Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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Feb. 2001 SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION (SARA) 2001 CALENDAR YEAR LAUNCH SCHEDULE WAIVERED LAUNCH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2001 WAIVERED LAUNCH SUNDAY MAY 20, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SUNDAY JULY 29, 2001 WAIVERED LAUNCH SATURDAY AUGUST 25, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY OCTOBER 27, 2001 WAVIERED LAUNCH SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY DECEMBER 15, 2001 Until further notice, all launches will start at 9:00AM and end at 1:00PM. During the Summer months we typically start and end earlier to avoid the heat. Notification launches are where SARA notifies the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that we will be flying models up to 3.3 pounds of launch weight or containing up to 4.4 ounces of propellant. Waivered launches are where the FAA grants approvalto SARA to launch rockets that exceed the launch weight and a propellant load imposed by a standard notification launch. Our launch site dimensions support models that are limited to a maximum altitude of 4500 feet above ground level (AGL) and use a motor of K impulse or less. All Launches are conducted at The Tucson International Modelplex (TIMPA). Direction to TIMPA and other launch information is listed below. **HELLO AND WELCOME 2001 began rather cold and wet for SARA. We were ready to get off to a flying start (pun intended) for our first launch of the new year but, unfortunately, the weather decided not to cooperate. A few intrepid rocketeers braved the elements and showed up to the TIMPA site on January 28th but only a couple of rockets were launched that morning. Technically, we are chalking this one as a scrubbed launch. We hope to see all of you on Saturday, February 24th. A reminder that this will be one of our FAA waivered high powered events. All standard power model rockets are, as always, welcome to be flown. Higher power models can also be flown as per the guidelines described above. If some of you newer flyers have never seem any of these larger birds take to the sky, don't miss this opportunity. You're in for a treat! **BOARD OF DIRECTORS As mentioned in the previous SARA News, we have a new board that was officially seated in December, 2000. Here, again, is a breakdown of the officers and their duties: President Doug Forester Vice President/ Outreach Dave Williams Secretary/Treasurer/Webmaster Mark Koenig Member-At-Large/Membership Ben Nead NAR Senior Advisor/Statistician Jerry King Communications Paul Trittenbach Range Operations Tony Gonzales Training/Safety/Outreach Steve Lubliner Equipment acquisition (trailer) John Hunnicutt Most of us should be at the launch. Please feel free to introduce yourself to us and share your thought on how we can help SARA grow and serve you better. Later this Spring (exact time yet to be determined), we will conduct a Board meeting where the general membership can be accommodated. **NEW MEMBERSHIP POLICY Yet another item that was mentioned here last month was our new membership fee and range fee structure. This has come about to help us address ongoing expenses that were never properly dealt with in the past. The $3.00 range fee that all paid in the past was given directly to TIMPA to cover our rent. The new membership fees are something that will enable us to provide more services to you in the future. One project that we hope to implement soon is an illustrated newsletter. Another is improvements to our launch site and equipment. These fees are in effect for the Saturday, February 24th launch. ANNUAL SARA MEMBERSHIP JUNIOR MEMBER (17 years of age or younger) . . . $10.00 SENIOR MEMBER (18 years of age or older) . . . $20.00 FAMILY MEMBER (Adults and children together) . . $25.00 DAILY RANGE FEE ALL CLUB MEMBERS (Unlimited # of launches) . . . $3.00 ALL NON-MEMBERS (Unlimited # of launches) . . . $5.00 **WHAT WE'RE DOING If you have attended any of our earlier launches, you will notice some changes this next time. To facilitate the crowds that often collect around the Launch Control Operations (LCO) table, we will have a separate Range Safety Operations (RSO) table set up. It is here that you will have your rocket inspected and where all fees will be collected. The end result will be (we hope!) a smoother operation in regards to you being able to get your rocket in the air. Mentioned in the last newsletter is the acquisition of a new trailer for transporting our launch equipment. Smaller than the one we had on loan, the new trailer will interface with a wider variety of vehicles. This will enable SARA to offer more launches at more diverse locations in the future. Please take the time to look at our new website. It is now being updated on a regular basis and has many new features. Most of you are reading this via email. Just click the URL below to go there . . . www.sararocketry.org While you are there, bookmark it on your web browser and stop back soon for the latest SARA news and information. **JANUARY 2001 LAUNCH REPORT As mentioned above, the January 28th notification launch was officially scrubbed due to inclement weather. Our range operations officer, Tony Gonzales was on hand in case anyone wanted to fly. A few other hearty souls showed and a couple of rockets actually got into the air later that morning. Steve Lubliner, Jerry King, Mark Koenig, David Williams, John Hunnicutt, and the Gentry family comprised the launchers and onlookers. Pete Riddell of Space Modeling Solutions came down from Phoenix. **STANDARD LAUNCH PROCEDURES Each individual model rocket flight must be documented on a SARA flight card. All models require inspection by the range safety officer (RSO) before they can be placed on a launch pad. The RSO has the authority to determine if the rocket in question is able to launch. We will have an extra table set up at all future SARA launches to facilitate RSO inspection and fee collection. This will help alleviate the crowds that appear around the launch control table during our busy launches. **SAFETY ISSUES It may be very dry at the launch site. Therefore, 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. Unless you are using a Nomex parachute heat protection cloth in your rocket, you will need to use a FLAMEPROOF wadding of some sort. Toilet paper and paper towels are not acceptable. If you need clarification on what to use, please check with the RSO. Many fliers will have extra wadding at the launch and they will be happy to lend you some. The fluffy household insulation that is blown into roof and attic dormers is used by many and is flameproof, inexpensive, and readily available. Fire is something that we all need to take very seriously. If you see smoke or fire, 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, fire extinguishers, and a shovel on hand at every launch. The 55 gallon drum near the launch control area is also filled with water. **TIMPA FIELD USE Flying rockets at the TIMPA site is only permitted at club events or by prior arrangement. Fliers who intend to use the field outside club events must be either current National Association of Rocketry (NAR) or Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) members. Tony Gonzales, our Range Operations Director, is the person to contact. He will need to know the number of models you intend to launch. Information on launch weight and propellant weight will need to be available as well. The TIMPA caretakers have been instructed to call the Pima County Sheriff and to pursue trespassing charges if no previous arrangements exist. Here is how to contact Tony Gonzales . . . tgonzo@uswest.net or by phone at (520) 790-1006 **SPACE MODELING SOLUTIONS (SMS) Peter Riddell and his wife from Space Modeling Solutions make the drive from Phoenix to attend almost all of our launches. He always brings an assortment of model kits, motors, and building supplies . . . many of which can't be found in Tucson area hobby stores. You can contact Peter in the days leading up to our scheduled launches. If he is planning to attend, he will be happy to bring down special items for you . . . riddell@prodigy.net or by phone at (480) 497-1960 and Fax at (703) 832-3237 **DIRECTIONS TO THE LAUNCH SITE >From I-10 and Speedway, exit 257 . . . A) Travel west on Speedway past all building developments. Proceed with caution as Speedway crests over Gates Pass and turns into Gates Pass Road. The road is very narrow, winding, and often used by bicyclists. Enjoy the view! B) 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 1 mile past the Museum entrance (about 10 miles past I-10 and Speedway), Kinney Road changes it's name to Mile Wide Road. C) The next intersection, about 6 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 2 bridges. After the 2nd bridge, Mile Wide turns into a dirt road. D) At about 3.5 miles past the Mile Wide/Sandario intersection, Mile Wide makes a forced turn to the right and changes it's name to Reservation Road. You are now heading due north. E) The Main TIMPA driveway (marked by a sign) is on the right at about 1 mile past the forced right turn. Go another 1/2 mile past this and turn onto the next right turn. At this point, you should be able to see rocket launching activity. Please park to the north or to the east of the launch range. |
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