January 2023 launch report

Our first flight of the year is in the can as we say in the TV biz... Roy has done a great job of summing up Hit the old "Read More" link to peruse the whole thing.

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Jan 21 Update (as of Thursday evening)

Well, Sunday's gonna really pull a vacuum as far as weather is concerned (MAP)

SO, we're planning a Saturday only launch right now. That's January 21st. But, the silver lining is that the weather for Saturday is looking beautiful for a January day in Charlotte. 

We'll see you out there at 10, get set up and fly until about 5. 

Ken is scheduled to be with us on Saturday so bring that holiday cash!

We also have the revised MEMBERSHIP FORM available so you can re-up your membership. 

Also, speaking of membership, we really need to have an election. Between Ralph, Roy and myself we've been running along for a while now but I really need to consider backing down a bit. As some of you know I've had some health issues this past 6 months and could really use some more recovery time. So if someone out there wants to step up and pick up some of the lifting on scheduling, set-up & tear down, stuff like that it'd be helpful. None of us are spring chickens any more! I think we can do the election over Facebook as a poll, I'll look into that. 

See you all Saturday!!

TB/dr

New Years Day 2023 update:

Hey all you ROCC'ers...

Looking through the crystal ball of weather forecasts it's not looking good for our New Years Day launch this Sunday.

It's supposed to start raining late Friday and then rain all through Saturday into early morning Sunday. Without a day to let the field drain off we really don't feel it'd be safe to run cars up and down the runway.

Look forward to our regularly scheduled launch window on the 21st & 22nd.

January 1st??

Hey fellow ROCC'ers, and Happy ChristmaHanuKwanziChah!  Right now it's looking like a rainy weekend for the annual January 1st launch. We'll keep an eye out on it and see what we might be able to do, but long range weather is calling for rain on Saturday 12/31 & Sunday 1/1. 

Keep a watch out on this site or the Facebook page for up-to-date information.

TB/dr 

December 2022 Post-Launch Report

Roy's post-launch of our December 2022 launch is here, please hit the "Read More" link to read all the details.

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December 17th & 18th UPDATE:

Okay, we're a GO for both days this weekend.

HOWEVER... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember that on Saturday the field will be still fairly mushy, drying out from the last several days rain & clouds. Drive CAREFULLY down the sides of the runway and limit in-and-outs as much as possible. If you can walk to the porta-john please do rather than taking the car.

Ken MAY be with us (haven't heard if he left yet) since MDRA scrubbed their Saturday launch due to weather. They've had essentially the same as we've had but colder. As I said the other day if you have motors to flog you might want to try to sell them this weekend, since Ken may not be available.

Please choose your launch angles carefully. The winds are now projected at about 9-17 knots at 240 degrees, which puts it approximately down the runway toward the road but fairly stiff breezes.

Ralph & Roy will be there Saturday, I'll be there Sunday if anyone still needs to get rockets out of trees. (I'm lookin at you UNCC!)

See you all there!

TB/dr

December 17th & 18th launch preview

Looking forward to the weekend, weather is looking fairly good albeit cold. Saturday is the predicted windier day with 9 or so MPH headed Easterly, then Sunday at 6 or so moving south easterly.

Setup I figure at 10 to let it warm up just a bit, and we'll fly till about 4:30 so we can strike.

Ken's calendar says he's in Maryland & Pittsburgh this weekend so if you have some spare motors it might be a good weekend to flog them at the field.

Keep an eye out, I'll post an update Friday.

TB/dr

 

November 2022 Launch Report

Click the "Read More" button to read Roy's recap of our November launch.

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ROCC November 19th & 20th Launch Info

OK, heard back from Ralph & Kip.

The November 19th & 20th 2022 launch is a GO!

Kip is still harvesting, and may be harvesting on Saturday &/or Sunday while we're out there depending on how fast the fields dry from the rain today. So please don't block up the runway or entrances to any of the barns, and please keep track of small objects like dogs & children. Count noses often!

We'll set up about 9:30, range open by 11. It'll be cold to start so dress in layers people! Range will close by 4:30 so we can close down the field, sunset is at 5:11.

Ken will be with us on SATURDAY ONLY. So if you're needing launch supplies please come out and get 'em on Saturday.

Due to the fire risks we will not be flying Sparky motors. It's just too dangerous with crops possibly still in the fields.

Please remember that we ask a $10/day donation for non-members and a $5/day donation for members to go to Kip for use of the farm. We've not been good about this lately and I'd like to make sure we get back to doing what we promised him & his dad when we fly.

ROCC memberships will be coming around again in January and most of that money goes to pay for servicing the Port-o-Pot that's out there. It's gone up the last few years and now is (I believe) $100/weekend to get it serviced. I will be around Saturday and Sunday afternoons (I've got a shoot both mornings dang it!) with the membership book so see me if you want to join or renew. I will try and hang out at the RSO table so you can find me. Look for the big grey bearded guy.

All that said let's have a safe and fun launch season!

TB/dr

Next launch November 19/20, 2022

Hey fellow ROCC'ers!

We were hoping to get our season off to a modest start with an LP launch this Saturday but several things are working against us. The corn is gone, but the soybean crop is still in about half the fields, and where they are we really needed the wind to be out of the southwest. All predictions are that it will be out of the Northeast, right into the beans. Second, the beans are bone dry so Kip is nervous about fire right now, but to top it all off Ralph tested positive for Covid today.

All that said we'll look to our regular 3rd weekend, November 19th & 20th, to get our season started.

Please remember that we use the Midland field at the pleasure of Kip (the owner) and we need to support Kip in every way possible. If he's nervous about us being there we just don't go.

Speaking about the Midland field, a quick review... 

*Remember that this is a working farm, please no unattended children from your party wandering off where they can get into trouble. There are animals and farm equipment with pointy bits (both animal and mineral) that are very tempting, but also very dangerous to wandering small fry. 

*Remember we essentially rent the field, so remember your flight fees. $10/day for non members, $5/day for ROCC members. This goes to Kip for the use of the field.

*Remember that our membership year runs from January to December, so everyone will be up for renewal in January. Among other things these help us to fund the Portajohn maintinance, which runs about $100/weekend. Unfortunately there's no other location close to the farm that gets serviced by any of the portajohn companies (we've checked) so we pay a premium for that. 

*Use best judgement when launching. Rockets should be aimed out over the empty area to the West (downrange) just a bit, so they don't fly over the flight line and spectators. This is in both NAR and TRA safety guidelines. 

*Sparky motors aren't specifically prohibited but should be flown with extream caution. Use the Nomex blankets and alert the RSO & LCO that you're flying a sparky motor. We will probably have a spotter assigned to the pads for your launch with fire suppression equipment on hand. 

Looking forward to a great season, hope to see all of you soon.

TB/dr