Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION NEWS NOVEMBER 2004 NEXT LAUNCH - SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2004, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **LAUNCH PAD CHAT FROM THE EDITOR SARA is planning to host an extended launch on 15 January 2005. This launch is to celebrate SARA's 10 year anniversery. We plan to have a food vendor on site and to publicize the event in the local print and TV media. Model rocket competition events and several "M" power demonstration launches are on the schedule. A large public turnout is being planned for. The problem is that we do not have many SARA volunteers to support this launch. So far, we have about a half dozen volunteers to run this launch. These folks will have to man RSO, LCO, registration, competition coordination, and public support positions for nine hours. In addition, they would like time to launch their own rockets and enjoy the launch. We simply need more volunteers to pull this event off. While you're at the next launch talk to Jay Dennis or Jay Dickhous to volunteer your assistance. We're not asking for a whole day's commitment, just a couple of hours. Also, ask your spouses or older children if they can help. Even if they don't fly rockets, we need non-rocketeers who can help with public support and registration functions. Don't forget that SARA will also solicit nominations for its 2005 officers at the November launch in preparation for a December election. Contact one of the officers (see the officer listing in a section below) if you wish to run for the SARA Board. Steve Lubliner SARA News Editor ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **2005 SARA MEMBERSHIP We encourage you to consider joining SARA at any of the following annual levels: Junior (18 years or younger) . . . $10.00 Senior (over 18 years) . . . . . . $20.00 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00 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. Benjamin Nead, SARA Membership Director ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **JUST ROCKETS LAUNCH SCHEDULE Las Vegas based rocket distributor "Just Rockets" indicates that they will attend our November launch. 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. Their current schedule indicates that they will also be attending our launch on 18 December. 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **OCTOBER 2004 LAUNCH REPORT SARA held it monthly sport launch on Saturday October 16, 2004 at the TIMPA site with an FAA waiver in effect. Conditions were very nice with only a moderate breeze, few clouds, few aircraft holds and warm pleasant temperatures. This was a very busy launch with 38 fliers making 127 flights of which 109 (86 %) were clean. There were 8 separations (the most frequent mode of failure as usual), 3 tangled recovery devices, 2 lawn darts, 2 no chute deployment, and one each: CATO, shred and stuck on rod. The two most active fliers each made 9 flights, other activity was (#flights each-# fliers): 8-1, 7-3, 6-1, 5-4, 4-5, 3-3, 2-6, and 1-13. Motor use was: 1/2A-2, A-24, B-26, C-45, D-21, E-7, F-3, and 7 others. There were several notable flights including: 3 2-stage flights and a flight that was both clustered and staged. A flight of a 3 stage classic, the Estes 'Farside' was made. These complex rockets all had successful flights. Three halloween theme rockets were flown: a ghost, a pumpkin and a roc o lantern. This was the second busiest launch during the 5 years that I have records. There were many visitors including several young people from school and activity groups, hopefully they all enjoyed themselves and will become active, regular participants in SARA and our launches. Scott from Just Rockets was at the field with his store to support our launch; hopefully, we can supply him with enough business to make his trips worthwhile. Scott's effort is very much appreciated. Once again thanks are due to all those who helped with the range. These launches could not take place without this volunteer participation. Jerry King SARA Statistician ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTEES President . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Dickhous 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 2004 & 2005 LAUNCH CALENDAR / TIMPA FIELD LAUNCH SITE Below is the schedule for the TIMPA launches for the calendar year 2004. 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. SATURDAY DECEMBER 18 9AM to 1PM The following dates are tentative for the 2005 launch schedule. The dates are pending TIMPA concurrence and submittal to the FAA for waiver approval. SATURDAY JANUARY 15 9AM to 6PM SARA 10th Anniversary ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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, biodegradable 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. |
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