks all over the grass. Thank you.

February 26, 2000

Despite a pretty cold and dreary day the February launch was a success! I saw some new faces and there were some really nice launches. Alex launched a scratch-built orange rocket on an E6 that seemed to go forever. He even managed to land it safely on the field. Nice job! I have some launch photos up so check them out.

I did manage to leave a rocket lying on someones table by accident. It is a black Big Bertha with no decals. If you picked up this rocket would you please email me? Thanks.

February 7, 2000

The cancellation of the January launch got me thinking. I posted the cancellation notice here two days before the launch. Unfortunately, that doesn't help someone who didn't think to check the webpage before heading out to the launch. I have the email addresses of a handful of members who asked to listed in the Member Directory. Since these are in a database (The member directory is no longer a static webpage) I can now easily send email notices to everyone in the directory. In the event of another launch cancellation or other important announcement I will utilize this database to contact people. Of course, if you are not listed in the directory I cannot contact you. If you would like to be added to the contact list please use this form to submit your member information. I promise not to SPAM you!

If you are wary of having your email listed here you can elect (via the form) to not have your email listed in the directory but to still have announcements sent to you. So go ahead and sign up!

January 27, 2000

Unfortunately the January launch had to be canceled due to the amount of snow on the field. Hopefully the weather for the February launch will be better. I guess we will have to use the extra time to build more rockets!

January 16, 2000

I have three news items to report. The January 29 launch date is now confirmed so I hope to see you all there for out first launch of 2000. I add two new sets of launch photos. You can check them out here. I also wanted to mention that the web site is now hosted from my new hosting services. This is far cheaper than how I was doing it before and I have much more space so I can hopefully post more monthly pictures from out launches. The new URL to the GSSS web page is http://www.robnee.com/gsss. I am going to ask to have the link changed on rockety online and the NAR web page. If you are aware of any links to the old web page please let me know and I will see that they are updated. Thanks!

December 23, 1999

I haven't updated the news in a long while because I was busy with school. That's over with for a while so I hope to update the pictures page with some recent photos. I have added a link to T&T Rocketry above. These nice folks come all the way from Baltimore to support our launches. It's great to have a vendor at the launch for those last minute motor needs. If you need something special you can call them ahead of time and ask them to bring it.

Happy Holidays everyone. I'll see you in 2000!

November 1, 1999

The weather gods were unusually nice to us in October. We had very mild conditions and low winds for our October 30th launch. We also had a nice turnout and many fliers took advantage of the weather to put up a ton of great flights. I put up some pictures from the September Launch. See you all in November.

August 4, 1999

I missed the July launch due to a last-minute conflict. I hope everyone had a good time. The August launch is early this month and I will away on vacation so I will miss that one too. Normally (including the July launch) even if I am going to miss a launch I call the FAA and file the NOTAM. This is a must now that we occasionally fly rockets over 16 oz. This must be called in between 24 and 48 hours before the launch which means the Thursday before. As I will be away I am looking for a volunteer to place the call for the club and file the NOTAM so we can fly normally. If you are interested in doing this please let me know ASAP. I will provide you with complete instructions on who to call and what to say. It is very easy and usually takes no more than a few minutes. Please let me know. Thanks and I hope everyone enjoys the launch. See you all in September.

July 24, 1999

I posted some new pictures from the June launch. Check them out here.

June 30, 1999

There will be no Fun-Test for our July launch but to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Moon landing we will have a Saturn V "Fun-Fly." Everyone is encouraged to bring a Saturn-type rocket (Saturn V, 1B etc.) to launch. We will resume the Fun-Tests with the August launch. I have posted the results of our 1999 Fun-Tests here.

June 28, 1999

The June launch was a big success! We had a great turnout again thanks mostly to the scouts who showed up to fly with us. I didn't get a chance to take that many pictures this time but the one nice shot I got has been posted here. I'll post Steve's pictues when I get them. See you all next month.

June 15 1999

I have registered this page with a redirection service to give us a more easily remembered web page address. The new addres is http://www.fly.to/gsss. "Fly to GSSS" Cool! The old address will continue to work as this new address simply points to the old one. Please let me know if you have any trouble using the redirect address or if you think the new address is too corny!

Thanks to Michael Liben for sending some additional photos from the May launch. I have posted a few of the best ones here.

June 8, 1999

Don't forget our next model rocket launch will also be a NAR section meet open to all current GSSS members. Details about the meet as well of a summary of the contest rules is now available here.

May 22, 1999

Well, I have the pictures from the May Launch posted in record time! It was a great launch even if I did spend an hour fishing a rocket (with my altimeter) from a tree. At next month's launch we will host a Ted Rebetje Memorial Section Meet open to all GSSS members. The events will be Open spot landing, 1/2A Boost Glider, 1/2A Parachute Duration and A Streamer Duration. I will have the details posted soon but until then get out your pink book and start building. In addition to the section meet there will also be an Open Spot Landing Fun-Test open to all flyers.

May 17, 1999

I posted more pictures from the April launch. Thanks again Steve. George from T&T Rocketry has confirmed they will be on site for our May 22nd launch so bring lots of money!

May 3, 1999

I have updated the GSSS web page to be (hopefully) easier to navigate. Please let me know if you notice any problems.

May 1, 1999

The April launch was great! There was a nice turnout of flyers and our first Fun-Test of the year was a big success. Many people gave A Streamer Duration a try. It was encouraging to see so many entries. Next month's Fun-Test is A Parachute Duration so start building (I will be) and I'll see you there.

Photos from the March and April launches are now on line.

April 13, 1999

OOPS!! The date of or next launch is the April 24th not the 25th (thanks Chris) as was previously posted here. All of our launches are Saturdays. Sorry for the confusion.

April 5, 1999

Launch photos from the February 1999 launch have been posted. Sorry for the delay.

March 28, 1999

The March launch was a big success. It was a bit windy but turnout was good and a lot of great flights were made. T&T Rocketry was on site again selling kits and motors. They hope to be there next month so bring plenty of money! At the member's meeting we scheduled three Fun-Tests for our upcoming launches. Fun-Tests don't count for NAR competition points but there will be prizes. We chose events that are easy enough for everyone to compete in so bring a streamer model to the April launch and give it a try!

March 15, 1999

I missed the February launch as well :( Steve Pantuck has sent me the photos from the launch and I hope to have them up in the next day or so. Keep an eye peeled...

February 14, 1999

I missed the January launch due to work but Steve Pantuck sent me some pictures from the launch. If you missed the launch like I did you can check them out here. If anyone has any other pictures they would like to see posted please let me know.

On another topic, people have been writing to me and asking why the member listing has so few entries. The answer is very few people have asked to be listed. I don't automatically post people's information for privacy reasons. If you would like to have yourself added please let me know. It makes getting in touch with people much easier.

January 28, 1999

I have posted the 1999 Launch Schedule. I would also like to confirm the next launch IS January 30, 1999. See you there!

January 6, 1999

The next GSSS launch is tentatively scheduled for January 30 not January 23 as I had been previously told. Please call the GSSS hotline after 9AM the morning of the launch to confirm. If I get confirmation of the launch date I will post it here.

December 29, 1998

I have uploaded some more of Steve Pantuck's excellent launch photos from out December Launch. For those who missed it we had very nice weather in the morning. There was almost *no* wind which is rare for North Branch Park Turnout was low but those who came took advantage of the weather and made some really nice flights. Have a Happy New Year and see you at the January launch.

December 28, 1998

I have some new photos up from the November launch as well as a new pictures page I hope to have the December launch photos up soon.

November 30, 1998

The October 28th GSSS launch was great! The weather was very mild and the winds while a little gusty were fairly calm for November. There were a lot of fliers and a lot of great flights including Grant's North Coast Patriot on an F62-6 and F52W. These were some of the most impressive flights at a GSSS launch in recent memory. As an added bonus the nice folks from T&T Rocketry were on hand selling motors and kits! Buying motors right at the launch is very convenient and they have great prices too. I hope they make it to future launches. I hope to have some pictures up soon. If you have some that you would like to submit let me know.

October 22, 1998

Fixed my email address in the link. Sorry for any confusion.

October 14, 1998

The GSSS web page has a new home. The new URL is http://www.agoron.com/~rnee/gsss. Update your bookmarks accordingly. I would thank Scott Johnson, the old webmaster for the GSSS web page, for his time and effort in the past. Good luck Scott!

If you are a GSSS member and would like to be added to the Member directory please send me email with your name, NAR membership number and email address. If you have your own web page I can add a link to that too.