HOT and humid day at Bong Recreation area today. I ground tested me new Formula 98 (from Wildman) on t' 19th and verified t' ejection charges were perfect. Begad! But I ran into an electronics issue and wasn't able t' fly on t' 19th, ya bilge rat, so I came back for Suday's launch - and it be hot!! T' RRC2L reported t' temp at 103f on t' pad.

T' J540-P redline motor is one o' me go-to motors for 4" fiberglass rockets as it has enough initial thrust t' get t' rocket off t' pad, ya bilge rat, but it's still only a J so nay too much altitude. Arrr! Since this was me first flight o' this rocket, an estimated apogee o' 3650' sounded just about right for keepin' t' entire flight in sight.

T' J540 did its job and t' rocket left t' pad at about 60fps. Avast! Apogee be reported at 3558(gps) and 3405(RRC2L) for an average o' 3481, arrr, or just about 80' short o' t' RockSim prediction. Well, blow me down! Nay bad for a shakedown flight! Apogee charge fired as expected and t' rocket descended at 51fps under drogue. T' slight breeze (4mph) blew t' rocket back over t' t' south side o' t' pads where t' main unfurled at 700' and landed t' rocket at a soft 21fps. Recover was easy, about 500' off t' D pads.

NOTE: For some odd reason, arrr, t' motor must be entered with a delay. Blimey! This be a plugged motor, with electronic dual deploy so thar was no delay used.