Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROCKETRY ASSOCIATION NEWS OCTOBER 2004 NEXT LAUNCH - SATURDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2004, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **LAUNCH PAD CHAT FROM THE EDITOR ----------------TIME CHANGE---------------- The October launch starts at 9:00 AM and continues to 1:00 PM (our "winter" schedule). This will be a short note as I've split out the major news items into separate headings below (Outreach Activities, Contest Rules). Note the 10th anniversary celebration water loft and Fat Boy duration rules below. The end of the year is coming soon and several SARA activities need volunteers. First, planning for the 10th anniversary celebration will require people to assist with range operations, registration, range setup, and other celebration functions. Please see Jay Dennis or Jay Dickhous if you can help. SARA will also solicit nominations for its 2005 officers at the November launch in preparation for a December election (you can forget about Bush versus Kerry by then). This is your chance for fame and fortune (settle for the fame and it's only a chance) in the world of rocketry. Contact me or 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **OUTREACH ACTIVITIES Thanks to Jerry King for his assistance with the Cub Scout build session on October 2. We built approximately 50 models at that session. The models will be flown on Saturday, Oct. 23rd at Desert Sky Middle School field (off Rankin Loop in Rita Ranch) from 7:30am to 10am. We have another build session scheduled for Thursday, 4 November, at Marshall Elementary School (near Harrison and 22nd) from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Approximately 50 to 60 models will be built. These models will fly on Saturday, November 6, from 9:00 AM to Noon. Anybody looking to help at these sessions would be welcome. If anybody has an outreach session for which they want help, send me the details so I can publish them. Call Steve Lubliner at 296-1689. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **FAT BOY DURATION CONTEST RULES - There are two age classes for this event: 16 years of age and under and 17 years of age and older. - The model shall be built from an Estes Fat Boy kit - all supplied parts must be used with the exception of the decals and the parachute. - The model must be painted; use of the kit decals is optional. - The model may use Kevlar cord in addition to the kit supplied shock cord. - The model may use any Estes parachute (where the Estes logo appears on the canopy) for recovery. Only one parachute is permitted. No modifications to the parachute are permitted except for the addition of a spill hole) - The motor shall be powered by any certified "C" class black powder motor. - Two official flights are permitted - The duration from the longest flight will be the individual's score; the highest score will be declared the winner - All models must be returned after their flights to the contest officials ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **H WATERLOFT DURATION CONTEST RULES - All participants must be at least Level 1 high power certified. - The motor shall be powered by a single NAR or Tripoli certified "H" motor (based on designation not tested impulse). - The model must carry a minimum of 1 liter of water; the water volume will be verified after the flight - The model may not separate into two or more unattached pieces - All models must be returned after their flight to the contest officials - Two official flights are permitted - The duration from the longest flight will be the individual's score; the highest score will be declared the winner ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **JUST ROCKETS LAUNCH SCHEDULE Las Vegas based rocket distributor "Just Rockets" will attend our October launch. Just Rockets carries a selection of mid and high power rocketry materials including relaod 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 launches on 21 November and 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **SEPTEMBER 2004 LAUNCH REPORT SARA held its monthly sport launch on Sunday September 19, 2004 at the TIMPA site with a FAA waiver to 4500 feet AGL in effect. The turnout was fairly low, probably because of the previous day's rain and the cloudy skies. The conditions were actually very good with clearing skies, low temperatures and winds. The ground was just damp keeping the dust level down to zero. There were some holds for proximate aircraft, but no worse than the usual. There were 52 flights made by 15 fliers, 40 (77%) of the flights were clean; 5 separations, 3 tangled recovery devices, 2 lawn darts, 1 CATO and 1 no chute comprised the failures. The most active flier made 9 flights, other activity was (# flights-# fliers): 7-1, 5-2, 4-1, 3-5, 2-2, and 1-3. Motor use was: 1/2A-3, A-5, B-6, C-25, D-4, E-5 and 7 others. There were 2 flights using motor clusters, both were successful. There was an unfortunate spectacular CATO in a nice 'Spaceman' that resulted in considerable 'injury' to the rocket. A now rare full stack Estes space shuttle had a very nice flight. Once again thanks are due to all who helped with the range. 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 OCTOBER 23 7:30AM to 10AM Cub Scout Fly Session 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 All Day? 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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