Benjamin Schaap hooks up the igniter leads on the Estes Loadstar kit he built back in February at a workshop for University High School students. Although we had planned to fly the students' rockets the weekend after the class, weather had postponed every scheduled launch since then until June 24, when we finally had a nice day. Ben was able to fly his rocket four times. Photo by Greg Smith

After cancelling 11 launches in a row due to bad weather over a period of almost six months, CIA was finally able to hold a launch on Saturday, June 24, 2006. It was a beautiful day with light winds from the northeast, which meant setting up the launch equipment in a distant corner of the field.

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CIA-Rocketry > Christopher Deem loads his Quest Sport on the launcher. Although some of us claim to have outgrown playing with little plastic-finned rockets, we are considering this kit for future build'n'fly sessions we sometimes run for Park District and school groups. At least that's Chris' story. Photo by Greg Smith

CIA-Rocketry > Benjamin Schaap hooks up the igniter leads on the Estes Loadstar kit he built back in February at a workshop for University High School students. Although we had planned to fly the students' rockets the weekend after the class, weather had postponed every scheduled launch since then until June 24, when we finally had a nice day. Ben was able to fly his rocket four times. Photo by Greg Smith

CIA-Rocketry > Benjamin Schaap's Loadstar lifts off with a C6-5 motor in single-stage configuration. Photo by Greg Smith

CIA-Rocketry > Recovery of Ben Schaap's Loadstar under a nice parachute. Photo by Greg Smith

CIA-Rocketry > Benjamin Schaap's Loadstar flew twice in two-stage configuration, here with a C6-0 booster and B6-6 upper stage. Photo by Greg Smith

Benjamin Schaap hooks up the igniter leads on the Estes Loadstar kit he built back in February at a workshop for University High School students. Although we had planned to fly the students' rockets the weekend after the class, weather had postponed every scheduled launch since then until June 24, when we finally had a nice day. Ben was able to fly his rocket four times. Photo by Greg Smith