| Launch Schedule |
2/6 - Club Launch - A
3/6 - Club Launch - A
4/10 - Club Launch - N
4/11 - Research Launch - N
5/1 - Club Launch - N
5/?? - Equip Cleanup - TBA
5/29-31 Mile Hi Mayhem - N
7/10-11 - Club Launch - N
9/11 - Club Launch - N
9/?? - Equip Cleanup - TBA
10/8-11 - Oktoberfest - N
11/6 - Club Launch - N
12/4 - Club Launch - A
1/1/10 - Club Launch - A
1/8/10 - Annual Meet - TBD
N = North Site, A = Atlas Site, H = Hartsel, TC = Tripoli Colorado
P = SCORE Lauch Site
CO Rocketry Calendar
| |
 | |
September Launch
Wednesday, September 08 @ 05:52:25 MDT by jhinton (10 reads) |  We have received a cautionary GO for launch this Saturday, September 11th, from the North Site. The RED FLAG has been attached to the flagpole but has not been run up the mast yet. Please remain aware that currently considered safe Launch Conditions are subject to change. Fire Risk assessment may still affect this launch and could alter the plans for Oktoberfest. The FIRE risk is extremely high and we will need to be extra cautious.
It is summer time on the prairie. The extended weather forecast calls for clear to partly cloudy skies, unusually cooler temperatures and the slight chance of afternoon thundershowers. Saturday will be for commercial motors only, with the range and waiver (20,000' AGL) expected to be opened by 8 AM until 5 PM. An orientation briefing for participants will be held Saturday morning and will include a discussion of safety and emergency procedures, fire conditions and fire fighting instruction, applicable NFS rules and regulations, and what is expected of participants with regards to the Land Use Permit issued to NCR.
As always, volunteers are needed to help with range set up, operation and clean up. Please contact Ed Dawson at volunteer@ncrocketry.org
Hope to see you out on the range.
| | (Read More... | Score: 0) |
|
News Item: July Launch
Wednesday, July 07 @ 11:04:42 MDT by Jhinton (121 reads) |
We are GO for Launch on Saturday and Sunday, July 10th and 11th, from the North Site. It is almost summer time on the prairie. The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, warm temperatures and the chance of afternoon thundershowers. Saturday will be for commercial motors only, with the range and waiver (20,000' AGL) expected to be opened by 8 AM until 5 PM. Sunday will be a Tripoli Research Launch day, with the waiver again open at 8 AM until 5 PM, depending on the weather and interest. Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with “windows of opportunity” for higher altitudes shots to be arranged. As always, volunteers are needed to help with range set up, operation and clean up. Please contact Ed Dawson at volunteer@ncrocketry.org Hope to see you out on the range.
| | (Read More... | News Item | Score: 0) |
|
Recreation Event Inspection
Thursday, June 17 @ 10:19:24 MDT by jhinton (176 reads) | Permit Holder: Northern Colorado Rocketry
Event: “Mile High Mayhem” rocket launch event
Event Date(s): set-up Thursday 5/27/10; event activities Friday, 5/28 – Monday, 5/31
Inspection Date/Time: Friday, 5/28, on-scene from approx. 0900 - 1230
Location(s): North Launch Site, Main Allotment, on National Forest System Road (NFSR) 45
Documented by: Jon Halverson, Recreation Special Uses Administrator
Comments:
Number of Participants – approx. 50 people when I was there. NCR subsequently reported ~ 100 registered flyers for the event plus spectators, etc. An estimate of the total number of people is somewhere around 350.
Saturday, 5/29 was expected to be the busiest day at the event with the most people in attendance, the most flights, etc. NCR subsequently reported that the winds that day prevented many flights so Sunday, 5/30 was the busiest day with 197 flights.
Quite a few, but not all, of the people attending camped at the site.
Site Impacts - The event site showed very little, if any, ground/vegetation disturbance or other physical impacts associated with group’s activities.
Temporary Facilities - Temporary facilities consisted of a number of tables for launch preparation and control, the launch pads themselves and electronic launch equipment, a portable PA system and safety ropes/signs. Sun/rain canopies were set up by the vendors and by individuals at their parking/camping locations. The club’s equipment trailer, which is used at all club launches, was parked near the launch control table and used for storage. The number and size of temporary facilities appeared to be appropriate for the event.
Safety/Signing – The PA system was used to announce flight information and to warn participants when flights were taking place. The spectator area was separated from the flight area by a safety rope and everyone not actually involved in a flight was kept behind that rope.
Signs advising the public of this being an FS-authorized event and warning of rocket flight activity were posted at both the north and south entrances to the area on NFSR 45. These were new signs, which replaced the old “hazard warning” signs. The wording is essentially the same as in the sample in the Standards for Operations so is acceptable.
Vehicles/Parking – I estimate there were approximately 25-30 vehicles present (including passenger vehicles, vehicles with trailers, and RV’s) when I arrived on-scene, all parked appropriately on flat, dry ground and within 100 feet of the road. More vehicles arrived while I was present. No resource damage was evident. NCR subsequently reported approximately 150 vehicles present at the height of activities on Sunday, 5/30.
As part of the set-up for the event, a line of pin flags were set at 100 feet from the road to delineate the limit for vehicle parking. This is a great idea and is above and beyond what NCR is required to do. NCR personnel observed 2 vehicles go short distances past that line (both were well beyond the end of the flag line so may not have seen it) and immediately went over to ask the drivers to move the vehicles, which they did. NCR might consider extending the flag line further on each end to cover the entire area where vehicles would normally be expected to park, based on anticipated number of participants.
No off-road motor vehicle use was observed or reported.
The only possible deficiency I noted during my visit was that the gate, supposed to be kept closed, at the south entrance to the area on NFSR 45 was left open and unattended for a while on Friday, 5/28. This was noticed and corrected (and reported to me) by NCR personnel. It did not result in any problems but it could have if cattle had been in the area. No one admitted having left it open and there was some non-event related traffic on NFSR 45so responsibility can’t definitively be assigned. The majority of the traffic on the road was event-related however. NCR needs to stress keeping gates closed at all times, if they are supposed to be closed (if that is how they are found). NCR subsequently reported that this same gate was damaged sometime later during the event, apparently by someone running into it. NCR did offer to help fix the gate.
Sanitation – No sanitation issues were observed or reported.
There were 6 portable toilets present. They were appropriately located on flat, dry ground adjacent to the road, 2 at each end of the parking area and 2 in the middle. In addition, there were several RV’s/trailers with self-contained facilities present. The number of toilets present appeared to be adequate for the number of people anticipated.
Trash cans were present. The area was generally clean and free of litter during my visit. NCR subsequently reported returning several days after the event to police the site for trash again.
Vendors – There were 3 vendors present. There did not appear to be any issues relating to vendor activities.
Fire – All specified fire protection measures were used/in place. The old fire shelters I had given NCR were being used under launch pads to help prevent pad fires.
Winds were very light while I was there, obviously well under the threshold speed for suspending launches, so were not a concern.
Two incidents of concern occurred while I was present but neither resulted in a fire. In one case, a rocket went haywire immediately after leaving the launch pad. It came down a short distance away and hit the ground with the engine still burning. Event personnel with suppression equipment surrounded it almost as soon as it hit the ground but vegetation ignition did not occur and no action was necessary. In the second incident, an engine mount tore loose from the rocket being launched and flew independently, coming down about 75 yards from the pad with the engine still burning. Event personnel responded quickly but, again, ignition did not occur and no action was necessary. Vegetation was pretty lush and green so it did not present a receptive fuel bed.
Other – I had planned to get to the site early enough to attend the daily orientation briefing but was delayed and missed it.
A satellite phone was present at the Launch Control table to ensure adequate communications were available during the event. The number was provided to me prior to the event and I gave it to District personnel for forwarding to grazing permit holders, etc.
Based on info from the District Range Staff, I had advised NCR that a rancher would be moving cattle through the launch area on Thur (the set-up day) but, as it turned out though, this actually happened on Fri during the launches. NCR cooperated fully to accomplish this without any problems. The rancher showed up at the site that morning and told NCR he was going to be moving the cattle so NCR suspended launches to facilitate the movement. After the cattle were in the proper pasture, NCR waited a reasonable amount of time to allow them to get clear and then tried calling the rancher to see if it was OK to resume launches but got no answer. I recommended waiting a few more minutes and after the additional wait, I gave them the “go ahead” to continue launches. I watched the cattle during the first several flights to see if there was any reaction to the noise, etc. from the rockets but did not see any. All told, launches were suspended for approx. an hour.
I was given a copy of the information sheet that NCR provided to all registrants. It contained a lot of good information for event participants, notably about keeping the area clean and preventing/dealing with fires. Some suggestions for additional info to include in future info sheets – to improve an already-good handout - are:
· Stress the need to keep closed gates closed in order to prevent cattle movement.
· Stress the flagged 100 foot line as the limit for vehicles off the road.
· Mention the lack of available firewood and stress use of only the single campfire ring for those camping on-site (Note: NO problems were observed with this – I’m just trying to think proactively).
Summary – Overall, the event appeared to be very well planned, organized and executed. Activities, with the one exception of the gate issue, were in compliance with the terms and conditions of the special use permit, the Standards for Operations and the approved operating plan. NCR did a very good job of preventing problems and reacted quickly to any that arose.
The group seems to be well aware of their responsibility to take care of the public’s land and grateful for the opportunity to launch here.
| | (Read More... | Score: 5) |
|
8th Annual Mile High Mayhem
Sunday, May 23 @ 20:35:47 MDT by jhinton (199 reads) | We have been given the green light from the US Forest Service for MileHighMayhem next weekend, May 28th,29th, 30th and 31st on the Pawnee National Grassland at NCR’s North Site. Friday and Saturday are for commercial motors and Sunday and Monday the range will be operated under Tripoli Research rules. On-site registration will be available Friday, May 22nd, Saturday May 23rd and Sunday May24th. Limited edition T-shirts have been printed, vendors have been contacted and thanks to several club volunteers, our equipment will be ready for another memorable launch. Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with anticipated “windows of opportunity” for higher altitudes shots. We anticipate having the range set up and ready by 9 AM on Friday, and we’ll operate until 6 PM. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the range and waiver will be open at 8 AM. Wristbands will be required for ALL flyers and ALL flyers will need to be registered. Sunday and Monday are TRA Research Launch Days and flyers must be current Tripoli members and certified L2 or higher to fly research loads. The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with characteristically light winds and comfortable temperatures for Spring on the prairie and the possibility of afternoon thunder showers. In other words, it should be an awesome weekend for flying. Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest. Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend responsibly.
VOL_NTEER – What is missing is U. If you have already volunteered to help with range operations, thank you. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to contact Ed Dawson, NCR Volunteer coordinator at volunteer@ncrocketry.org Lots of opportunities to help are still open.
The Pawnee National Grassland offers the ultimate in rustic, open space camping although for this event we will have Porta-Potties on site. Self sufficient camping is permitted on site. We are, however, limited to only one campfire in the established fire pit at the south end of the flight line. Firewood is nonexistent on the prairie so contributions are welcome. The nearest motels are in Wellington, CO, Cheyenne, WY, and Ft. Collins, CO.
Please treat our National Grassland with respect. As is typical with camping in most public areas, we are required to remove all of our trash. Be considerate and responsible. If you bring it, be prepared to leave with it. Please clean up your parking and prep area before you leave and take all of your stuff with you.
An abundance of raffle prizes have been collected. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 each at the registration table. Drawings will be held about every two to three hours each day and the winning numbers will be posted at the registration table. Prizes not claimed by 6 PM will be re-cycled for the next day drawings.
Hope to see you out on the range.
| | (Read More... | Score: 0) |
|
May Launch
Monday, April 26 @ 08:31:04 MDT by jhinton (241 reads) | We are GO for launch at the North Site! On Saturday, May 1st, 2010, NCR will be hosting the Annual Pawnee Pioneer Open to coincide with our regularly scheduled club launch. This launch day will be for commercial motors only. Expect the waiver and range to be opened by 9 AM until 5 PM on Saturday. An orientation briefing for participants will be held and will include a discussion of safety and emergency procedures, fire conditions and instruction, applicable rules and regulations, and what is expected of participants with regards to the use of NFS lands under our special use permit.
In addition to High Power and hobby flying, the following events make up the Pawnee Pioneer Open for 2010.
· 1/4A Boost Glider Duration -- Launch a boost glider with a 1/4A motor. The model may separate into multiple pieces, only the gliding portion is timed. Any separated part must have a recovery device, e.g., an ejected motor must have a recovery device attached.) Achieve the longest
duration.
· D Helicopter Duration -- Launch a rocket with a D motor and using autorotation recovery. Achieve the longest duration.
· F Super-Roc Altitude -- Launch a Super-Roc with an F motor and achieve the largest score. Your score is the altitude of your rocket in meters times the length of your rocket in centimeters. For F Super-Roc the minimum length of the rocket is 200 centimeters, while the maximum length is 400 centimeters. An entry that comes apart, bends so as to crimp the body, or has a similar structural failure prior to ejection
shall be disqualified. Entries with bodies or significant structural parts made from hard or potentially unsafe material (e.g., hardwood doweling or fiberglass shafts) shall not be allowed.
· Giant Sport Scale -- Open to any model rocket that closely resembles an existing or historical guided missile, rocket vehicle, or space vehicle. The purpose of this competition is to produce a flying replica of a real rocket vehicle that exhibits maximum craftsmanship in construction, finish, and flight performance. The model must be at least 100 centimeters in overall length or at least 10 centimeters in body diameter.
These four events coincide with contest offerings at NARAM 52. All NAR members are invited to join in this sanctioned competition activity. We will need a minimum of 10 NAR contest fliers to make this a Regional Contest.
The Entry fee for the Pawnee Pioneer Open will be $5.00 and this will allow you to compete in any or all of the competitions listed. You must have a NAR membership to compete. (If you’d like, we can get you signed up on the field!)
In the event of iffy weather a decision will be made no later than 11:00 AM as to what will be the contest's next step. At this time, Sunday, May 2nd is planned as a backup date.
As always, volunteers are needed to help with range set up, operation and clean up. Please contact Ed Dawson at volunteer@ncrocketry.org
Please note that all launch events will be conducted using nationally approved/accepted range safety practices. The launching of rockets on NFS land is normally prohibited under a Forest Service Region 2 fire regulation. The issuance of this permit allows launches to take place by exempting the Holder from that regulation for approved launch events only. All launches, other than those conducted by the Holder during approved launch events, are outside the scope of this permit and are prohibited by Forest Service regulations.
On Sunday, May 16th, starting at 9 AM, NCR will hold our bi-annual equipment clean up and maintenance party. The MAYHEM prep and equipment cleanup gathering will once again happen at our Equipment Manager's place, just outside of Longmont. Please contact Ed Dawson at Volunteer@ncrocketry.org and let him know you’re coming. We’ll need about 8 to 10 people to make this job go quickly.
Hope to see you out on the range.
| | (Read More... | Score: 0) |
|
LDRS and TV
Tuesday, April 20 @ 07:58:19 MDT by jhinton (283 reads) | Tripoli Rocketry Association Inc and Discovery Channel have signed a multi
year/multi event contact to begin this LDRS!
LDRS and Balls will be covered this year. We need projects!
Two specific projects will be covered for LDRS:
Low Altitude (Odd Roc) a’ la The flying Porti Potty By Ky from LDRS 22
And
A 16 Rocket drag race.
This entry is limited to 16 contestants. Rules and vehicle configuration
are being finalized, but tentatively we're looking at J with colored exhaust
and 6 inch diameter body tubes. All to show up better on camera
This event is limited to 16 total.
Also looking for Special projects with (visual) impact!
- Big rocket projects
- Odd rocket projects
- Projects made by rocket LDRS veterans who've been around for
years
- Rockets made by younger kids who are future LDRS stars
- Rockets breaking records; pushing the limits of rocket
construction
A whole family of rocket-makers.
Pat G on a Stick
Discovery is planning to film at the builders locale and at LDRS.
Final contest rules and vehicle rules will be announced as soon as
finalized
Contact myself at _jetviper@aol.com_ (mailto:jetviper@aol.com) or Bruce
Lee at _bruce.lee@tripoli.org_ (mailto:bruce.lee@tripoli.org) .
For the Board
Dick Embry
| | (Read More... | Score: 0) |
|
News Item: April Launch
Tuesday, April 06 @ 10:32:31 MDT by jhinton (267 reads) | If the weather cooperates, we have a GO for launch this Saturday, April 10th and Sunday April 11th from the North Site. Saturday will be for commercial motors only and Sunday will be for TRA Research. Expect the range and waiver (20,000’ AGL) to be operational by 9 AM. NCR is an Authorized Permitee of the Pawnee National Grassland.
An orientation briefing for participants will be held and will include a discussion of safety and emergency procedures, fire conditions and instruction, applicable rules and regulations, and what is expected of participants with regards to the use of NFS lands under our special use permit. Recent windy days have elevated the need for extra vigilance of the fire risks on the range.
For those of you that drive a long ways to attend our launch, please check with your favorite weather forecast before leaving home. The current forecast calls for clear to partly cloudy skies, with temperatures reaching into the low sixties.
Please note that all launch events will be conducted using nationally approved/accepted range safety practices. The launching of rockets on NFS land is normally prohibited under a Forest Service Region 2 fire regulation. The issuance of this permit allows launches to take place by exempting the Holder from that regulation for approved launch events only. All launches, other than those conducted by the Holder during approved launch events, are outside the scope of this permit and are prohibited by Forest Service regulations.
As always, volunteers are needed to help with range set up, operation and clean up. Please contact Ed Dawson at volunteer@ncrocketry.org
Hope to see you out on the range.
| | (Read More... | News Item | Score: 0) |
|
Breaking News
Friday, March 26 @ 12:49:28 MDT by jhinton (266 reads) | We just got a message from TRA/NAR legal counsel Marty Malsch, informing us that the court had ruled on the TRA/NAR fees recovery motion. It appears the court will grant fees recovery, but only for the legal costs after the remand back to the District Court:
ORDER granting in part and denying in part [117] Motion for Attorney Fees; granting [123] Motion for Leave to File. For the reasons stated in the accompanying Memorandum Opinion, the plaintiffs' motion for fees and costs is granted for fees and costs incurred in the litigation subsequent to the Circuit Court's remand, and denied for fees and costs incurred prior to remand; the plaintiffs' motion for leave to supplement their motion for fees and costs is granted; and the plaintiffs shall file an amended calculation of costs by April 16, 2010, and the defendants may respond to the plaintiffs calculation by April 30, 2010. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 03/26/10. (lcrbw2)
Marty will be working on the calculation. In his message to Trip Barber and me, he stated:
"We are entitled to fees, but only for expenditures after the D.C. Circuit's remand (including $ spent for the fee motion itself), and we won't get enhanced rates. We'll have to do a revised calculation to see how much we'll get."
While we had hoped for the whole legal effort's costs, and at an enhanced rate, the court ruled in this manner, presumably consistent with Judge Walton's interpretation of the guidelines for legal fees recovery from a Federal agency. These, as I understand them, do permit an amount of interpretative latitude by the court. I'll provide further details when I have them.
Ken Good
TRA President
| | (Read More... | Score: 0) |
|
March Launch
Monday, March 01 @ 12:35:54 MST by jhinton (462 reads) | If the weather cooperates, we have a GO for launch this Saturday, March 6th, from the Atlas Site. This launch will be for commercial motors only. Expect the range and waiver (12,000’ AGL) to be operational by 9 AM. NCR is an Authorized Permitee of the Pawnee National Grassland.
An orientation briefing for participants will be held and will include a discussion of safety and emergency procedures, fire conditions and instruction, applicable rules and regulations, and what is expected of participants with regards to the use of NFS lands under our special use permit.
| | (Read More... | 2000 bytes more | Score: 0) |
|
February Launch Pending
Monday, February 01 @ 16:57:15 MST by jhinton (509 reads) | NCR is now an Authorized Permittee of the Pawnee National Grassland. The greatly anticipated Signatory Ceremony has been completed this Thursday morning, the 4th of February. NCR is a GO for launch on Saturday, February 6th, at the Atlas Site. This launch will be for commercial motors only with the Waiver (surface to 12,000’ AGL) and range expected to be active by 9 AM. An orientation briefing for participants will be held and will include a discussion of safety and emergency procedures, fire conditions and instruction, applicable rules and regulations, and what is expected of participants with regards to the use of NFS lands under this special use permit.
| | (Read More... | 1791 bytes more | Score: 5) |
|
| |
| Login | | Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As a registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name. | |
| NCR Events | Info on NCR's Big Events!
Click these links for Info pages and signups!
| |
|
