Volunteering for NCR

NCR NEEDS you! Without you, this club cannot function. There are several ways for everyone to be a part of the team. You don't need to be an experienced rocketeer or have your Level X to help out. They are many ways to help keep our launches going. Don't be afraid or intimidated as these positions are easy to step into and there are a lot of people ready to help out and show you how things are done.

Trailer Towing

We always need someone to help with towing the equipment trailer out to the site as well as return it to its storage location after the launch. We do not need the same person to volunteer for both delivery and return; we can share the task. Remember, no trailer; no launch.

We typically start flying by 8:30, so it means an early start to the day. So setup need to start at about 8:00. The return time always depends on the weather and how many motors are left. Typically it's about a 4:30 departure.

The trailer requires a 2" ball and a vehicle able to handle a tongue weight of 350#, and we have several adapters for a variety of trailer light configurations. Our trailer does not have electric brakes, so there's no need to worry about a hookup for that.

Setup and Clean up

Somewhere between 3 and 20 people are needed to unload equipment from the trailer and set it up on the grasslands. This is definitely a case of the more the merrier. Launch pads, cables, battery boxes, and the launch controller. For larger launches, like Mile Hi Mayhem and Oktoberfest, we bring out the P.A. system, extra LCO and registration tables and more range safety flags.

For the clean up we either need to have volunteers committed to stay to the end, or start the clean up process before everyone scatters to the wind and heads home.

Cleanup can be one of the most important aspects as if we leave trash on the grasslands we will surely lose our privileges of flying at one of the most pristine launch environments in the nation.

RSO - Range Safety Officer

At our big launches and busy days, we need a separate RSO to ensure overall range safety. We like to keep this to a two hour tour of duty so as not to get burned out and so that everyone gets a chance to fly. At smaller launches we combine the LCO and RSO roles into one position.

The RSO is the Range Safety Officer. The RSO is responsible for checking every rocket before the flyer can step up to the LCO's table. The RSO has absolute authority to deny a flight if (s)he has any reason to believe the flight will not be safe. The RSO must be at least Level 2 certified and also have a good grasp of what is a safe motor and rocket combination. RSOs also need to make a judgment regarding a rocket's stability whether the rocket is from a kit, scratch built or a modified kit. The RSO should also confirm that the flyer has planned for the appropriate delay time (when using motor ejection).

If there is a complex rocket, such as an air start, staged, or clustered motors or a motor larger than a "J", the rocketeer should be instructed to set up at the away cell. This is a very important job as it affects the safety of ALL of us.

This important job needs to be done. If no one is RSO'ing the rockets, no rockets fly.

In addition to determining rocket stability and safety, the RSO (in conjunction with the LCO) must make sure we do not violate FAA, NAR or Tripoli requirements. For example, the RSO must be certain that we do not violate the terms of the waiver either by flying too close to the waiver (within 1000 feet of the waiver) or by flying through the clouds. We often have a waiver in excess of the cloud ceiling; the cloud cover defines our available ceiling, not the waiver.

You may wish to follow this link to Tripoli's RSO guidelines;

Tripoli RSO guidelines

Or this link to NAR's High Power Safety Code:

NAR Safety Code

LCO - Launch Control Officer

"The skies are clear. Going in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!". How many times have you heard it? Now's your chance to say it. And better yet, it's your opportunity to live vicariously through other people's rockets. They cut, glue, sand, prime, paint and buy the motors. Then you get to launch it. How cool is that! It's also your chance for fame and fortune. Well maybe neither, but it's still fun.

Being LCO is simpler than many think. The basics can be boiled down to;

1. Open the left and right ranges. The key to the launch controller allows you to selectively lock them on and off.
2. Assist the flyer and Pad Manager in assignment of the proper launch pad (based on rod/rail type and motor selection).
3. Close the range, and announce which range(s) is/are closed.
4. Check the skies and range. Make sure they're clear.
5. Use the key to arm the range.
6. Announce the rocket and pad.
7. If it's a certification flight, make sure witnesses are ready.
8. Announce heads up launch or certification attempt if needed.
9. Check continuity.
10. Call the countdown.
11. Push the firing button.
12. Wait for clear skies and the recovery device to deploy and then launch the next one until the pads are cleared.
13. When all pads are launched, open the range for the next group.

We require that you be at least a Level 1 flyer to act as LCO.

Registration

For Mile Hi Mayhem and Oktoberfest we require that every flyer be registered. This job is busiest in the mornings, particularly Saturday morning.

Working the registration table involves:

1. Check to make sure that attendees have their NAR or Tripoli membership.
2. Due to insurance requirements, only people who are members of one of the national organizations may fly High Power (ie: above "G" motors). People flying "G" or smaller motors must still register and pay the launch fee. Minors flying Estes type rockets do not pay a launch fee.
3. Everyone needs to sign a registration form.
4. Each person gets a color coded wrist band.

Pad Manager

This is a position only necessary on those busy days like the Saturdays of MHM and Oktoberfest.

The Pad Manger works with the RSO and LCO to coordinate safe and effective loading of rockets onto the proper pad. Ensure that the firing control leads are not switched between controllers and pads; rods are not being bent to load the rockets. The PM also helps instruct new flyers and guests with the use of our system.

The Pad Manager also needs to keep a watchful eye on what rocket configuration and sizes are being brought in for the day. Then the PM is also responsible for facilitating the re-configuration of the launch pads. On busy days launch pad reconfiguration should be kept at a minimum.

In the event that the flyer needs to change rods or rails, the Pad Manager will ensure that unused equipment is safely and neatly returned to the equipment trailer. We don't want flyers changing rods or rails unsupervised or having unused rods or rails lying on the ground for people to trip on or damage.