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SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION NEWS MARCH 2005

NEXT LAUNCH - SUNDAY, 20 MARCH 2005, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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**LAUNCH PAD CHAT FROM THE EDITOR

Spring has sprung and our launch site reflects it. At present we have a field of green that will soon turn brown. We need to get a work party together to clean the field before it gets too hot. Let's try to schedule
the work party for April 9 or 10 while at the Sunday launch.

If you cannot help because of allergies or some physical ailment perhaps you can volunteer to maintain some of the SARA launch equipment during the work party. Many of the launch rods could stand a good sanding or cleaning and microclips on the launch systems could use replacement. Some of the launch pads have a heavy layer of soot and their numbers are no longer legible. Some TLC from a SARA member could cure these problems.

SARA has signed up to have a static display at the Davis Monthan Air Show on April 2 and 3. We need volunteers to man the display. I'd suggest three people at any one time so we all have an opportunity to see some of the show and make some food/restroom stops. I'll coordinate the sign-ups via email or phone at 103056.621@compuserve.com or 296-1689. I'll need driver's license numbers for the base. I'm assuming that those folks that sign up will bring models for display. Anything for Mosquitos to Level 3 projects is welcome as long as it's attractive. We'll probably have some Rent-A-Roc's on display so there's some rockets the kids can handle.

Note that this is our last winter schedule launch for a while. Next month we start the 8:00 AM to Noon launch schedule.

Steve Lubliner
SARA News Editor

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**JUST ROCKETS

Las Vegas based rocket distributor "Just Rockets" periodically attends SARA's launches. Just Rockets carries a selection of mid and high power rocketry materials including reload kits, motor casings, building materials, and electronics. Check their website at www.justrockets.com to see what's available. Let's make it worthwhile for Just Rockets to make the trip and support us in Tucson. Their phone number is 702-655-3538 if you want to coordinate your order over the phone in advance of the launch.

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**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.

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**FEBRUARY LAUNCH REPORT

SARA held its monthly sport launch on Saturday February 19th at the TIMPA
site with a FAA waiver in effect. It was a very damp (wet) launch with
the activity stopping at around 11am as the intermittent rain continued.
The cloud cover was low and the temperature rose and fell as the clouds
moved past. Winds varied from light to fairly brisk. Many people came to
the launch, but upon seeing the conditions most left shortly after arrival.

Twelve (12) hardy individuals made a total of 25 flights of which 21 (84 %) were clean or nominal. There were: 1 lawn dart, 1 core sample, 1 separation and 1 no chute deploy. One staged flight was flown with successful staging.
Two flights using motor clusters were flown: one fully successful, and on review one with only 2 of 3 motors lighting and then the third igniting from the back side.

The rains this winter have enabled a tremendous and abundant growth of the plants on the range. A work party to clear the range will probably be advisable before the summer heat comes to us.

Many thanks are due to all who withstood the conditions to help with the range.

Jerry King
SARA Statistician

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**2005 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTEES

President . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Dickhous
Vice President . . . . . . . . Eric Burch
Secretary/Treasurer . . . . . . Doug Forester
Member at Large . . . . . . . . Ken Weaver
NAR Senior Section Advisor . . Jerry King
Range Operations . . . . . . . . Tony Gonzales
Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Koenig

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.

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**SARA 2005 LAUNCH CALENDAR / TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE

Below is the schedule for the TIMPA launches for the calendar year 2005. 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.

SUNDAY MARCH 20 9AM to 1PM
SATURDAY/SUNDAY APRIL 2 AND 3 DM AIRSHOW (exact times are to be determined)
SATURDAY APRIL 16 8AM to 12 Noon
SUNDAY MAY15 8AM to 12 Noon
SATURDAY JUNE 18 8AM to 12 Noon
SUNDAY JULY 17 8AM to 12 Noon
SATURDAY AUGUST 20 8AM to 12 Noon
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18 8AM to 12 Noon
SATURDAY OCTOBER 15 9AM to 1PM
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20 9AM to 1PM
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17 9AM to 1PM

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**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.

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**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.

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**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.

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**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.

Sara's Latest News

updated 1/24/08

Desert Heat 2008

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July 20

2008 Launch Schedule