ORIGINAL: khodges
How fast did that M2500 min. dia. get on its way to 28.5K? Are the hybrids still being used, you know, the ones that used nitrous and rubber? They were getting a lot of P.R. from the mfg's about the time I quit.
Was anyone close to that ballistic landing? Everybody needs to see at least one, hard to believe the kinetic energy when one of these things comes straight down.
Not sure as I did not see the altimeter data, but I'd guess it was just transsonic. The hybrids have been somewhat flat, as the initial start-up costs (ground support equipment, etc) have scared some people away. But if the ATF is succesful in their efforts to further restrict and regulate access to APCP (ammonium perchlorate propellant), then I would expect a large growth in interest. In the old picture I posted a few posts back, at the LA Colisuem - the tall guy with the long blond hair is Dave Griffith, who developed and popularized the "monotube" style hybrid (Rattworks).
The ballistic arrival was (fortunately) nowhere close to anyone - it landed about half mile away. We are fortunate enough to have the open desert areas to fly out here (and get high altitude waivers from the FAA). They sound cool on the descent - followed by that loud "THUMP" - but it does raise the hair on your neck!!
Barry