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Range Procedures


Range Rules for Everyone!

  • Everyone attending an SARA launch (both fliers and spectators) should understand and follow these rules to ensure safety
  • Parents please keep your children under control and be sure they understand these rules.
  • Please stay behind the flight line barrier, and please do not set up your chairs etc. right at the barrier.
  • If the LCO announces a flight as a "Heads Up" flight, that means get on your feet and pay attention until the rocket's recovery device deploys or until the rocket is on the ground.
  • Pay attention! Every flight is potentially dangerous to you and your family. If the Launch Control Officer (LCO) yells "Heads up!" he means it!
  • Do not attempt to catch any rocket as it lands. Even a small rocket can cause an injury.
  • Do not pick-up or move any rocket that is not yours, unless you have the owner's permission.
  • Please do not drive on the field to recover rockets.
  • Please drive slowly as you approach and within the launch area. A vehicle can raise a surprising amount of very annoying dust!
  • Overnight camping is not permitted at monthly club launches.
  • Please drive if you want to use the TIMPA toilet facilities.
  • Please keep control of your trash and carry it off the field when you leave.
  • The decisions of the Range Safety Officer are final and may not be appealed on the flying field.

Range Procedures for Fliers

  • All rockets must be inspected and approved by the Range Safety Officer (RSO) or the Launch Control Officer (LCO) prior to each flight.
  • Please be prepared to show that your rocket is powered by a Tripoli or NAR certified motor, that it will have a stable flight, and that it will recover safely.
  • High-power rockets (total impulse class H or above) and any rocket not built from a stock kit should have documentation for the RSO showing that the rocket will be stable.
  • Please fill out a flight card completely before the safety check and pad assignment. Officers will not accept incomplete cards.
  • Igniters for low-power motors may be installed in the prep area.
  • Igniters for high-power motors should be installed at the launch pad. (If this is not possible (either because the igniter must be built into a reloadable motor during assembly or because the igniters for a cluster or multistage rocket must be installed before the rocket is assembled), the igniters may be installed in the prep area. Short the igniter leads together before installing the igniter. The igniter leads must remain shorted or shunted until the rocket is on the pad.)
  • All electronic staging and recovery devices must be safed or powered off and shunted when the rocket is brought to the RSO table.
  • If the RSO or LCO rejects your rocket at the safety check, you must correct the problem(s) and have the rocket checked again before flying.
  • The LCO will assign your pad after the rocket is approved by the RSO. Once you have a pad assignment, please move away from the gate area until "the range is open" is announced.
  • Do not enter the range to load or recover a rocket until the Launch Control Officer (LCO) announces "the range is open".
  • When your pad is called, enter the launch area through the gate and go to your pad. In some cases, you may have to change the launch rod or rail at your pad. If you have any questions about this or difficulty with your pad, please ask the LCO or launch assistant for help.
  • After you have loaded your rocket, leave the launch area through the gate.
  • You may pick up or move another flier's rocket that has landed only under if you have the owner's permission to do so.
  • If you are a long distance away, and the rocket is undamaged, and no one appears to be looking for it, you may carefully bring it back to the LCO table; if the rocket is damaged, please note the location and report it to the LCO.
  • If the rocket is being dragged by the wind, please carefully stop the rocket and place the parachute under its body tube or nose cone, and note the location and report it to the LCO.
  • If you find a reloadable motor casing or other part that has separated from a rocket, wait until it has cooled off and bring it back to the LCO table.
  • As always, the use of spark producing motors is subject to the Range Safety Officer's review of field conditions.  Do not automatically assume that spark producing motors may be flown.
Range Rules for Drones
  • The flyer shall obtain permission from the SARA RSO prior to flight, to coordinate the sUAV flight path.
  • The flyer must be an Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) member and be able to show proof of membership on demand.  
  • The flyer must obey all AMA regulations and TIMPA regulations (e.g. no First Person View, e.g. no flights over 400 feet AGL, among others).
  • The flyer must be registered with the FAA and his registration number present on any sUAV over 0.5 pounds; The flyer must provide evidence of both on demand.
  • The sUAV, at no point, shall be outside the pilots line of sight.
  • The sUAV, at no point, shall be over the crowd, prep area or the flight line.
  • The sUAV shall be launched away from the crowd to the south of the away pad, or east of the parking lot, so that its return to home point is safely away from the flight line and crowd.

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