We're a GO for Sunday the 21st, but with cautions...

Ralph & Kip met out at the farm Saturday afternoon and we seem to be in a bit better shape than we were expecting, with some important notes...

Set-up time crew figure on arriving at 10 AM, flying by 11 AM. Range closeure by 5 PM so we can pack up. 

Driving:  Between the gravel in the front and the porta-potty, particularly in the middle of the runway, is pretty squishy. Please stay as far left or right as you can esecially near this area. 

Also, let's try and limit the number of trips back and forth...  please figure on staying put once you get there rather than a bunch of in and out trips, that'll help keep the runway from getting torn up. 

It's supposed to be a beautiful day for January, but out in the fields there's still some snow and it will be pretty soggy in the low spots so wear good footwear and watch out walking around, it's liable to be muddy in spots. 

Ken from Performance Hobbies WILL be there.

Simpson cautions...  if you drift onto Mr. Simpson's you must take one of the officers with you to go retrieve, and you must actually speak with him before you can go into the fence enclosure and get your rocket. (As for me, I'm going to try to not need to go there really hard! Word to the wise...)

On that note, winds are supposed to be 3-5mph from the west to south west.

Thanks all...  dr

Saturday's looking soggy, but HOPEFULLY a Sunday January 21st Launch

UPDATE Friday evening... 

Not a lot has changed, you go squish squish squish if you walk across the runway, no way we can allow cars on it right now. Ralph & Kip are going to speak about 3 tomorrow (Sat.) and see where we are, how much melting and evaporation has happened and if the site can accomodate us. Right now we need a day of really good sunshine and a night that doesn't refreeze the ground so the water can evaporate off.

If we get good conditions then we'll go for Sunday, if not we'll recycle a week and try for the 26th & 27th as a 2-day launch which would suit folkks, particullarly those who drive good distances and especially Ken, much better than having a 1-day.

Truly this is the part of rocketry that sucks, we're going to have a beautiful weekend and we can't use it.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed and we'll see what happens. 

dr

Right now, as beautiful as Saturday is supposed to be, the field is probably not going to be in any condition to fly. There's still snow everywhere and we're concerned about tearing up the runway. As of Thursday evening if the snow melts and we get a good day Saturday we should be able to have a Sunday launch. Still need to check in with Kip but keep your fingers crossed!

dr

Launch Reports, 3 of 'em!

Launch Reports!! Count 'em, 3 of 'em!! Between Roy and I we managed to get the launch reports for the December and New Year's launches done, click the "read more" link as usual... dr

Click to read more ...

New Year's Launch is a GO! Noon Monday!

When: January 1st, 2018

Where: The Williams Farm. See Web Site for directions if you are new.

Set Up: Volunteers show up at 11:30 am to help setup.

Launch Start: As soon as set-up is complete, around Noon.

Launch Ends: Approximately 4:30ish PM so we have some light to close by, or unitl we all freeze.

Ken Allen, with Performance Hobbies is scheduled to be at the farm.

No Food will be available at the farm.

If you arrive early please don’t unpack you car until the field is set up. We will most likely have to shift cars around once the equipment is layout and to allow space for Ken.

WHEN ENTERING THE FARM, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DRIVE ON THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND PLEASE DRIVE SLOW!

Any pictures you take from any recent or upcoming launch that you would like to get posted on the web site for our embarrassment and your entertainment, just contact Doc Russell at: rocketrycarolina (at) gmail (dot) com. (Remember to make the appropriate substitutions... we don't like spam bots!) Or, as some have done, pass it on a disk or flash drive. We can always get it back to you. We are continuing with our Range Safety standards by making specific assignments:

RSO/ LCO = Range Safety Officer to pre-inspect rockets before flights
combined with the Launch Control Officer to check range conditions and control the launch’s in a timely and efficient manner. Check both the WEB site and at the launch for info on volunteering. It’s great for anybody who isn’t flying that day but wants to take part anyway. It’s fun to push the little red button.

ROCC Club Memberships. Memberships run Jan to Jan with the drive starting in Oct for the new coming year. Onsite: See our Membership Officer Jason Pettler. For MAIL-IN: See the web site for downloadable membership forms and e-mail address.

New Year's Launch is a GO!

A look ahead to a New Years Launch

We're trying to guage participation if we have a New Year's Day launch, right now it's predicted to be a high of 32 and winds of 8-10mph from the NNE (away from Mr. Simpson's property, but towards the tree line)

If you'd be up for it, please send a message to us via email ASAP!

rocketrycarolina (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks!!

EXTRA, EXTRA.... Wanna go to an Air Show?

We got an email from Paul Schaefer yesterday that I wanted to pass on...  

Good morning, We, (Tripoli nc) Michael Gunter and myself are displaying and catering at the Warbirds over Monroe airshow next weekend.      (edit... event website is HERE)

We are fund-raising for a full scale Nike Ajax project and recruiting for Tripoli. We are in need of any assistance available. 50,000 people are expected to attend the show.

Volunteers would be greatly appreciated.

We appologize for the short notice but it took awhile for us to get final nod from the organizers.

We are bringing our launch trailer with 1/2 scale Nike Ajax, Our 22' rocket grill.

The half-scale project is 16" dia. build,  18' tall rocket, name is TBD.

We are bringing food donated by US foods And Chandler Foods to cater and raise funds for the full scale Nike Ajax project, to be a 37' tall 2 stage project.

The menu is Brunswick stew, Janitas Carolina Stew, Pork BBQ, cornbread, cookies, etc.

We just need some physical assistance if you guys have or know of any younger folks to help serve food. Michael and I get so caught up in the presentation it's hard to do it all. (we are both disabled.)

We can offer some, but not a lot of money for your time, maybe $8 an hour?? 

Please get in touch ASAP...

Chef Paul Schaefer, L3

TRA# 12075

NAR# 28085

email:  Chefice99@hotmail.com

Cell 919-621-0290

So it sounds like an interesting opportunity if you can help out, spread the word to our rocketry buddies & see some cool stuff along the way!

dr

Not long now!!

As Summer winds down and the air starts to get a little cooler, a rocketeer's thoughts turn to...  AP!

Just saying, we're not long from the next season of flying at Kip's farm in Midland, time to start dusting off those range boxes and making sure all your fins are attached.

To get you in the spirit of things, here's a little piece put together at KQED for their Quest program... 

LINK

 See everybody soon!

Doc R.

48 years ago...

Where were you?

 

I was sitting in our living room with my parents and my Grand Mother, who as a child had seen the Wright brothers fly, watching this 48 years ago. 

Here's a LINK to Nasa's image gallery on Apollo 11...  enjoy!

Doc R.

Invite from NRVR in Blackburg, VA

We've had an invite to go to Blacksburg VA from Tweeks!

Details:  

Are you all interested in coming up to our “Big Summer Launch” July 15-16th? We'll be having multiple clubs.. motor vendor.. food vendor.. 3-4 clubs in attendance.. etc.

All attendees should RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1912745032273697/

Attendees who want to reserve a car/canopy setup space must also put in request in the event comments. (first come first serve)

Send any questions directly to us at officers@nrvr.org

Thomas "Tweeks" Weeks

NRVR

Website is HERE

dr