Request for date change for April Rocket Launch

Due to Easter falling on our normal launch weekend, we want to move our date so as not to conflict with everyone's Easter plans. There was a discussion and a straw vote at the March Sunday launch of moving the April ROCC launch date to the last (5th) weekend of April, the 29th and 30th. By doing this it would provide a better weekend for having a camp-out launch. Also, since the Williams are going to plant Milo and Corn, it may be one of the last launches we can have before the corn really takes off. Also, Ken Allen said he could come back on that weekend before heading to the summer launches up North. Members in attendance were myself, Steve B., Roy Potter, Bob B, Terry Baucom, Tony Casey, Jim Crabtree, Mark Ferrel. The Sheas and the Lowes, however, they were not there when we had a straw vote. The consensus was to go ahead and move it. I am polling the rest of the current membership for your opinion. Which would you prefer, the 4th or 5th weekend of April. Let me know over the next day or two and we will make a final decision. Call me at 704-568-1070 or email me at roccprez at bellsouth dot net . Also, there was a new joint statement released concerning the Fed vs Rocket Hobby court case and then what we fliers need to do posted by NAR and TRA. Basically, nothing has changed,if you fly HP motors you need a LEUP to purchase. The next court dates may run down into July before we hear anything else. I have just renewed my LEUP and I am expecting it any day. I can still grant permission letters for contingent storage in my magazine so let me know. Thanks, Ralph Roberts ROCC Prez

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The pictures are back.

They're not in a flashy gallery, but the pictures are finally back on the site. I'm still looking into some kind of gallery software, but at least these are here. On that note, if you have pictures, send them to us, and we'll get them posted.

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The world is catching up with science fiction

Looks like another Star Trek gadget is on the verge of becoming reality. Here's the link. In a similar vein, I highly recommend this show to any Star Trek fans: How William Shatner Changed the World. Inventions inspired by "Star Trek" help change the world; host William Shatner. It's on the History Channel. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Regards, Bob Bernatchez

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March 2006 Launch is a go

Everyone: Ralph Roberts here, The March Launch is a go at Williams Farm this coming weekend March 18th and 19th. Ken Allen from Performance Hobbies will be at the launch both days. Come buy some stuff! If you want something special contact him before the launch. www.performancehobbies.com or just call him. Note: Due to the recent fire danger alerts, please limit flights accordingly. If you have a marginally stable shot planned, lets wait till close to sunset to fly when the winds are lowest. Also I will have the Fire Extinguishers recharged. Also, there will be two TARC groups trying to certify for the Rocket Competition, you NAR guys check in with me if you can help witness their flights. NAR contest this month, really, due to winds last month the contest was delayed until now. We'll do what we've been doing: 1/2A Boost Glider duration, C Eggloft duration 1/2A Parachute duration. We will have the Boost glider kits for sale for $5.00, a version of this kit has won the last two boost glider contest. Call me before the weekend if you want one before Saturday. The 2006 membership drive continues, please renew or join at this launch. We will also have the T-Shirts for sale. Sizes from Youth Large to Adult 2XL. We will start the launch at 11:00AM to extend the day. We will be running the launch from 11:00AM to 6:00PM each day. Setup is at 10:30AM. We will have the Porta-A-Jon at this launch. This is another expense we have to add onto our budget per launch, it cost $58.00 a month to have a porta-Jon on the site. Please come out and support the Porta-Jon! We need as many people as we can to make our flyer fee goal. Last month we had a small turnout again. We need everyone and their donations so please contribute if you fly. Remember our recommended donation is $8.00-$10.00 per flyer per day, families with lots of young flyers maybe a $10.00 donation would be good. Again, these are recommendations not harden rule yet. The requested weekend land fee from the land owner is $250, so we need everyone to drop a little something in the jar. Anyone needing to certify, please contact me ahead of time. Todd Haring or Terry Baucom can arrange to have the Level 2 NAR test delivered to the field and we can have others administer the test. Club Meeting: Per straw vote it was decided to move the April launch to the 4th weekend, Easter is the 3rd weekend. So April launch date is set to April 22nd and 23rd, Ken will not be here unless his schedule could change. Summer field to fly on. Brad Shea has done some homework here so hopefully he will have some information for us. Corn will be planted in the fields this year, We will be able to fly through May, and maybe June if we move the launch up a weekend or two. Lets discuss. If you have any questions please email me at _ROCCPREZ@bellsouth.net_ () or call me at 704-568-1070. PRE-LAUNCH TASK JOHN HOOD - Call the waiver in, contact Ralph to confirm. BOB B - Let us know what you need and how much help you will need for the contest. STEVE B - I remember Roy mentioning flight cards, do we need for this launch, if taken care last month disregard. Thanks, Ralph Roberts ROCC Prez

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NAR Sport Rocketry this month

Check out this month's issue of Sport Rocketry magazine from NAR! Our friends and family are all OVER it! Great write-up and photos from Freedom Launch in Orangeburg last summer. Great job all!!! See you this weekend at the farm..... DR

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Setup Diagram for the New Launch Control System

Here is a pdf of the diagram for setting up the new launch control system.

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Make-Up February Launch Is A Go

Everyone: The Make-Up February Launch is a go at Williams Farm this coming weekend Feb 25th and 26th. NAR contest this Weekend. (Volunteers need to help judge and time and assist Bob B. with the contest.) 1/2A Boost Glider duration, C Eggloft duration 1/2A Parachute duration. There will be prizes and NAR ribbons awarded to the winners. Many Mini-Manta kits were sold last weekend, look for some good compition. Brent Johnson from Hobbytown USA in Mooresville, NC will be our vendor this launch. The 2006 membership drive has begun, please renew or join at this launch. We will also have the T-Shirts for sale. Sizes from Youth Med to Adult 2XL. We will be running the launch from 11:00AM to 6:00PM each day. Setup is at 10:30AM. Attention Doc Russell: I still need setup instructions for the new launch controller/system. We may want to run both 12 pad launch controllers this launch. I want to run at least 12 Estes pads with the rest Med/High Power. We will have the Porta-A-Jon at this launch. This is another expense we have to add onto our budget per launch, it cost $58.00 a month to have a porta-Jon on the site. Please come out and support the Porta-Jon! We need as many people as we can to make our flyer fee goal. Last month we had a small turnout again. We need everyone and their donations so please contribute if you fly. Remember our recommended donation is $8.00-$10.00 per flyer per day, families with lots of young flyers maybe a $10.00 donation would be good. Again, these are recommendations not harden rule yet. The requested weekend land fee from the land owner is $250, so we need everyone to drop a little something in the jar. Anyone needing to certify, please contact me ahead of time. Todd Haring and Terry Baucom can arrange to have the Level 2 NAR test delivered to the field and we can have others administer the test. Club Meeting: (Everyone, please remind me when it is 3:00, I get caught up doing other stuff as you all know.) There will be a short meeting each day at 3:00pm to discuss some issues. New item : What to do on rainy launch days, general club meeting, hosting site? Recommendations needed. Summer field to fly on. Corn will be planted in the fields this year, We will be able to fly through May, and maybe June if we move the launch up a weekend or two. Lets discuss. When to have the Spring Campout launch, anything special here? Any other items? Anyone who can help setup and tear down will be appreciated, I may need to leave early Saturday. If you have any questions please email me at ROCCPREZ@bellsouth.net <> or call me at 704-568-1070. Weather Note: A cold front is slated to move through Saturday night. Winds Sat are to be from the SSW at 10mph. Sunday winds are slated to be from the NW at 10-20 MPH. So if you are planning to come, you may want to lean towards Saturday, just a thought. Still to early to tell. Thanks, Ralph Roberts ROCC Prez

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Latest weather-related UPDATE

Everyone: Explanation for the GO decision! I feel obligated to Ken and our posted scheduled to attempt to have a launch this weekend. It is a great asset to have a vendor at a launch and for so long we have struggled without one, now we have two really trying to accommodate us. Lets try to make the most out of a bad situation. Support our vendors and fly when we can. Even though moving to the next weekend was the popular choice among all of you, I am torn. I feel the best way to accommodate everyone and to stay to our posted schedule for Sunday and have a make-up launch next week. Please contact Ken at 202-723-8257 if you would like to place an order. I will be picking up orders for some others, I will be glad to pick up others. Mooresville's Hobbytown USA contact is Brent, call 704-799-9332 and leave a list for "Brent" . He said he will attend weather permitting. Thanks, Ralph

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Launch Update

Man, have the e-mails been flyin' today!!! (culled from various e-mails by Doc): Looks like we are going to ABORT SATURDAY, go for SUNDAY ONLY for this weekend and try for a 2-day on the 25th-26th. Updated info will be forthcoming, but here's the latest from 'el Presidente: Everyone: As it stands right now the current cold front will move through today (Friday). Then it sets up for cold air to start building in with temps dropping though the day tomorrow. It will be warmest in the morning then turning colder. Rain/sleet and snow at a 60-70% chance is the call for tomorrow with a dry cold day forecast for Sunday. Sunday looks OK provided it is then not too wet. The "park at the house" rule may have to be in effect for Sunday. Ken and Brent (Hobbytown, USA) want to attend weather permitting. I need to let them know something ASAP. I will call Kip today and get his take on the situation as well. What ever we do, I would think we should plan on flying next weekend to provide another makeup day. Thanks, Ralph

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February 2006 Launch

Everyone: The February Launch is a go at Williams Farm this coming weekend Feb 18th and 19th. The issue will be weather, as of Weds night there is a 40% chance of showers Sat and even a small chance on Sunday. Winds N-NE 5-10 calming toward evening. Highs in the mid 40s. Not the best of scenarios. Please keep advised of the email and websites all weekend for last minute changes. As always launch site weather available via cell phone at 704-560-0147 the days of the launch.

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