SARA had been flying on various bits of vacant land for quite a while, whilst we searched for a permanent home. Several areas looked good, but fell through for one reason or another. Finally, contacts in the Tucson parks department lined us up with the Tucson International Modelplex Park Assoc. (TIMPA). They were building a multi-use hobby park on leased city land. Through a lot of sweat-equity, they have put together a site that includes a hanger, paved runway (large enough to land a Cessna on!), and a permanent ramada with water & phone. After negotiating with them, we've obtained use of the northern edge of their main plot. We've cleared an area for pads, for rockets flying 1/4A to K motors. We fly both model rockets and High Power Rockets at this site. We have a FAA waiver that allows us to fly High Power Rockets to an altitude of 4500' Above Ground Level.

2008 Launch Schedule

Except for the Desert Heat launch in March, all launches will be held on the cool weather schedule (9AM-1PM) until the April launch.

Launch Statistics

Monthly launch reports

Click on the links below to view graphical data showing the number of launches per month and the types of motors flown.

Launches

Motors Flown

Direction to Launch Site

To get there, follow the map. From I-10 and Speedway, exit 257

From I-10 and Speedway, exit 257

West on Speedway past the ARCO AM-PM. Continue on Speedway through Gate's Pass (Speedway turns into Gate's Pass Road). Use caution; the road is narrow, winding, and shared by bicyclists.

Right onto Kinney Road; follow the signs towards the Desert Museum. This intersection is approximately 9.2 miles from the ARCO AM-PM. Follow Kinney Road onto Mile Wide Road (this occurs approximately 1 mile after the Desert Museum). Kinney is the minor spur which heads off to the Saguaro National Park. Stay to the left on the major road (Mile Wide).

Continue on Mile Wide Road to Sandario. This intersection is approximately 6 miles from the Kinney/Gates Pass intersection.

Continue on Mile Wide across Sandario. Mile Wide will turn to dirt after the second bridge (both bridges are single lane, use caution).

Right onto Reservation from Mile Wide (forced turn). This is about 3.5 miles from the Sandario/Mile Wide intersection.

You will see a house and large metal building on the right about 1 mile from the forced right turn. This is the main entrance to TIMPA.

From I-10 and Ina Road

West on Ina. After you pass Silverbell Road the road will make a sharp left turn, at this point the road becomes Wade Road. In approximately half a mile the road will turn back to the right and become Picture Rocks.

Continue over the mountain pass until you reach Sandario Road. (just enjoy the view, this is a lengthy, twisty section. Watch for bicycles and tourists)

At the 4 way stop, turn left on Sandario.

Continue south on Sandario until you reach Manville Road.

Right onto Manville

Left on Reservation.

You will see a house and large metal building on the left. This is the main entrance to TIMPA.

Range Procedures Overview

The formal range procedures are here

• There is a $3 range fee for members, $5 for non-members, charged per individual or family.
• A flight card needs to be filled out for each flight. Your models require inspection by the Range Safety Officer before placing them on the launch pad. Rockets without a safety inspection must be removed from the launch pad for inspection.
• The general public may only fly at our monthly launches for insurance reasons.
• Flying of rockets at the TIMPA site is only permitted at club events or by arrangement. Fliers who intend to use the field outside of club events must be either insured NAR members or AMA members. Arrangements will require a WRITTEN request in advance to use the field and will include the number of models and the maximum launch and propellant weights to be flown. Requests for use will be sent to Tony Gonzales and he will notify TIMPA (and its caretakers) of the non-club use. He will also confirm with the requester that the arrangements are in place. The caretakers have been instructed to call the sheriff and pursue trespassing charges if no previous arrangements for rocket launching at the site exist.

To see what goes on at one of our launches, check out the photos of launches at the field.

Sara's Latest News

updated 1/24/08

Desert Heat 2008

Next Launch
May 18

2008 Launch Schedule

New BATF regulations take effect today 10/10/06

October 9th Update on BATF litigation from NAR and Tripoli