Saturday, March 2 - Successful!

We had a couple of hours of snow flurries to deal with in the morning, but it cleared and provided some perfect launch weather. Winds were 5 or less, and the sun was out for a good portion of the day. 

We also helped members from a Boy Scout Pack earn their Space Exploration Merit Badge. I want to thank Tommy Propst for bring the scouts up to the field. Doug also helped a TARC team make some very successful flights.

So if you let snow flurries scare you off, you missed it! :)

New Launch Procedures - RSO/LCO

Over the last couple of years, I've heard from a lot of members with ideas on how to improve the launch procedures. So starting this month, we will try the refined procedures listed below. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at johnbergsmith@me.com.

1. We will not be pre-inspecting the rockets prior to them be loaded on the pads. The RSO/LCO positions will essentially be combined. The RSO/LCO will inspect the rockets at the pads focusing primarily on mid to high power models, and Odd Rockets. Just prior to launching, the LCO/RSO will conduct a walk around of the pads focusing on rod angles. The LCO/RSO will also read over the launch slips one final time, particularly HP, to determine if any threat to our waiver exists. If the LSO/RSO has any questions or concerns, they will seek a second opinion from the club leadership.

2.  For Odd Rocks, it's up to the builder to prove stability, not for the RSO/LCO to make a field determination. A rocket design program printout, or if the model has been successfully flown will suffice in most cases.

3. For contests, it will be up to the CD to RSO all rockets to determine if the designs are safe.

4. For TARC/Boy Scout groups we will rely on their mentor or we will assign a Level 2 member to RSO their rockets.

3. At this point, I see no reason to require the LCO/RSO to be level 2. We have enough level 2 club leaders to support the LCO/RSO that is only level 1. However, by the start of next season we will require all LCO/RSO to be level 2.

Launch Flow - More Flights!

Most of the complaints I've received can be eliminated in these three steps. Starting this month we will make an effort to make sure these steps are being followed.

1. If you sign up for the LCO/RSO it's your job to keep the launches going. Don't wonder off, stay up front. It gives you time to see what people are bring up to launch to determine if we might have questions. Also, if we have two rockets on the pads, and nobody else coming, launch them.

2. Let the rockets be the star of the show. In other words, read the info on the card and let's go.

3. Once the rocket clears the airspace above the launch pads, and will land in the field, move on to the next rocket. We waste way too much time, particularly with LP, watching the entire flight.

Group Visits to the Farm – New Rule Effective Immediately

We will be limiting the size of the youth groups that come out to launch with us to (10). This number could increase to (15) depending on the age of the kids, day they choose to launch, and the amount of supervision the group will provide. Basically, I will be looking for the group to provide one parent for every two kids. We’ve had some complaints/concerns over the last two seasons, including from our land owner. I believe this new rule will address and reduce those issues.

Most requests come via are website, but if you have a group that has an interest in joining us, please have them contact me directly.

Thanks

John

We finely made it. We got a Launch! Saturday 2 February Report

Rain... Snow... Sleet... Mud... some elongated spheroid match... all were Conspiring Against Us!!! But at last, on February 2nd, we got in our January launch! (well, most of it anyway) Here's Roy's post-launch report on the whole enchilada...

Click to read more ...

2/2 Launch - GO! * Ralph will be onsite w/food

When : Saturday, February 2, 2013

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

Set Up :   We need Volunteers!  Please be at the field at 9:30am.

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

Launch ends :   Approximately around 5:00 PM so we have some light to close up.      

Weather at this time : 46 degrees, breezy – Dress Warm  

Ken Allen, Performance Hobbies, is expected to be onsite. 

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. When the sun is shining at the farm it is like a solar collector out there with the open field so it can be 10 degrees warmer when the sun is clear than in the city. 

We are continuing with our Range Safety standards, although changes may be coming to this system. If you're a level 2, we need you to sign up for an hour of RSO duty.

 RSO=, Range Safety Officer to pre-inspect rockets before flights.

 LCO=, 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’s for info on volunteering for RSO (Cert Lv-2 required) and LCO (Cert Lv-1 preferred, but any responsible and experienced adult can apply).

Duty signups sheet will be at the front table for RSO, LCO, and equipment take down. Please remember to sign up. 

Check the Web Site for any possible last minute changes.

Help request

I got this from the website... I ran in to this person at the Hobby Town while shopping... is there any one that can help her out? (Doc R.)

Quoted text:
Your Name: Christy Flynn
Your Email: cflynn at micharter dot org (make the usual punctuation-dr)
Subject: School Visit Request
Message: Hello! I met someone from your club at the HobbyTown USA on Harris Blvd earlier today. I have a group of 15 students who will be building and launching level 1 rockets on Thursday or Friday of this week (1/31 or 2/1) while the majority of their classmates are attending SpaceCamp in Huntsville. I realize it's short notice but we would welcome a rocket expert to help guide them through the launch & answer questions. Please let me know as soon as possible if anyone would be available either day 8:00a-1:00p. The only time that is not available is 11:00-12:00 on 1/31 due to a scheduled guest speaker. The address for Mountain Island Charter School is 14516 Lucia Riverbend Hwy, Mt Holly, NC 28120. My phone number is 704-663-9373 and the school number is 704-827-8840.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Christy Flynn
6th Grade Science Teacher

Remember the Winter Contests... better get going!

As a reminder (and a nudge for folks like ME!) we have 3 contests coming up in January & February.

January's is the Golf Ball Altitude on a C engine impluse. Basically anything that adds up to a C, like 2 B's, 4 A's, a B & 2 A's, or just a C obviously. The golf ball must recover safely, not just crash from a great height, so you need a recovery device. (I thought of just gluing a motor on, but that won't cut it!)

February's 2 contests are described very well in the Winter Contest Rules .pdf available on this site... just look to the right for "Contest Info" link.

There's also a post in the regular comments section for places where you can get the cluster rings.

Check it out, and (like me), get building!

More on the Golf Ball contest from Roy:

"C" Motor Altitude GOLF BALL Launch Contest

Gold, Silver and Bronze "Mega Mosquito’s" Awarded. (ready to fly)

Any ESTES "C" Motor, C5, C6, C11 (recommended to keep the playing field even)

or an equivalent, example, two "B’s", four "A’s" or a mixture.

* Rocket Must Pass Regular RSO Pre-launch Inspection.

* Rocket may utilize any design concept that pass’s the RSO Inspection.

* Rocket must have a acceptable recovery system for safety.

* Jolly Roger Altimeter Ones will be provided. You can use your own if you have one.

* Jolly Rogers are small enough to fit in a BT-20 body tube.

* Jolly Rogers require air holes in the body to register air pressure change.

* Jolly Rogers can be carried outside rocket body piggy-back.

Fliers can make multiple flights with highest flight scored.

Fliers can make different rockets but only the highest flight will be scored.

Only One Award per flier.

Highest scored flier gets First, Next flier gets Second, Next flier gets Third.

Brad Shea "Test Flew" his "Golf Ball" rocket using a simple BT-20 tube RTF rocket

with plastic fins with a coupler attached to the ball using a large streamer recovery.

Using a C6-3 he got 595 feet.

New Years Day Launch - Saturday, January 5, 2013

When : Saturday, January 5, 2013

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

Set Up :   We need Volunteers! Please be at the field at 9:30am.

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

Launch ends :   Approximately around 5:00 PM so we have some light to close up.      

Weather at this time :  Looking good at this time.  

Ken Allen, Performance Hobbies, is expected to be onsite. 

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. When the sun is shining at the farm it is like a solar collector out there with the open field so it can be 10 degrees warmer when the sun is clear than in the city. 

We are continuing with our Range Safety standards, although changes may be coming to this system. If you're a level 2, we need you to sign up for an hour of RSO duty.

 RSO=, Range Safety Officer to pre-inspect rockets before flights.

 LCO=, 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’s for info on volunteering for RSO (Cert Lv-2 required) and LCO (Cert Lv-1 preferred, but any responsible and experienced adult can apply).

Duty signups sheet will be at the front table for RSO, LCO, and equipment take down. Please remember to sign up. 

Check the Web Site for any possible last minute changes.

New Years Day Launch - Rescheduled for 1/5

Because of the projected weather for 1/1, we have decided to move the New Years Day Launch to Saturday, January 5th. I have contacted Ken, and he will be onsite for the launch. Please check the website later in the week for more details.

Thanks

John

Happy Christmas

Probably the most famous christmas broadcast ever for our generation.... LINK

Peace on earth & good will to all...

dr