Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEXT LAUNCH - SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY 2004, 9AM to 1PM **HELLO AND WELCOME As the new president of SARA I would like to say thanks
for your confidence, and remind you that as president I, and the entire board,
need your support, suggestions and help to achieve our goals and most
importantly to have fun in 2004. Happy flying, ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **RENEW YOUR SARA MEMBERSHIP FOR 2004 While our main push for annual memberships to SARA typically occurs at the beginning of the calendar year, we welcome your financial support at any time. Anyone can participate in a SARA launch by paying the $5.00 daily TIMPA range fee but you can save money each month by joining as a member. We encourage you to consider joining SARA at any of the following annual levels . . . Junior (18 years or younger) . . . $10.00 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 ouruse of the launch facility. The membership fees, on the other hand, are what pays for
SARA's anticipated annual operating expenses (NAR chapter membership, There is also the ongoing expense of maintaining and/or improving our launch equipment. Now that may begin to make choices about purchasing storage magazines and/or hybrid motor ground support systems, those dollars from membership fees are now more critical than ever before. We think that these activities and endeavors are important enough to ask for your annual financial support. Please consider renewing you existing SARA memberships or by joining up for the first time if you haven't already done so. Application forms are on hand at each monthly launch. Benjamin Nead, SARA Membership Director ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **HYBRID ROCKET MOTOR GROUND SUPPORT SARA has started a fund to allow the section to purchase the specialized launch equipment required for hybrid rocket motors. Many of the hybrid rocket motor systems require a launch system that permits tankage of the nitrous oxide oxidizer at the launch pad. The cost of this equipment is approximately $600.00 to $1000.00. The intent is to have a shared launch system to reduce the cost per member. Since interest in this equipment may be limited to a relatively small number of high power flyers donations are being solicited to purchase the system rather than paying for the system from general club funds. If you want to donate towards the system you may make your donation payable to SARA and earmarked to the "hybrid" fund. SARA falls under the National Association of Rocketry's non-profit umbrella so donations are tax deductable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joe Pitonzo had a recovery failure during his Level 2
attempt in December. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **WEB SITE The Southern Arizona Rocketry Association maintains a web site 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 . . . http://www.sararocketry.org Even if you don't own a computer, you can check our web site for free by visiting your local public library. Library staff can also provide assistance if you are unsure exactly how to dial up our website from one of their computer terminals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **DECEMBER 2003 LAUNCH REPORT The Southern Arizona Rocketry Association held its final launch of 2003 on Saturday 12/20 at the TIMPA site with a FAA waiver to 4500 feet AGL in effect. The weather was magnificent with only a brief period of moderately high winds, nice temperatures and there were fewer than the usual number of holds for aircraft. The launch activity got off to a slow start, however, the launch became very busy. Forty one (41) fliers made 124 flights of which 106 (85%)
were nominal. There were many nice flights including several with a
Christmas theme. A 'penquin' made a spectacularly unstable flight, there was
'wooden soldier' and a 'candle' flight. A nice flight was made with many holiday
treats and notice of prizes to be claimed descending on mylar streamers. The
children present especially enjoyed this colorful flight. Five (5) cluster
flights were made and 4 staged flights (3 2-stage and one 3-stage); all were
successful. One of our young members had two nice first flights of rockets he
had designed (his first) and scratch built, including a cluster. We had a vender on site for the first time in a while; 'Just Rockets' was present and indicate he would try to attend in the future, perhaps alternate launches. Once again thanks are due to all who helped with the range, your efforts are appreciated. Jerry King, NAR Senior Section Advisor ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTEES This is the group of people that were elected or appointed
this past December that keep things running smoothly. 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 2004 LAUNCH CALENDAR / TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE Below is the schedule for the TIMPA launches for the
calendar year 2004. SARA is able to accommodate high power rocket models at each
scheduled launch. Each launch is a Federal Aviation Administration 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. SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 9AM to 1PM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **DIRECTIONS TO TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE From I-10 and Speedway, Exit 257 . . . 1) 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. 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 1 mile past the museum entrance (about 10 miles past I-10 and Speedway), Kinney Road changes it's name to Mile Wide Road. 3) 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 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 it's 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 1mile past the forced right turn. Continue north for approximately another 1/4 mile. 6) The launch site entrance is on the right side of the road and marked with a sign. Proceed with caution and park to the west of the main launching activity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **STANDARD LAUNCH PROCEDURES Anyone may launch model rockets with NAR or Tripoli approved motor at a SARA launch. All models first require inspection by The Range Safety Officer (RSO) and a SARA flight card must be completely filled out for each individual launch. After this is done, the model and flight card can be taken to The Launch Control Officer (LCO). It is here that a launch pad will be assigned to you. A range fee of $5.00 is to be paid at the beginning of the launch day. This fee for SARA members is $3.00 for the 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 events
you must be either a current National Association of Rocketry Tony Gonzales is The Range Operations Director for SARA. He can be reached at . . . rangeops@mail.sararocketry.org or 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. The 55 gallon drum near the launch control area is also filled with water. 3) 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, 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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