Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ **HELLO AND WELCOME With temperatures grazing the 100 degree mark, we are now
looking at the time of the year where we need to be extra vigilant about fire
safety. Drought conditions last Summer found us beginning to put temporary
flying restrictions into place on multi-stage and cluster motor models - rockets
that tend to pose a greater risk to starting a ground fire more so than others
types. Last July's launch was cancelled outright due to extreme brush fire
danger, If our current dry spell continues we may have to consider similar
provisions again for this Summer. We will keep you advised of details. This is a
good time of the year, though, to start a building project or two. Glue and
paint seem to dry in no time at all! Also . . . we may find SARA again
officially sanctioning a mid Summer youth building session and static model
rocket display (indoors with air **CONGRESSIONAL ACTION MODEL ROCKETRY WEB SITE This is another reminder to put your support behind exemptions that would protect medium and high power hobby rocketry from upcoming Homeland Security legislation. The United States Senate is currently seeing a debate that will effect how our high power model rocket flyers will be able to purchase, store, and transport ammonium perchlorate rocket motors and other materials associated with the sport. As currently drafted, the Safe Explosives provisions of the Homeland Security Act would place new restrictions on hobby rocketry that are due to be enacted on May 24. One Senator, Mike Enzi, is coming to the defense of rocketry enthusiasts by formally proposing exemptions to the Safe Explosives provisions for hobbyists. This would allow for the use of these materials more or less as it is currently interpreted under existing law. Senator Enzi launched a letter writing campaign on February 28 to encourage the public to contact their Senators to let them know how they feel about this issue. To facilitate this effort a web site was launched. Please visit it, bookmark it, and check back often as it is regularly updated . . . http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html Contained on the website is a complete description of the argument and what is being proposed. There is also information on how to construct a positively written and business-like letter to your elected representatives that will help convince them that hobby rocketry is worth defending. The initial Senatorial letter writing campaign, conducted in late February, is now being followed up by another one that is targeting the 12 member Senate Judiciary committee. One of the 2 US Senators from Arizona, Jon Kyl, is on this committee so we have a prime opportunity here to directly voice our opinions as do citizens from only 11 other States. Check out the web site, bring yourself up to speed, and act accordingly. Please do so following this Sunday's launch so you won't miss the May 24th deadline.
While our main push for annual memberships to SARA typically occurs at the beginning of the calendar year, we welcome your financial support at any time. Anyone can participate in a SARA launch by paying the $5.00 daily TIMPA range fee but you can save money each month by joining as a member. We encourage you to consider joining SARA at any of the following annual levels . . . Junior (18 years or younger) . . . $10.00 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. The membership fees, on the other hand, are what pays for SARA's anticipated annual operating expenses (NAR chapter membership, etc.) as well as any unexpected ones. SARA also reaches out to the public several times a year with youth oriented building sessions and static rocket displays at special events. There is also the ongoing expense of maintaining and/or improving our launch equipment. We think that these activities and endeavors are important enough to ask for your annual financial support. Please consider renewing you existing SARA memberships or by joining up for the first time if you haven't already done so. Application forms are on hand at each monthly launch. Benjamin Nead, SARA Membership Director/ Vice President **WEB SITE The Southern Arizona Rocketry Association maintains a web site 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 . . . http://www.sararocketry.org Even if you don't own a computer, you can check our web
site for free by visiting your local public library. Library staff can also
provide assistance if you are unsure exactly how to dial up our web site from
one of their computer terminals. **APRIL 2003 LAUNCH REPORT The monthly SARA sport launch was held a TIMPA on April 19, 2003 with a FAA waiver in effect. The launch conditions were very nice with clear skies, a pleasant temperature, low winds (although a couple of thermals) and relatively few aircraft holds. This launch was our busiest since I have records (Oct.
1998). Forty two There were many interesting flights. A Estes model of the full stack Columbia was successfully flown---these are pretty uncommon now and were never known as outstanding fliers. There were 2 NARTREK Bronze streamer duration attempts. Chris Choffat and Kevin Houser both flew video rockets. There were 4 2-stage flights (all successful) and 2 3-stage attempts with the 3rd stage not igniting on one and the other a very successful flight. A 3 E-motor cluster rocket had a nice flight. The Bens Nead, Jr and Sr flew 2 drag races. Jay and Jacob Dennis brought the Easter spirit with 2 each large and small flying eggs. The smaller eggs had a nice drag race and the 2 larger ones were in a drag race with Jay Dickhous's large egg. The race was spectacular with a good flight, a minor shred and a unstable flight. The launch finished with a 'St. Louis Arch' flight with a long crepe paper streamer. Even though the launch was extremely busy there were only a few brief delays to fly and they were pretty much caused by the usual problem---holds for aircraft. Once again many thanks are due to all who helped with the range. Gerald King, NAR Senior Section Advisor **2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTEES This is the group of people that were elected or appointed
this past December that keep things running smoothly. President . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Lubliner 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 2003 LAUNCH CALENDAR / TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE Below is the schedule for the TIMPA launches for the
calendar year 2003. SARA is able to accommodate high power rocket models at each
scheduled launch. Each launch is a Federal Aviation Administration 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, MAY 18, 2003 8AM to 12NOON We are now in our warm weather 8:00AM to 12:00 NOON **DIRECTIONS TO TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE . . . from I-10 and Speedway, Exit 257 . . . 1) 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. 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 1 mile past the museum entrance (about 10 miles past I-10 and Speedway), Kinney Road changes it's name to Mile Wide Road. 3) 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 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 it's 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 1 mile past the forced right turn. Continue north for approximately another 1/4 mile. 6) The launch site entrance is on the right side of the
road and marked with a sign. Proceed with caution and park to the west of the
main launching activity. **STANDARD LAUNCH PROCEDURES Anyone may launch model rockets with NAR or Tripoli
approved motor at a SARA launch. All models first require inspection by The
Range Safety Officer (RSO) and a SARA flight card must be completely filled out
for each individual launch. After this is done, the model and flight card can be
taken to The Launch Control Officer (LCO). It is here that a launch pad will be
assigned to you. A range fee of $5.00 is to be paid at the beginning of the
launch day. This fee for SARA members is $3.00 for the 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 events
you must be either a current National Association of Rocketry Tony Gonzales is The Range Operations Director for SARA. He can be reached at . . . rangeops@mail.sararocketry.org . . . or 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. The 55 gallon drum near the launch control area is also filled with water. 3) 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, check with the Range Safety Officer. Many flyers will have extra
wadding on hand and they will be happy to lend you some. **SPACE MODELING SOLUTIONS Pete Riddell and his wife of Space Modeling Solutions in Phoenix attend almost all of our launches and offer rocket kits, motors, and other hard to find building supplies. Contact Pete in the days leading up to the launch and he deliver that special order to you at the launch site . . . launch@smsrocketry.com . . . or by phone at (480) 497-1960 or by fax at (703) 832-3237 |
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