Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION NEWS JULY 2004 NEXT LAUNCH - SATURDAY, 18 JULY 2004, 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **LAUNCH PAD CHAT FROM THE EDITOR If you look at our launch statistics you'll see that our typical percentage of "clean" flights is between 80 and 85 percent. A prominent cause for failed flights is "separation". For those who have never experienced a separation this is typically when your nosecone and parachute part company from your rocket body. The rocket body falls to earth as the nosecone continues its flight to Marana. Separations are an unsafe condition. Like most unsafe conditions, a small effort can prevent the problem. Before packing your parachute give the shock cord a good tug. It's better that the shock cord breaks in your hand than in the air. While the shock cord is extended give it a good inspection. Is it burnt? Do you see broken elastic threads or cracks in the rubber? If you say yes to either of these questions then replace the shock cord before you fly. Don't forget our outreach session scheduled for Wednesday, 21 July 2004 near Rio Rico. We will be assembling and flying the BMS beginner kits in two three hour sessions. The first session will run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The second session will run from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. SARA members will have an opportunity to perform demonstration flights in the hour between sessions. We expect approximately 100 participants. Any time that you can offer is appreciated; you do not have to stay for both sessions. If you are interested contact Steve Lubliner at 296-1689 or103056.621@compuserve.com. The location and directions to the outreach session follow in a section below. Steve Lubliner SARA News Editor ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **2004 SARA MEMBERSHIP 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **OUTREACH SESSION DIRECTIONS Here are the directions to THE outreach rocketry site in Rio Rico. The site is at San Cayetano Elementary School; it is located off of Interstate 19. 1) On Interstate 19 you will pass both Tubac and Tumacacori. You will go to Rio Rico. Get off the freeway at exit 22 (Peck Canyon Road). 2) Turn right heading West and then make a quick right on the frontage road heading North. San Cayetano will be immediately on the West side of the road about 30 feet North. 3) We will set up in the multipurpose room and the ball field directly behind (West) of the school. 4) Lunch will be provided by McDonalds. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **JUST ROCKETS LAUNCH SCHEDULE Las Vegas based rocket distributor "Just Rockets" will not be attending our July launch. The reduced participation our summer launches (and the reduced sales) makes it difficult to justify the drive from Las Vegas to Tucson. At the moment, Just Rockets probably will not attend our launches until September. In the meantime, remember that Just Rockets carries a selection of mid and high power rocketry materials including reload kits, motor casings, building materials, and electronics. Their phone number is 702-655-3538 if you want to order over the phone. Check their website at www.justrockets.com to see what's available. They will be attending our launches on 19 September, 16 October, 21 November, and 18 December. Let's make it worthwhile for Just Rockets to make the trip and support us next time they are in Tucson. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **JUNE 2004 LAUNCH REPORT The June 2004 sport launch was held at the TIMPA site on Saturday the 19th with a FAA waiver in effect. It was a clear hot day with generally good conditions; however, the wind came up with pretty brisk gusts and then rather steady at 20+ mph causing the launch to be stopped about a half hour prior to scheduled range closure. There were the usual holds for close flying aircraft. There was a nice crowd with 32 fliers making 86 flights of which 71 (83%) were nominal. There were 6 separations, 2 CATO, and one each: early ejection, no ejection, no deploy, no glide, unstable flight, kicked motor and tangled recovery device. One two-stage flight was made successfully, but an attempt of a 3-motor cluster flight was terminated with a CATO. The most active flier made 9 flights, other activity was (# flights each-# fliers): 6-1, 5-4, 4-1, 3-4, 2-14, and 1-7. Motor use was: 1/2A-2, A-10, B-22, C-35, D-8, E-4, F-3, and 5 others. Quite a large number of visitors, both adults and children, were at the launch. We welcome them and hope that all had a good time and will return. Thanks are due to all who helped with the range set-up, operation and teardown. 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 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 (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. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 9AM to 4PM Outreach Session ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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. Continue north for approximately another 1/4 mile. 6) The launch site entrance (gate) is on the right side of the road and is usually marked with a sign. Proceed with caution and park to the west of the main launching activity. 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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