Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEXT LAUNCH - SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2004, 9:00 AM to 1:00
PM **LAUNCH PAD CHAT FROM THE EDITOR Next month's launch on January 15 is the SARA 10 year Anniversary. Don't forget that the launch day will be extended from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Note that the launch will be held on the R/C side of the TIMPA field near the ramada. SARA has rocketry competitions, "M" power demonstrations, "Rent-A-Rocs", and other activities scheduled for the launch. Volunteers are needed and welcome. Please talk to Jay Dennis or Jay Dickhous at the launch to volunteer your assistance. We're not asking for a whole day's commitment, just a couple of hours. Also, ask your spouses or older children if they can help. Even if they don't fly rockets, we need non-rocketeers who can help with public support and registration functions. We will hold the election of officers for 2005 at the December launch. If you are interested in running for office you may nominate yourself. If you are interested but cannot attend the launch let one of the existing officers or me know of your interest. Finally, what do "Car and Driver" magazine and Alpha III's have in common? If you look on page 88 of the January 2005 issue you'll see a picture of Jay Dennis and his "M" powered Alpha III in the bed of his pickup truck. The picture is part of Car and Driver's 10 Best issue under the title "Strange Things Carried in the Bed of a Pickup". Steve Lubliner SARA News Editor ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **TIME TO RENEW SARA MEMBERSHIP FOR 2005 We encourage you to consider joining SARA at any of the following annual levels: Junior (18 years or younger) . . . $10.00 Senior (over 18 years) . . . . . . $20.00 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00 Members pay only $3.00 for the daily TIMPA range fee so annual SARA membership basically pays for itself if you join and attend our monthly launches on a fairly regular basis. It should be noted that the range fee money that we collect DOES NOT get deposited in the SARA bank account but is handed directly over to TIMPA as payment for our use of the launch facility. Benjamin Nead, SARA Membership Director ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **JUST ROCKETS LAUNCH SCHEDULE Las Vegas based rocket distributor "Just Rockets" indicates that they will attend our December launch. Just Rockets carries a selection of mid and high power rocketry materials including reload kits, motor casings, building materials, and electronics. Check their website at www.justrockets.com to see what's available. Let's make it worthwhile for Just Rockets to make the trip and support us in Tucson. Their phone number is 702-655-3538 if you want to coordinate your order over the phone in advance of the launch. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **WEB SITE The Southern Arizona Rocketry Association maintains a web site at "http://www.sararocketry.org" that details all of our club activities. It's always a good idea to check it to see if there is a last minute launch cancellation or other late breaking news. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **NOVEMBER 2004 LAUNCH REPORT The SARA monthly sport launch for November was held on Sunday the 21st at the TIMPA site with an FAA waiver in effect. Unfortunately, while the temperature was nice, the wind was always at least brisk and was often harder than that, with much blowing sand and tumbleweeds. After spending about 2 hours of frustration, waiting, with only a few low powered flights accomplished, the launch was officially cancelled. Seven people did manage to make 9 flights---all clean or nominal except for one rocket hung on a rod because of the increased friction from wind pressure. Two people made 2 flights each and the others each had a single flight. All the rockets flown were fairly small and motor usage was: 1/2A-3, A-1, B-4, and C-1. The new hybrid launch system was out at the field and its principles of operation demonstrated, it will soon be ready for use. Thanks are due the people who helped bring about this added launch capability. Many people helped set up and tear down the range and waited patiently for the conditions to improve, but unfortunately they did not. Jerry King SARA Statistician ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTEES President . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Dickhous If you are new to SARA, please feel free to introduce yourself to any and all of the new and returning board officers or appointees at the launch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **SARA 2005 LAUNCH CALENDAR / TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE Below is the schedule for the TIMPA launches for the calendar year 2005. SARA is able to accommodate high power rocket models at each scheduled launch. Each launch is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waivered event. Waivered launches are where The FAA grants approval to SARA to launch models that are limited to a maximum altitude of 4500 feet above ground level (AGL) and use a K impulse motor or less . . . . restrictions imposed by our launch site dimensions. We do several non-launching activities each year, such as building sessions and static displays, and we will add these to the calendar as planning begins to develop and exact dates are confirmed. Please check the SARA web site for last minute updates on all launches and events. We try to keep our calendar as up-to-date as possible but there are always new events being added and the occasional last minute substitution. We recommend confirming any last minute changes by visiting our web site before making the long drive. SATURDAY JANUARY 15 9AM to 6PM SARA 10th Anniversary ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **DIRECTIONS TO TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE From I-10 and Speedway, Exit 257 . . . 1) Travel west on Speedway past all building developments and the Wildlife Museum. Proceed with caution as Speedway crests over Gates Pass and turns into Gates Pass Road. 2) Continue on Gates Pass Road until it ends at the "T" intersection, Kinney Road. Turn right here as if you were headed towards the Desert Museum. At about one mile past the museum entrance (about 10 miles past I-10 and Speedway), Kinney Road changes its name to Mile Wide Road. 3) The next intersection, about six miles past the Gates Pass/Kinney "T", is Sandario Road. Come to a complete stop as the north/south traffic does not. Proceed through, heading due west. You will eventually cross two bridges. After the second bridge, Mile Wide Road turns into a dirt road. 4) At about 3.5 miles past the Mile Wide/Sandario intersection, Mile Wide Road makes a forced turn to the right and changes its name to Reservation Road. You are now heading due north. 5) The main TIMPA Driveway (marked by a sign) is on the right at about one mile past the forced right turn. Turn right at the TIMPA main gate for the January launch. See the TIMPA web site at www.timpa.org for a map to the site. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **STANDARD LAUNCH PROCEDURES Anyone may launch sport rockets with NAR or Tripoli approved motors at a SARA launch. A SARA flight card must be completely filled out for each individual launch. All models require inspection by the Range Safety Officer (RSO). After a successful inspection the model and flight card are presented to the Launch Control Officer (LCO). The LCO will provide a launch pad assignment. Stay in the area of the LCO as you will be allowed to launch your rocket. A range fee of $5.00 ($3.00 for members) is to be paid at the beginning of the launch day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **TIMPA FIELD USAGE Use of the TIMPA site is only permitted at club events or by prior arrangement. To access the TIMPA field outside of scheduled club eventsyou must be either a current National Association of Rocketry (NAR) or Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) member. The TIMPA caretakers have been instructed to call The PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF and to pursue trespassing charges if no previous arrangements exist. Tony Gonzales is The Range Operations Director for SARA. He can be reached by phone at (520) 790-1006 Tony will need to know how many models you intend to launch as well as their respective launch weights and propellant loads. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **FIRE SAFETY 1) Please note that there is NO SMOKING permitted on the range area. Smoking is only permitted on the dirt road adjacent to the launch site. Cigarette butts and ashes are to be placed in a metal container or ash tray. 2) Fire is something that needs to be taken seriously. If you see smoke or flames, yell it out loud and clear. If we have fire on the range, EVERYBODY needs to drop what they are doing and assist in containing the fire. There are water bottles, ABC rated fire extinguishers, and shovels on hand at every launch. 3) Only FLAMEPROOF, biodegradeable wadding (no fiberglass) is allowed on the flying field. Toilet paper and paper towels are not acceptable. If you need clarification on what to use, check with the Range Safety Officer. Many flyers will have extra wadding on hand and they will be happy to lend you some. |
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