Pictures from AeroPAC's XPRS 2002 launch
September 27-29, 2002
Black Rock Desert, Nevada

Level 2 Certification Flight Pictures

With the Level 1 certification flight done, I then took and passed the Level 2 written exam. Following that, here are the pictures from my Level 2 certification flight.

Thanks to AeroPAC member Mike Brest for letting me use his pictures of my launch as well. One of his pictures of my L2 flight is included below, and is from his page at http://www.xtratime.net/XPRS1Photos.htm .

(1536x1024 2238K) (500x333 34K)	At the launch control officer's direction, I placed the "One-Two Punch" at Pad 18 for my Level 2 certification flight. This flight used a J350 motor. Of course, after having completed the L1 cert flight and now attempting the L2 cert flight the same day with the same rocket, it should be becoming obvious why I named it the "One-Two Punch".
(1536x1024 2300K) (500x333 31K)	A wiring problem disabled Pads 15-19. So the "One-Two Punch" has been relocated to Pad 14 to try again for my Level 2 certification flight. Tension is mounting now as only 5 minutes remain in Saturday's daytime launch window before the FAA airspace waiver expires (allowing airplanes into the airspace again and ending launches.) There are more rockets on the pads than will be able to go in the remaining time. At the time of this photo, it wasn't clear that I'd get to fly my L2 certification flight that day.
(640x480 82K) (500x375 22K)	My rocket, the "One-Two Punch" launches for my Level 2 certification flight. (photo by Mike Brest, from his web site)
(1536x1024 2074K) (500x333 13K)	But with minutes to spare, launch control pushed the button and got my rocket off the pad for my L2 certification flight. The J350 motor quickly accelerates the rocket to supersonic speed and a sonic "pop" can be heard at the flight line.
(1536x1024 2275K) (500x333 34K)	During my Level 2 certification flight, my rocket disappears from camera view but is still being tracked with binoculars from launch control. Note that the jagged smoke trail is due to winds aloft - it was a rapid and straight flight but wind shear at different altitudes very quickly twists and contorts the smoke trail from any rocket. After the parachute deployed, launch control announced, "Welcome to Level 2" to me. Thanks again!
(1536x1024 3075K) (500x333 71K)	This is the landing site for my Level 2 certification flight. The rocket is again in excellent condition. I started walking and running out to the landing site north of the flight line (in the intended "downrange" area.) But this was so far away that Owen had time to walk to his vehicle, close up everything, and drive out to catch up with me a little more more than half way to the rocket.
(1536x1024 2362K) (500x333 35K)	I deliberately included my own shadow in this shot trying to demonstrate how late in the day I finally completed everything I had intended to. The shadow on the left is Owen's. On the right is his vehicle.
(1024x1536 2826K) (500x750 125K)	A west-facing view of the landing site for my Level 2 certification flight.
(1024x1536 2592K) (500x750 104K)	A west-facing view of my rocket and me at the landing site for my Level 2 certification flight. (photo by Owen DeLong)
(1536x1024 1998K) (500x333 25K)	A south-facing view of my rocket and me at the landing site for my Level 2 certification flight. The AeroPAC flight line is visible in the distant background. (photo by Owen DeLong)

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Copyright (c) 2002 Ian Kluft

Some pictures are from others where noted - all are used with permission. Original owners retain their own copyrights.