Gulf Coast Regional - 2001

Dates:  October 13th & 14th  (Raindate 27th & 28th)

Contest Events:

              C Rocket Glider Duration    22

              C Helicopter Duration       22

              B Boost Glider Duration     19

              1/2A Parachute Duration      7

              C Streamer Duration         10

Specifications:  Per the United States Sport Modelling Code (aka Pink Book)

Fun Event:  Fantasy Scale

The NASA Houston Rocket Club is pleased to announce plans for this year's Gulf

Coast Regional (GCR) at the Johnson Space Center.  The GCR is traditionally a

mixed regional with events suited for both the beginner and seasoned competitor

alike. With the 2002 NARAM scheduled for McGregor, you'll see we've heavily

slanted the slate to provide regional fliers a place to see how their designs

fare in head to head competion early in the contest year where it counts -- on

the field.  We sincerely hope this event will provide an enjoyable place to

exchange ideas for our state's contest fliers.

There was some mention regarding having B Boost Glider for a second consecutive

contest.  Looking over the past couple years of results, only three ships in

this class has outflown the JSC field so we felt that there's more room for

improvement in this event. 

Also, a formal craftsmanship event is not being held due to the short notice of

this event and to give people room to focus on next year's championship meet. 

The idea for the fun event, Fantasy Scale, came about during discussions at

this past NARCON.  This event is open to *any* futuristic science fiction style

ship (i.e. Orbital Transport, Mars Lander, your own design).  Documentation is

optional and this will be a peoples choice event with separate prizes.  The

only requirement is that it *must* fly and land safely. 

Finally, several folks had requested an egg lofting event for which we urge you

to attend the AARG Huevos Launcheros II, an all egg contest.

The following are suggestions to newcomers wishing to fly the GCR events:

    1/2A Parachute Duration and C Streamer Duration - There is a *wide*

variety of off-the-shelf models available that are suitable for this event

available from stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc.

    B Boost Glider - Both the"CiCi"  and "Deltie" kits from Edmonds Aerospace

are suitable for this event as are "Never-Loop" kit from Qualified Competition

Rocket (QCR). The Quest "Flat Cat" is also a proven kit for this event.

    C Helicopter Duration - The Estes Skywinder nearly assures the beginner of

qualified flights.  For the accomplished builder, Skill Level 4 (?) "Rotoroc"

kits built around both the 18mm and 13mm frames are also available from QCR. 

Kit's built around 13mm frames are available from Apogee Rockets.  Beginners

should avoid trying the 13mm frames as these are suceptible to shredding.

    C Rocket Glider - Arguably the most difficult event, "E-Z Slide" kits are

available from QCR.  Otherwise, scratch built models from plans off the

internet will be most common.

Tentative Texas Area Contest Schedule

  September, DARS - Mini Olympics

  October 13th & 14th, NHRC - Gulf Coast Regional (27th & 28th rain date)

  November, AARG - Huevos Launcheros II (an all egg contest)

  February 9th & 10th, NHRC - Hearts & Darts (23rd & 24th rain date)

  March, Austin - NARCON (Convention)

  April, DARS - April Madness

  May or June, AARG - Rocamole

  August (?), McGregor - NARAM

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.

Andy Eng

aeng@ghg.net

NHRC Contest Director