Launch this Saturday, June 28, at Horning #1

The field has been cut so we are ON for this Saturday at Horning #1. We will be a bit short handed so we sure could use some help with setup and tear down. And bring plenty of water!

Map to field:

Horning #1

Launch Update:

 The Hornings are expecting to cut the alfalfa at the Horning 1 field next week, with our launch scheduled for the 28th. This will change if there is adverse weather next week, preventing them from cutting on time. Several club members will be at NARAM in Muncie, Indiana that day, and our setup/teardown crew will need help so please lend a hand. 
 
This will be our last launch at Horning 1 until the Fall when the corn is cut. Until then, we will fly at a smaller field across the road to the west called Horning 3. The field is a good size, but is closer to the lake, houses, and the Consumers Energy gas plant, so impulse is limited to G and below. Expect to fly there in late July and August. Launch site setup can be at the north or south end of the field, depending on wind direction. 

Launch this Saturday May 31, 2025

50 flights flew on the 24th, let's do more! We will be back at Horning #2. Field should be in great shape!

Launch This Saturday May 24, 2025!

and...

Next Saturday May 31, 2025!

The Horning 2 field on Bethel Church Rd has enough of the triticale harvested that we can fly there this Saturday, May 24th. We will need to stay away from the small amount of triticale on the northwest part of the field if they can't clear it out before Saturday.
 
There is a good chance that we can also fly at Horning 2 on May 31st, but if not, we will be able to fly at Horning 1. Either way, as long as the weather cooperates, we are flying the next two Saturdays.
 
Stay tuned here for updates.

Follow the link below to Horning #2

Horning #2
 

Launch and Field Update.

 The Situation:

During the Horning Farm Craft Show, we had a chance to discuss the flying fields with Mason Horning. He recently told us they were considering making changes, but we didn’t want to say anything until they solidified their plans.

The Horning 2 field on Bethel Church Road has triticale (a grain) growing on the north half, where we usually fly. Once they harvest that, they will be planting soybeans. That field is probably out of our use until Spring of 2026 because soybeans are often harvested late in the year.

Horning 1 is also changing this summer. Right now, the north half that we fly on is all alfalfa, and the south half is corn. After the alfalfa is cut this week or next week, they will split the alfalfa field in half and plant corn in the north half, so the field will be corn, alfalfa, and corn with the alfalfa strip in the middle.
The reason for the change is that they are finally producing more feed than they can use and can sell the extra. Corn and soybeans are more profitable than alfalfa.

What now? 

We are clear to fly on Horning 1 once the alfalfa is cut. We may be able to get in two launches on consecutive weekends, the 24th and 31st. We know the 24th is Memorial Day weekend, but there are enough BOD members available for both dates to make the field available. Both dates are on the NAR launch calendar, just be aware that if, for some reason, they can’t cut it this week that the 24th launch date will be cancelled.
We can also use the field once the remaining alfalfa field is cut again in late June. The corn won’t be that tall by late June due to how late they will be planting it.

 What About After June?

There are two other alfalfa fields, one near my house and the other is between our two flying fields on Lima Center Road. The Lima Center field has many houses around the edges of the field, so it won’t work. The one by my house will work for low power (G impulse and below), and we can set up at either end depending on the wind. This field will put us a lot closer to the lake and the Consumers Plant as well as houses, which is why we’re restricted to low power on that field.
We will have access to Horning 1 again once the corn is harvested.

To summarize, 

Part of the Horning 1 alfalfa field will be converted to corn in early June. We can use that field for May and June, once the alfalfa is cut.
 After June, we will use the field that is North of Horning 1, which will remain alfalfa. Due to the proximity of the lake, Consumers Plant, and houses, we will be restricted to low power at that field.
If you have any questions, please reply to this message or reach out to any of the board members. 

Thanks,
the BOD

Get your rocket fix in at Crapshoot!

 Our joint launch with SMASH will be next Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27 at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center.
With a high waiver and large recovery area it will be a great show. Just beware of the Big Icky! Details and a map to the field can be found at:

SMASH

CANCELLED: April 19th Launch

We have regrettably made the call to scrub the launch for today.  As of 6 am this morning, the rain is just now falling at the launch area with a radar track that appears to show more on the way. The winds are already strong, over 10mph, so we have made the decision to cancel. 
 
The next launch will roughly be around Memorial Day weekend, plus or minus a week. That is when the first cut of alfalfa typically happens. We'll have a better idea as we get closer to that date.
 
Stay tuned here, on the blog site, and on Discord for updates.

 Update for Saturday's launch, April 19th.

We will make a go / no-go decision on the launch early tomorrow (Saturday) morning. Currently the field is dry and firm, however we are forecast to potentially receive significant rain overnight. This may limit the field usage or prevent it entirely if the ground is too wet. Limited use would mean foot traffic only and we would need to hand carry the equipment from the parking area to the field. Winds are also forecast to be around 10 mph from the west, a favorable direction.

 

 Launch set for this Saturday, April 19.

We are set to go for our launch this Saturday at the Horning #1 field.

But...

Rain is expected later this week and if the field gets too wet we may have to limit the use of the Mule or postpone the launch.

So stay tuned and we will give an update later. Check back in again before heading out to the field.

New Member of the BOD.

We would like to welcome Mike Lewandowski to the Board of Directors replacing Fred Ziegler. Thanks you Mike for joining us. And thank you Fred for your time with us.