Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ **HELLO AND WELCOME First off, an apology for not getting email notice out to all of you prior to last month's launch. Consequently, we have a little more information to share in SARAnews this time around. While late afternoon temperatures in the upper 90's are predicted for this weekend, our late morning launch scheduled for this Saturday should witness splendid weather. We are now looking at what most consider to be the beginning of our best flying season here in southern Arizona. We hope that you will make the drive to TIMPA and join us this month. Below are the two latest launch reports, August and September, from Jerry King. There is also some sad news to share and some question to ask you, our membership base, as to which direction we should take in regards to our future high power flying options. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **SPACE MODELING SOLUTIONS The sad news to report is that Pete Riddell has decided to cease operations of his Phoenix based business, Space Modeling Solution, effective August 2003. The apparent reason for this move is the high cost of business insurance that he does not wish to incur. Pete provided a dedicated model rocketry retail business that has been an invaluable asset to rocket hobbyists and, in particular, high power enthusiasts in southern Arizona. His portable business stand was a regular fixture at SARA launches for several years and he gave Tucson area consumers the option to directly purchase kits, motors, and building supplies that are, for the most part, unavailable in regional hobby shops and only otherwise obtainable from mail order sources. I'm sure that I speak for all of us in wishing Pete the best of luck in his future endeavors and hopes that he will join us at future SARA launches simply in the capacity of a builder and flyer. If you have any unfinished business with Pete in regards to purchases of storage of motors please don't hesitate to contact him . . . launch@smsrocketry.com or by phone at (480) 497-1960 or by fax at (703) 832-3237 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE (AP) FUEL GRAIN STORAGE MAGAZINES Because Space Modeling Solutions is no longer available to store larger AP motor reloads, we are at somewhat of a crossroad now as to what is available for us. SARA, as an organization, could make the purchase of a suitable BATF approved storage magazine for ammonium perchlorate (AP) solid fuel reloads and, possibly, have it placed at the TIMPA site. While this would be an ideal situation, it might not be possible to house a magazine at the TIMPA site due to legal restrictions . . . something that we will have to research. Other options also include SARA purchasing or building a magazine at another site or, alternately, for SARA to rent suitable magazine space from another private or business concern. This is not a definite course of action yet, just an idea to float among the membership. We want to hear your thoughts. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- **NITROUS OXIDE (N2O) HYBRID MOTOR GROUND SUPPORT Another entirely different idea would be for SARA to
invest A hybrid motor typically features an aluminum tank to hold While the cost per flight of a hybrid motor is significantly less expensive than a comparable thrust AP composite motor, the initial expense of proper ground support equipment has to be factored into the investment. There are several good competing hybrid motor technologies available to the consumer and this means that a comprehensive ground support system would have to be purchased that could accommodate all the 3 or 4 most popular brands of NAR and Tripoli approved motors. This is something, thanks to the accrued membership dollars that we now have in the bank, that SARA can afford to do. As with the idea of an AP storage magazine, nothing has
been decided upon yet. We would like to involve our paying membership in the
choice of a prospective purchase such as this. Please let us know how you feel. **MEMBERSHIP IN SARA 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 ouruse of the launch facility. The membership fees, on the other hand, are what pays for
SARA's anticipated annual operating expenses (NAR chapter membership, There is also the ongoing expense of maintaining and/or improving our launch equipment. Now that may begin to make choices about purchasing storage magazines and/or hybrid motor ground support systems, those dollars from membership fees are now more critical than ever before. 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 website from one of their computer terminals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **AUGUST 2003 LAUNCH REPORT The SARA monthly sport launch was held at TIMPA on August 23, 2003. It was a bright, sunny day with fairly brisk winds early which then moderated to nearly still conditions and it became hot. There was evidence of considerable rainfall and it appears that the fire danger is now much reduced. Sixteen fliers made 54 flights of which 47 (87%) were clean. There were 4 separations, 2 no ejection and 1 lawn dart. Three people tied at 8 flights each for most frequent flier honors. The other activity was (# flights each-# fliers): 6-1, 4-2, 2-6 and 1-4. Motor use was: 1/2A-1, A-6, B-10, C-18, D-9, E-7, F-0 and 8 other flights. There were 3 successful 2-stage flights and one successful
flight of a 3 motor cluster. A few of the failed flights were rather spectacular
with beautiful rockets being severely damaged. **SEPTEMBER 2003 LAUNCH REPORT The Southern Arizona Rocketry Association held its monthly sport launch at TIMPA on September 21 with an FAA waiver to 4500 ft AGL in effect. The weather was cooperative with warm-hot conditions, clear skies and low winds. There were few aircraft holds. This launch was considerably busier than the recent ones. Twenty eight (28) fliers took advantage of the launch to make 104 flights of which 81 were clean (78%). This is well below our usual success rate. There were 14 separations, 3 tangled chutes, and 1 each: early ejection (with a stripped chute), no ejection, lawn dart, kicked motor, no chute and a probable motor block failure (resulting in a burned up rocket). It appears as though increased vigilance of recovery devices, especially shock cords, would be desirable. Our most frequent flier made 7 flights and other activity was (# of lights each-# of fliers): 6-4, 5-3, 4-9, 3-4, 2-3 and 1-4. Motor use was: 1/2A-13, A-4, B-16, C-33, D-16, E-8, F-5, and 13 other motors. There were 2 flights using clusters of 2 motors and 2 staged flights with 2-stages each and all were successful. A very nice flight was made by an Estes Saturn V. We had many new faces and a large number of young people at this launch. We hope that all had a good time and will be frequent participants in the future. Thanks are due to all who helped out with the range these
past two months. Special appreciation should be expressed to Doug Forester for
his work on both the range. The new board fencing saves much time and trouble
with Jerry 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. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2003 9AM to 1PM We are now in our Fall / Winter 9:00AM to 1:00PM **TENTATIVE 2004 LAUNCH CALENDAR / TIMPA FIELD While we can not be 100% sure that this will comprise the correct launch calendar for next year just yet, these are the dates that we have submitted to TIMPA. It is possible that other event that are held at TIMPA which enjoy a national reach, such as the annual R/C jet rally, may take precedence and we may have to reschedule one or two of these dates. Please refer to future editions of SARANews or the SARA web site for date changes and other updates. SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 9AM to 1PM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **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 1mile 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
eventsyou 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. |
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