The 2007 NCR Annual Club Meeting

The meeting was, as usual, held in the Ault, CO VFW hall located at 100 1^st Ave, (CO Hwy 14) in Ault, CO.  We've used this hall since 2004 and we're likely to continue to use it in coming years. You can get directions here;

Northern Colorado Rocketry Annual Members Meeting
January 13, 2007
VFW Hall 434, Ault, Colorado

Agenda

Call To Order by Joe Hinton at 12 noon.

Announcements:

Big Yearly Events:

Article on Octoberfest could be in next issue of Extreme Rocketry

Lost and Found Monster Case claimed by John Smolley

Meeting Agenda

1. Review of NCR By Laws - Joe Hinton
   Bylaws - in place since 2003, copies available for review and will be up on the website within a few weeks under the About NCR menu item.
   Membership - You must be in good standing (dues fully paid) for voting, covers meetings, majority present to ratify votes, exec committee, elected officers: President, TRA prefect, TRA secretary.
   
   No proposed changes to the NCR by-laws

2. >USFS Land Use Permit - Joe Hinton
   
   We do not have a permit; it is still on file pending approval (for last 5 years), new contact is Annie Macfarland who is reviewing the biologist environmental assessment report to determine our impact; We are in good standing with USFS and the head man John Oppenlander.
   
   Forest service rules are re-stated at the request of the USFS: ALL animals on leashes, no ATVs / bicycles except in designated areas, foot recovery only.  Stay on designated roads, park only adjacent to road, 1 fire pit at each site, pack in / out all trash. Some reminders about reporting and sightings of the endangered Plover and the USFS wildlife habitat restoration attitudes. Also a brief mention of the potential impacts of a fire ban and how these restrict our access based on USFS assessment. 
   
   We are in good standing with the forest service as we have been good about taking care of the area. Big thanks to Joe Hinton for maintaining a good relationship with the forest service
   
   A few comments about fire prevention and fire fighting. The club has flappers, brooms & fire extinguishers at all launches. Always approach from the back or the sides of the fire - relative to the breeze or wind, never from in front of the flames. Use extinguishers by placing finger over nozzle and squirt the base of the flames. If propellant masses are involved, wet down the ground around them as you'll never be able to extinguish the burning propellant. With the brooms, sweep into the fire and don't push to far in - contain the boundary of the flame front. Use flappers used to sweep over and smother fire, working from the edges into the center. Do NOT flap the fire!

3. FAA Waiver Report - Joe Hinton
   
   Both site waivers approved, sunrise to sunset, pending notification. Atlas Site waiver is surface to 12000 (4800 feet base altitude), 1 nautical mile launch radius - anything above 5000' should use dual deployment. This site is shared with PASA. North Site (Pawnee) has a 20,000' AGL waiver (5430' base altitude), 2 mile launch radius, site is shared with PASA, NCR, Rocky Mtn Rocket society, Pawnee Rocket society.
   
   We must still notify FAA 24 hours in advance, with 1 hour notice of waiver opening and again 15 minute notice before going active. Safety spotters must look for aircraft to insure flights don't interfere with aircraft in the area.
   
   We are responsible for safeguarding persons & property, requirements of waiver.
   
   RSO and LCO must be at least 18 years old for high power operations. Rules covered by FAR 101.
   
   Last year after waivers were approved, submitted requests for higher waiver amendment to 30,000'AGL. We can do this again for specific dates as we did for last years Oktoberfest and Mile High Mayhem. It was held to a voice vote as to whether Joe should begin negotiating with FAA for an increase in the standing waiver to 25,000' AGL with call-in windows to 35,000' for Mile High Mayhem and Oktoberfest. Vote carried with no opposition.

Raffle- MHM 2006 donated by Dave Hansen

4. Treasury / Membership Report / Equipment Report - Patty Netherton & Dale Netherton
   
   Patty - good response for volunteers this year with a lot of folks stepping up to help with the 3 day launches and with equipment - thanks to all!
   
   Currently NCR has 171 members, 118 current paid active members, 37 lifetime members, and the remainder inactive.
   
   Finances - Beginning balance from last year - $3,350.66, We spent $2,962.64, primarily for porta potties and food costs for annual meeting, along with 5 new batteries for launch controllers, website fee for 2007, hall rental, club dues to TRA / NAR, laminator, and minor petty cash expenses like mailings with a net gain over the beginning balance of $1950. Our current bank balance is $5,176.  Most of the income was made from the 3 day events and to a lesser degree from raffle ticket sales at our big events and annual meeting. Member dues really only covers our dues to NAR and TRA national organizations and minor upkeep. The real gains come from 3 day events and donations. We received donations from 4H and Troop 66 in thanks for allowing their participation in MHM and Oktoberfest. Many thanks to these groups. 
   
   After many years covering Treasurer, Membership and Equipment Manager; Dale and Patty Netherton are stepping down from any official capacity. They both start school and have other personal activities that are taking up enough of their time that they feel the time has come to hand the torch over to others. Beginning after the meeting, Ken Plattner will be stepping up to take over as Treasurer and with Joe Hinton will take over maintaining the membership rolls. Ed Dawson is stepping up as Equipment Manager with Warren Musselman helping out.
   
   We are not organized as nonprofit currently, but TRM was nonprofit status, Patty would like us to pursue nonprofit status, possibly incorporation.  TRM nonprofit status was filed by John Hall and Bo Viger for TRM.
   
   Dues have not increased in several years, we do not charge for regular day launches. And still no reason to increase.  NCR aims to remain break even and self-sufficient.
   
   After their presentation, Dale and Patty were given a rousing standing ovation as they have both been a key force in NCR's success since 1999 - thanks to both of you for all you have done for NCR!
   
   Warren Musselman made the request that we replace some launch rods, add more pads with rails, and add 2 more launch boxes to the limit of the launch panel. Warren offered to donate his rails if the club pays to have pad bases and blast plates made for them.
   
   Ed Dawson has volunteered to be equipment manager.  Ed previously was on Exec Committee as Volunteer Coordinator.  Ed's now wearing two hats.  Ed asked if it was OK to send out emails when volunteers are needed for the trailer and other things.  The club resoundingly approved that Ed send out notes when he needs help.

Joe reminded us that we're all volunteers and this club succeeds through everyone's help: to take care of the equipment, help out with cleaning, assist with getting stuff to and from the range, setup and teardown, cleanup, etc. 

A reminder was made that the trailer requires a 2" ball hitch, and a 4 pin in-line electrical connector and that some adapters are available in the red toolbox. Talk to Ed, Joe or Warren for more details.

5. Webpage - Warren Musselman
   
   The assembled crowd gave Warren a round of applause when he stepped up to talk about the website. All think it a great improvement over the older one and that it's been a big addition to the club. Some complained of lost content that had been on the previous site before Warren took it over in mid-2005 from Larry Bowser and Ed Krohne. Warren is still trying to recover as much of that material as possible, but the work goes slowly. The site is now professionally hosted with Beginning in 2007, we have to pay for hosting due to the amount of use we make of the system. Warren has negotiated rates of $10/month with 4 GB of storage and unlimited accesses from the provider who was providing us with hosting and a lot of custom programming to implement the contests and other NCR-specific sections of the site for free. We also get email addresses for all the club business.
   
   Warren has found a volunteer, a new club member named Jeremiah Johnson, to help with PHP and contest code programming. We'll be seeing some of the rough spots on the site cleaned up as well as some new capabilities in the near future. As of now, users can access the site anonymously or login with forum access and other personalized features. Efforts are being made to add more tools for the executive committee folks on the site as well as more features for the users. Warren proposed the question of whether the club contact list should be accessible to the membership who logs in to the site. Conway proposed that we limit that to the forum-based private messaging feature to limit harvesting of email addresses by spam-spiders. Vote taken and Private Messaging option was chosen. All website users are asked to ensure that the email address in their user profile is correct. Also, additional new features are anticipated including limited video streaming and an all new volunteer section that will allow folks to volunteer for trailer towing, LCO, RSO, and other duties at launches year round.
   
   Warren reported that the website has over 415 users, although quite a few are duplicate logins from people who misplaced their username and/or password. The site has had over 350,000 hits since it went live in August of 2005. The forums are posted to daily by a range of folks and have much better participation than the forums on the old site. All are welcome to participate.
   
   Finally, members who want their day in the sun can submit digital photos to be used as the website front page photo or as the header image - Please submit photos to Warren at webmaster@ncrocketry.org if you'd like to have your photo featured on the website home page.

6. NCR Contests and Awards - Warren Musselman
   
   Warren then moved off in the the club contest results and awards, starting of by immediately admitting he screwed up and never ordered the trophies or figured out how to print the certificates for the various contest winners. If he can figure it out, he promises to contact the winners and mail the certificates and/or trophies.
   
   Single Shot Sweepstakes -
   
   This is a cash contest with a $20 entry fee. Rules have been that the flyer only gets a single attempt to fly to the maximum possible altitude on a specified motor. In 2006, the Single Shot Sweepstakes, or SSS, was based on using a single "new" Aerotech G-80 single use motor. The winner collects the pot of money collected from the entry fees. 100% of the entry fees are paid out as the prize.
   
   John Wilke won for 2006 with an altitude of 5876' using his bird, "Joe looks good in Fuscia". Total winnings were $200.  Ed Dawson actually beat this altitude by 400 feet with his carbon fiber "SSS", but Ed wasn't able to recover the rocket by the close of waiver that same day - one of the rules for the SSS contest. Notable mention should be made that Bob Messner built a beautiful launch tower that a number of people used for this competition. His own entry in the SSS flew to a very respectable 4965'. John would have lost his bird, and his win, if not for Bob's assistance in recovering John's bird. John made the elegant gesture of splitting the prize pot with Bob in thanks. Two other contestants actually flew; Warren Musselman and Chris LaPanse, but neither rocket was recovered.
   
   This years Single Shot Sweepstakes will have a few changes in the rules, though the basic format is the same. A voice vote was taken on whether or not to close entry after the first flight or to allow multiple entries by a given flyer as long as they paid an entry fee for each successive attempt. This vote carried with only 4 opposed. As of 2007, multiple entries are allowed for the Single Shot Sweepstakes and entry to the contest never closes. However, each entry must fly a new rocket. You cannot re-fly the same rocket if you make more than one attempt at the Single Shot. Electronic or audio tracking remains banned and the rocket must be retrieved by the close of waiver on the day it is flown. The flight must be declared prior to ignition. Each entry remains $20. The motor for 2007 is the Roadrunner brand G80 single use motor. This motor is available from Jon Skuba and his growing rocketry business, CoolRocketryStuff.com. This motor is 108 newton-seconds total impulse and has an integral thrust ring.
   
   The best quote of the day for this contest was Joe Hinton's - "That's a very small rocket and a VERY big prairie."
   
   Super Single Shot Sweepstakes -
   
   In the Super Single Shot Sweepstakes, only one flyer actually made a successful flight and only two made the attempt out of 6 entrants. Ed Dawson was the only flyer with a qualifying flight on this year's motor - the Aerotech J350, turning in an altitude of 11,784' and clinching the win of the $120 pot. John Wilke also attempted the contest, but had an anomalous flight and no altitude was turned in.
   
   This contest is being continued again in 2007. Entry remains $20. Electronic tracking remains legal. The motor remains the Aerotech J350. Other motors were discussed and suggestions included the AT K185, the CTI L730 and others. Concensus was that it was more accessible to more flyers to continue with the J350 motor.
   
   
   Altitude Records -
   
   Warren took the time to announce that John Wilke is now the Club "Altitude Junkie Emeritus" as he currently holds the Tripoli G altitude record of 7852', the NCR club F record of 6076', the NCR club H record of 10,674', the I record of 12,136', the J record of 16,873', the K record of 20,719', the L record of 23,304' and finally the M record of 18,660'. John took a brief bow. He also briefly held the Tripoli L single motor altitude record during 2006.
   
   AP Bonfire -
   
   Winner this year is Justin Freeberg with approximately 10.6Kg, Art Hoag in second place with just under 8Kg, Team Event Horizon in third place with 7.75Kg (in 1 launch), Doug Gerard of New Mexico with 7.6Kg in fourth place and finally fifth place goes to Steve Marshall with 6.4Kg of APCP burned.
   
   Beer Boost -
   

   The Beer Boost is not as popular as it once was. There were only two participants this year. Whether this was due to the change in the rules or people just don't drink beer like they used to is debatable. Seth Sinnema and Joe Hinton both flew at the Oktoberfest-only event. This year, the rules were changed from parachute duration to landing closest to the pad. Joe flew a New Castle Brown in his Jayhaek and landed about 200 meters from the pad. Seth flew twice with root beer. Joe won with a flight that landed within 300 yards of the pad.
   
   Frequent Flyer Award -
   
   Frequent flyer awards go to: Art Hoag with 75 flights (33 or so of a spool) followed by Chris Frazier with 46 flights, John Reilly with 36 flights and Jon Skuba with 34 flights.
   
   LCO Award -
   
   LCO of the year award goes to Warren Musselman, who pushed the button 248 times in 2006, followed by Jon Skuba with 201, John Marvin with 112 and finally Joe Hinton with 109. Thanks to all our LCO volunteers.
   
   RSO Award -
   
   Starting in 2007, RCO's will be tracked in the launch log database and we'll be able to award prizes for those who step up to the plate to be an RSO. See the volunteer page for details.
   
   Icarus Contest -
   
   Bob Messner made the only two Icarus flights this year and of course wins the Icarus prize by default even though he turned in two excellent flights that would have been hard to beat at 9459' and 9905'. Due to the lack of interest, the Icarus contest is taking a hiatus during 2007. We will revisit this contest at the next Annual Meeting.
   
   Race to Space -
   
   The Race to Space will continue to remain open to existing participants. The contest is closed to new entries. Bob Messner end the year with 44,088', John Wilke with 44023' and Jon Skuba with 3516'.
   
   Warren brought up that the website allows him to reinstate and old NCR contest - the Mile High Club... and Two Mile High Club... and Three Mile High Club... etc. etc. Sometime in 2007, the code will be in place on the website to honor everyone who can claim a reported altitude in excess of 1 mile, 2 miles, etc. at an NCR club launch.
   
   There was a proposal made to hold a contest based on an egg loft using the new Aerotech H999 Warp 9 motor. - an attempt was made to gauge the interest of the membership present, but only two votes were had in the positive to stage such a contest.
   
   Warren then turned the floor over to Bruce Schaefer to discuss hold NAR sanctioned contests at club launches.

7. NAR Contest - Bruce Schaefer
   Bruce Schaefer made a brief presentation about holding a NAR contest launch at either the April or June club launch. The consensus of the member was in favor of it provided the NAR folks can come up with sufficient volunteers to make it happen.
   
   After considerable discussion during the meeting and a survey on the website forums amongst interested parties, the situation will work like this: The NAR Contest launch will be held during the June launch on 6/2 - the same day as the next club meeting and BBQ at the North Site. NCR will sponsor a set of NAR open contests (for collecting contest points):
   A Parachute Duration E Boost-Glider (Rocket Glider) D Streamer Duration F Super-Roc Duration)
   
   These are open to TRA members, but can't get NAR contest points.  John Marvin suggested that maybe we should start smaller if we're just getting into NAR contests, since the club doesn't have a lot of members working on points. The issue of whether the club wants to sanction competitive NAR events was voted on and carried. It was noted that there was a strong need for volunteers to do timing, run tracking points, etc. An estimate of 10-12 people will be required to volunteer to make this work. Dates were suggested at the April and June launches. April was initially agreed on, but it has been moved to the June launch. Notice and rules, etc. will be published on the website when the details are worked out.

8. Tripoli Research (EX) Launches - Joe Hinton, Mike Bennett and James Russell
   
   Joe indicates that we now have TRA insurance coverage for EX launches.  James Russell, the Tripoli Colorado prefect gave short talk focusing on the fact that they have had no incidents at their research launches.  TRA covers these launches and does not require landowner signoff, same coverage as commercial launch.  More than half the members have attended an EX launch.  Mike Bennett indicated he would be willing to host mixing parties to teach people about recipes and motor construction, has equipment that would be happy to make this equipment available to the club / donate if can operate under NCR TRA EX.  Participants need to be a Tripoli member, certified L2 or above and over the age of 18. to be covered under TRA insurance.  Others can spectate, though children and pets are discouraged. Flyers and people in the motor/rocket prep areas must be 18 years of age and Tripoli members as well as L2 certified. (This is includes NAR certification as acceptable)

Vote: EX launches to be sponsored by NCR - approved with no opposition

9. Proposed Launch Schedule - Joe Hinton
• February 3     Atlas
• March 3          Atlas
• April 14           North
• April 15           North - research launch
• April 21          Cleanup / prep (Dale and Patty's house, Ed backup to host)
• May 4-6          North - MHM, Sunday May 6 to be research day
• June 2             North  (maybe evening Meeting & BAR B QUE??)
• June 3             North - research launch
• June 9-10      Hartsel Tripoli CO Spring Fling (Sat commercial, Sun EX)
• July 7              North
• July 12-17      LDRS, Las Vegas, NV
• Aug 2-5          Hellfire 13, Salt Flats
• Aug 4              North
• Aug 5              North research
• Sept 1             North (Labor Day weekend)
• Sept 2             North - probable CERG  Coyote Hunt launch (unsanctioned)
• Sept 8             Hartsel Fall Frenzy TC Commercial
• Sept 9             Hartsel Fall Frenzy TC Research
• Sept 22                      Cleanup party for Oktoberfest (Ed / Warren)
• Sept 28-30     BALLS
• October 5-7   North - Oktoberfest (Sunday research day)
• Nov 3              North
• Dec 1              Atlas
• Jan 5 2008     Atlas
• Jan 12 2008  Annual NCR Membership Meeting

This schedule of launch dates was approved by the majority of the membership.

Raffle - G77R - donated by John Wilke

Aerotech Mantis pad & launcher - donated by Mike Bennett

10. Swingset - Art Hoag
    
    Art told everyone that the Swing Set launch pad will be out at the two 3 day launches, if people needed it other times, contact Art, otherwise use Pro Extreme rail.  Art thanked Joe on behalf of the club and gave him a copy of RockSim 8 in appreciation of Joe's unflagging efforts on behalf of the club.
    
11. Vendors
• Tim - Giant Leap Rocketry - big motor orders - order 1 month in advance at least for M's or large K's for MHM.  Cesaroni - any motor larger than L requires hazmat 1.3C processing, costs $400 for freight alone, to get around the shipping, we can order a large batch for pickup at LDRS and saving the hazmat fee. Need to get orders placed at or before MHM for pickup at LDRS (10-15% discount + no shipping fees).  Giant Leap will sponsor motors for 10 junior L1 fliers.  Giant Leap awarded Danielle with a Thunderbolt 38mm kit to sponsor junior fliers.
• Jon Skuba - Coolrocketstuff.com - hardware supplies - quick links, large U-brackets, Roadrunner rocket motors, laser cut centering rings
• MissileWorks - Jim Amos - Make sure you preorder your AMW motors for MHM
• PhotosbyNadine - rocket launch photos
• Joe Cowan - Hobbytown USA - has contingency storage, wants to be carrying Loki Research motors - call Longmont store if you need to order motors through Hobbytown, can pickup at Fort Collins or other locations, arrange through Joe.
• Brian Penfold - Rocket Garden - attends many of our launches
• Alpha Hybrids - Edward Wranosky - I, J, M at MHM 54MM preloaded hybrids

Mike Crawford will be coordinating hybrid equipment / supplies for the club. He will work with Ed Dawson and Warren Musselman.

12. Election of Officers
    

    Elections were held for the offices of President, Tripoli Prefect and Tripoli Secretary for NCR. 

    • NCR President: Joe Hinton ran unopposed and was elected by unanimous vote by those in attendance.
    • NCR Tripoli Prefect: Joe Hinton ran unopposed and received 19 votes by written ballot by the TRA members in attendance. Conway Stevens received one vote (though he didnt run!).  Joe was elected once again as NCRs Tripoli Prefect.
    • NCR Tripoli Secretary: Glenn Colon-Bonet ran unopposed and received 19 votes by written ballot and is elected again as TRA Secretary.
13. New Club Business

• Need 2 more launch controller boxes, new launch rods, need more large bases (need 2 more big bases for rails that break down and fit well into trailer)

ADJOURNMENT about  4:30 PM 

Respectfully submitted, Glenn Colon-Bonet

Edited for the web by Warren Musselman

Minutes approved for distribution by the Executive Committee