New NAR L3CC Members

Posted: August 13, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Launch Announcements | Comments Off on New NAR L3CC Members

It is my pleasure to announce two new NAR L3 Certification Committee members. Congratulations to ROCs very own Neal Hunstein and Mike Kramer!

Mike Ostby,
ROC President

2020 Launch Calendar Update

Posted: July 23, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Launch Announcements | Comments Off on 2020 Launch Calendar Update

The ROC Board of Directors has been continuously evaluating the ever changing mandates, rules, recommendations and our responsibility for conducting safe launches relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We’ve reviewed guidance from State and County Public Health Departments.  After much thought and discussion we feel at this time there is no way to hold safe and legal launches. The 2020 Launch Calendar has been cleared.  This is temporary as things change on a daily basis.  We will continue to monitor the situation and once restrictions are such that we feel we can hold a launch we will update the Launch Calendar and post on the website https://rocstock.org/.

If you are a current Executive Member and you have concerns or questions about your membership please email: rocclub101@yahoo.com

State public health directives prohibit professional, social and community gatherings. Gatherings are defined as meetings or other events that bring together persons from multiple households at the same time for a shared or group experience in a single room, space, or place such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, or other indoor or outdoor space. They pose an especially high danger of transmission and spread of COVID-19.

Given that ROC launches are “Public Events” in the eyes of the State and County and can’t be held right now, can I go launch my own rockets at Lucerne?

Yes…within some limits. Here’s what you should know.

1)      Property Use: Generally, the BLM considers Lucerne Dry Lake a “traditional use” area and doesn’t restrict family units from using the lakebed in a non-commercial way. So they’re OK. Stay right around the normal ROC launch area and you’ll be OK. Stay away from other areas of the lakebed to avoid private property, which is dotted all over the lakebed.

2)      COVID Restrictions: All persons must be from the same household and limited to about 5 folks.

3)      Rocket Permission: Since the lakebed is not within 5 miles of another airport (APV is 14 miles away), you are clear to launch Class 1 rockets. A Class 1 rocket is a rocket that has less than 1500g of mass (weighs 3.375 lbs. or less) and has less than 125g of propellant (all motors up to G, including many G motors, check the packaging). So while you can’t fly HPR yourself without a waiver, you can still have some fun with low to mid power.

We hope this helps take off some of the “itch”.

On behalf of the Board of Directors please take care during these extraordinary times.  We all are looking forward to getting back together as soon as possible.

Mike Ostby,

President

ROCtober 2020

Posted: July 20, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Launch Announcements | Comments Off on ROCtober 2020

ROC has decided to cancel the ROCtober launch that was scheduled for October 10th and 11th  2020.   ROC evaluated the situation relative the COVID pandemic, and our responsibility for having a safe launch.  ROC reviewed guidance, from San Bernardino County, the National Organization of Rocketry (NAR) and Scout Leaders.  Based on this input, we feel that there is no way to have a safe and legal launch by October.  ROC is proud of our safety record and with this decision, like all the ROC board makes, the safety of all the participants the most important criteria.

ROC monthly launches have been canceled since April, and will be canceled until the board feels that they can have a safe launch that meets local and NAR guidance.   The ROC website https://rocstock.org/ will show the status of launches once they begin again.  At this time, we will not be accepting any reservations for groups until a clear reopening plan is developed.  Again, any information about groups at future launches will be posted on the website.

ROCtober has become an annual event for many groups, we at ROC look forward to having this tradition, and our outreach to youth education through rocketry continue in the future.

July Launch Canceled

Posted: July 1, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Launch Announcements | Comments Off on July Launch Canceled

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic the July 11th ROC Launch has been canceled.

CalPyro Study Group

Posted: June 30, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Launch Announcements | Comments Off on CalPyro Study Group

To hold high power rocket launches in California one of the requirements is that the launch is supervision by a licensed Pyrotechnic Operator. Otherwise the launch is limited to motors listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) as “Model Rocket Motors”.
ROC has a study/discussion group to help individuals navigate the process of getting licensed. The OSFM will be accepting applications for new licensees in the near future. The license term runs from July 1 to June 30, and they have been processing renewal applications.
There are currently only a few dozen licensees in the state, and only a few who are active participants in ROC. It would benefit the club if we add some new licensees to ensure we always have a licensee at our launches and share the responsibilities.
A third class Pyrotechnic Operator’s License is sufficient for commercial motor club launches such as ROC holds. A Third Class licensee is limited to commercial motors listed by the OSFM. A Second Class license adds self-made motors like those used at Tripoli Research launches. A First Class license includes all hobby and amateur rocketry activity.
There is information about the study group and the process of getting a license on the ROC web page:
https://rocstock.org/learn/advanced/ (Scroll to the bottom of the page.)

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