Night launch April 26th

The launch on April 26th & 27th will have lots of special things going on, but one that folks have been asking for a lot is a night launch. 

We have secured a special waiver from the FAA and CLT allowing us to have night operations from 8 untill 9:30 PM on the 26th. 

We've posted the rules over in the "Contest Info" section (in the right column) so you can get all the info there. We decided to go a bit larger with engine size due to the number of requests, but keep in mind that our hard ceiling is 1,500' AGL. We're capping motors to I-impulse, and you can do up to a 3-motor cluster as long as your total impulse doesn't exceed the I impulse class. No multi-staging or air starts and you need to make sure that the rocket is illuminated through the entire flight.

So go read the regs and get to building!

dr

February 23rd & March 1st flight report

Roy's report on our split launch, from February 23rd and March 1st. Soggy as the 23rd was, the first of March was one of the finest flight days you could have asked for. Temps about perfect and no wind at all. Click the "Read More" link to see the whole thing.

Click to read more ...

Saturday, March 1st - Launch is a GO - Low Winds Projected

When: March 1, 2014

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

Set up Time:  11:30 am to avoid the weather.  We need Volunteers! 

Launch ends:   Approximately around 5:30 PM so we have some light to close up.      

Remember that this is a working farm, so dress accordingly, sturdy shoes and suggest you dress in layers so you can take layers off and on as the temperature changes.

LCO/RSO Rules for 2013/2014 

1. The RSO will be required to be Level 2 minimum, ROCC member, and a NAR/Tripoli member. The same person can volunteer to RSO/LCO in a given time slot, as long as they meet the RSO requirements.

2. The LCO will be required to be Level 1 minimum, ROCC member, and a NAR/Tripoli member.

3. Rockets that will be required to be inspected by the RSO:
   a. Any rocket flying on an E motor or above.
   b. Any rocket using more than one motor, either clustered or multi stage.
   c. Any rocket weighing more than 1 pound.

4. Groups that come out to launch will have a Level 2 member assigned to them to make sure all rules are being followed.

Duty signups sheet will be at the front table for RSO/LCO. If you’re a Level 2, we need you to volunteer!!!!

 * Ken will be onsite!

Sunday, February 23 Launch - Green Light!

The launch scheduled for Sunday, February 23 is a GO! Set up time will be 9:45am, please come out and help.

* Please make sure you drive along the sides of the driveway/runway, and drive SLOWLY!

* The fields are going to be muddy, so dress appropriately.

Saturday, February 22 - Launch Cancelled

Saturday, February 22 has been cancelled because of the field conditions. Kip reported that we still have standing water on the runway. 

Still holding out hope for Sunday, so keep checking back tomorrow. 

February 22nd and 23rd, 2014 - Launch

Theme: Multi Stage

When: February 23, 2014, field conditions permitting.

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

Set Up:   We need Volunteers!  Please be at the field at 9:45am.

Set up Time: 9:30am

Launch ends:   Approximately around 4:00 PM so we have some light to close up.      

Remember that this is a working farm, so dress accordingly, sturdy shoes and suggest you dress in layers so you can take layers off and on as the temperature changes.

LCO/RSO Rules for 2013/2014 

1. The RSO will be required to be Level 2 minimum, ROCC member, and a NAR/Tripoli member. The same person can volunteer to RSO/LCO in a given time slot, as long as they meet the RSO requirements.

2. The LCO will be required to be Level 1 minimum, ROCC member, and a NAR/Tripoli member.

3. Rockets that will be required to be inspected by the RSO:
   a. Any rocket flying on an E motor or above.
   b. Any rocket using more than one motor, either clustered or multi stage.
   c. Any rocket weighing more than 1 pound.

4. Groups that come out to launch will have a Level 2 member assigned to them to make sure all rules are being followed.

Duty signups sheet will be at the front table for RSO/LCO. If you’re a Level 2, we need you to volunteer!!!!

 * Ken will be onsite on Sunday, February 23 only. 

January Launcicles

BUUUURRRRRRR... it was cold!! (How cold was it?) It was so cold.... I can't feel my fingers to type the rest of this sentence! Luckily Roy has taken our flight cards and deciphered our shaky handwriting to deliver the latest flight report... you know what to do. Thanks Roy! dr

Click to read more ...

Take a moment and remember.

This time of year, the 27th of January, brings me back to when I was 10 years old, and the nation stopped, stunned, as 3 american astronauts were lost in a horiffic moment in time.For those who might not know a lot about the event NASA's history page is HERE. After this event we didn't know if the Apollo program would go on.

What has struck me over the years is how, through weather related events, we've suffered 2 more events that have taken 2 shuttle crews from us. Cold weather and ice have directly contributed to both the Challenger and the Columbia accidents.

All 3 of these events fall in a fairly short span of time, just a week's time, from late January to early February. Take a moment out of your day and remember these fallen heros.

dr

Jason Pettler - New Membership Secretary

Jason Pettler was elected to the board this weekend. Jason has agreed to take over the membership duties for the club. The first goal for Jason is to create/maintain a spreadsheet with all of the current members. This spreadsheet will be provided to Doc so the webpage will be updated on a regular basis. I have also requested that Jason upgrade the entire membership process so it's less confusing. 

I would also like to thank Roy who was filling both the membership, and treasury roles simultaneously. Roy will maintain his role as treasurer. 

Please join me in welcoming Jason to his new role. 

January 19th launch is cancelled

January 19th launch is cancelled, more wind projected tomorrow. Not much interest from the group wanting to brave the wind again tomorrow.