Copyright © 1964-2025 Tripoli Pittsburgh, Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc.
TRIPOLI Pittsburgh
Launch Report
October 5, 2025
Page 11
Flyers: 18
Flights: 50
The L1 was designed and built by TR Garman in 2020 for a Level 1 re-certification flight and to be easily flown on a regular basis to get aerial pictures.
Designed to fly on a 38mm H motor, the L1 has flown on I motors lately and in October, the first J.
Oh, and 10 onboard cameras too.
L1: Flight 25
Rob Camele gives the cameras a smile and wave after assisting in loading.
The L1 heads up from the high power pads on a J-350.
TR wasn't quite sure if the J motor would work or just tear the fins off.
Even with all of the drag-inducing boxes mounted all over it, the L1 tracks straight thru the perfect blue sky.
Photo: Dan Heinlen
The cameras capture a nice shot of the river and surrounding landscape as the parachute slips out of the Chute Release at apogee. And No, it wasn't supposed to slip out at apogee.
The pits still look pretty big on the way up...
...but look rather tiny at 2,000 feet.
Despite the parachute deploying at apogee, the light winds barely affected the L1 on descent. But TR couldn't find it when searching extensively, even with a drone to the right of the road.
It was not until he turned his head to the left, did he find it.
TR has a new rocket under construction that may debut in November to replace the L1. And while it may be relegated to the retirement home, the L1 has done its job and done it well.
Come out in November to see it's replacement fly!
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