Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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MAY 2001 SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION (SARA) 2001 CALENDAR YEAR LAUNCH SCHEDULE WAIVERED LAUNCH SUNDAY MAY 20, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SUNDAY JULY 29, 2001 WAIVERED LAUNCH SATURDAY AUGUST 25, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY OCTOBER 27, 2001 WAIVERED LAUNCH SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2001 NOTIFICATION LAUNCH SATURDAY DECEMBER 15, 2001 Until further notice, all launches will now be occurring on our warm weather schedule of 8:00AM to 12:00 noon. We will switch back to the 9:00AM start time later in the calendar year when the weather cools. Notification launches are where SARA notifies the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that we will be flying models up to 3.3 pounds of launch weight or containing up to 4.4 ounces of propellant. Waivered launches are where the FAA grants approval to SARA to launch rockets that exceed the launch weight and a propellant load imposed by a standard notification launch. Our launch site dimensions support models that are limited to a maximum altitude of 4500 feet above ground level (AGL) and use a motor of K impulse or less. All Launches are conducted at The Tucson International Modelplex (TIMPA). Direction to TIMPA and other launch information is listed below. ------------------------------------------------------------ **HELLO AND WELCOME This edition of SARA News will be short and sweet for this month. A very busy schedule in late April and early May has kept me from typing this up until now. Thankfully, Mark Koenig has been busy updating the website and all the information regarding our April launch is already listed there. Most of you read SARA News on email so I will encourage you to link directly to the SARA website by clicking the URL below . . . http://www.sararocketry.org/ If you already haven't, bookmark it on your browser and come back often. For the few of you who read this as a mailed letter, I have printed out the launch report from the website and you will find a copy at the end of this printed document. Our Sunday, May 20th launch is going to be another one of our "big ones" . . . an FAA waivered high power event. Anyone, of course, is welcome to bring out their smaller model rockets to fly. See you there! Ben Nead ------------------------------------------------------------- **MEMBERSHIP DUES POLICY As of January 2001, SARA has revised it's membership dues policy. The fee structure is outlined below. Many of you became paying members at the February launch. All on the SARA board of Directors extends it's thanks to you for your financial contribution. These membership fees will help us initiate new launch site improvements and pay for other club related activities. An official membership package is in the works and will be delivered to you shortly. JUNIOR MEMBER (17 years of age or younger) . . . $10.00 SENIOR MEMBER (18 years of age or older) . . . $20.00 FAMILY MEMBER (Adults and children together) . . $25.00 DAILY RANGE FEE ALL CLUB MEMBERS (Unlimited # of launches) . . . $3.00 ALL NON-MEMBERS (Unlimited # of launches) . . . $5.00 **STANDARD LAUNCH PROCEDURES Each individual model rocket flight must be documented on a SARA flight card. All models require inspection by the range safety officer (RSO) before they can be placed on a launch pad. The RSO has the authority to determine if the rocket in question is able to launch. We will have an extra table set up at all future SARA launches to facilitate RSO inspection and fee collection. This will help alleviate the crowds that appear around the launch control table during our busy launches. **SAFETY ISSUES It may be very dry at the launch site. Therefore, 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. 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, please check with the RSO. Many fliers will have extra wadding at the launch and they will be happy to lend you some. The fluffy household insulation that is blown into roof and attic dormers is used by many and is flameproof, inexpensive, and readily available. Fire is something that we all need to take very seriously. If you see smoke or fire, 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, fire extinguishers, and a shovel on hand at every launch. The 55 gallon drum near the launch control area is also filled with water. **TIMPA FIELD USE Flying rockets at the TIMPA site is only permitted at club events or by prior arrangement. Fliers who intend to use the field outside club events must be either current National Association of Rocketry (NAR) or Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) members. Tony Gonzales, our Range Operations Director, is the person to contact. He will need to know the number of models you intend to launch. Information on launch weight and propellant weight will need to be available as well. The TIMPA caretakers have been instructed to call the Pima County Sheriff and to pursue trespassing charges if no previous arrangements exist. Here is how to contact Tony Gonzales . . . tgonzo@uswest.net or by phone at (520) 790-1006 **SPACE MODELING SOLUTIONS (SMS) Peter Riddell and his wife from Space Modeling Solutions make the drive from Phoenix to attend almost all of our launches. He always brings an assortment of model kits, motors, and building supplies . . . many of which can't be found in Tucson area hobby stores. You can contact Peter in the days leading up to our scheduled launches. If he is planning to attend, he will be happy to bring down special items for you . . . riddell@prodigy.net or by phone at (480) 497-1960 and Fax at (703) 832-3237 **DIRECTIONS TO THE LAUNCH SITE From I-10 and Speedway, exit 257 . . . A) 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! B) 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. C) 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 turns into a dirt road. D) At about 3.5 miles past the Mile Wide/Sandario intersection, Mile Wide makes a forced turn to the right and changes it's name to Reservation Road. You are now heading due north. E) The Main TIMPA driveway (marked by a sign) is on the right at about 1 mile past the forced right turn. Go another 1/2 mile past this and turn onto the next right turn. At this point, you should be able to see rocket launching activity. Please park to the north or to the east of the launch range. |
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