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TRIPOLI Pittsburgh

Launch Report

May 19, 2024

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Flyers: 14

Flights: 39

Kian Kissinger is the youngest son of veteran TRIPOLI Pittsburgh flyer Scott Kissinger and has been coming out to the launches for a couple of years helping his father fly. Kian flew his Level 1 certification in May of 2021 and at the May 2024 launch he attempted his Level 2.

Kian Kissinger

Scott supervises Kian as he readies the Falcon 5 for flight.

The Falcon 5 is scratch built with a 4" diameter and a length of 7'8", weighing 8 lbs. it is loaded here with an Aerotech J500 Green.

Note the orange camera taped to the midsection with the lime green tape.

Kian actually built the Falcon in 2021 but "took a while to paint it" he said, "and was afraid of scratching it."

Aren't we all!

Kian Kissinger watches as his Level 2 Certification rocket the Falcon 5 lifts off on an Aerotech J-500.

Onboard the Falcon 5.

Apogee charge fires aboard the Falcon 5.

The Falcon 5. drifts perfectly back to earth on a 60" semi-hemispherical Dragon Rocketry parachute.

Scott looks awfully proud of his son.

And rightfully so...

Kian looks pretty happy also, as he should be after a successful Level 2 Certification flight.

Nice job Kian!

When asked if he would pursue his Level 3 Certification, Kian said, "Absolutely! I'm going to upscale the Falcon 5 to 7.5" diameter with a slightly different fin configuration, joining the split fins into a single." And while Kian is still collecting parts, he would like to fly at the end of 2024 or early 2025.

So we have another big flyer going big! Way to go Buddy!

At 2900-something feet in altitude, Kian posted a good height for the Mile High contest. Except for John Haught. See next page.....

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