Rocketry Organization of California
NAR Section #538, TRA Prefecture #48
The forecast for next week is unsettled and unsettling.
From Monday, Jan 2, to the launch date of Saturday, Jan 9, there is significant chance of rain on the lakebed each day.
The chance of rain is around 50% to 60% each day.
High Temps will likely be in the low 50s all next week, with lows in the mid 30s.
We will be monitoring the situation closely, and providing updates as better information becomes available.
The FAA has issued an Interim Final Rule requiring anyone who flies small unmanned aircraft to register, and to mark each aircraft with their registration number.
This applies to radio controlled and other guided flying machines that weigh between .55 and 55 pounds ( 250 grams to 25 Kilograms ). This is being discussed as registration of “drones”, but includes helicopters and airplanes.
It does not mention rockets, and TRA has said on their Facebook page that it does not apply.
Please note that ROC does not allow ANY R/C aircraft over or near any parking, spectator, or safety area. Flights over the range require permission from a board member, the LCO and the RSO.
Because of the large number of groups we have been getting and the limited number of available low power pads, we will no longer offer youth group discounts at “Special Launches”, including ROCstocks. LDRS 35, in June of 2016 will have special pricing outside of our regular ROC fee structure, and will not include any discount for groups. The discount will continue to be available, in limited numbers, at our regular monthly launches.
At our youth oriented launch in ROCtober, groups who pay the discounted daily fees for Saturday can also fly on Sunday for no additional fee. Currently we do not limit the number of discounts available at ROCtober. We do set up additional low power pads and modify some of our launch practices to ensure we can launch a large number of low power rockets safely and efficiently. ROCtober also includes our normal launch of mid and high power rockets.
The 2016 discounted fee for youth groups will remain $40 for up to ten youths, and $5 per additional youth. Pre-registration and approval is required at least two weeks in advance. Some launches may fill up more than two weeks in advance.
Groups must check in at registration as a group, with liability release forms completed for all group members, including those not flying.
Adult leaders who also register to fly continue pay the normal flyer fees. It is also important that you ensure your group is supervised while you are flying.
Okay, we don’t normally have a monthly news posting, but I am a bit behind…
Changes to the ROC Board of Directors and Officers
Due to having only two people run for three seats on the ROC board of directors, and the resignation of John Van Norman, we had two vacancies on the board. According to our by-laws, the board fills any vacancies by appointment, with the appointees serving until the next regular election.
ROC members Andrew Wimmer and Gregg Halligan indicated they were willing to fill these vacancies, and were appointed at the annual board meeting on November 14.
Also, Neal Hunstein joined the board, and Kurt Gugisberg continues as a board member. They are the two candidates who were elected to three-year terms.
Rick Dickenson will continue as ROC President, Bryce Chanes continues as Vice President, and Cindy Farrington continues as Treasurer. Neal Hunstein has taken over the office of Secretary from Mike Riss, who has left the board. John Howard has taken over as Membership Coordinator from Allen Farrington, who is busy as LDRS35 Launch Director.
New Wireless Launch System from Wilson FX
ROCstock saw the first use of our new wireless launch system, purchased from Wilson FX. It is a customized version of their normal system. Since we have one of the larges range set-ups in the country, and some preferences about our launch controller, we asked them to modify it to suit us.
The new system performed flawlessly! The set up and operation ran very smoothly, and we experienced no delays due to equipment issues during one of our busiest events of the year. We are planning for this new system to be in service for years, and should serve us well. Our previous launch system was in use for over 20 years, and had been refurbished twice. While it remains functional and is available as a backup, the board decided it was time to obtain a newer system. Your dues and flyer fees in action…
Being wireless, the new system is easier and faster to set up and take down, compared to our older system that required long and heavy cables to be unrolled to each bank and rolled back up at the end of the launch. Also, the new system has eight pads per bank instead of six, which should help increase our safe launch rate at larger launches, as well as having a third more pads at monthly launches.
If you would personally like to try out the new system, we will be happy to train you for the position of Launch Control Officer (LCO), since we need volunteers for that position at every launch.
If you are interested in the Wilson FX launch system, you can get more information at:
http://www.wilsonfx.com
Using the New Online System for Membership Renewal (and Sign Up)
Executive members may have already used the new online membership system to renew their membership. If you haven’t, please go on and give it a try. We are trying to provide easier and faster renewal by using an online database. Also the system allows us to contact members easily if the need arises. Of course, personal information is never published, sold, or shared outside the club. If you are currently an Executive member of ROC you will be getting a renewal reminder December first. All memberships run for the calendar year, so everyone is up for renewal at the end of December.
If you are not currently an executive member, you can also use the new online system to join, and if you do so before the December launch, your membership will include that launch, and run through the end of 2016. See, it pays to read these news posts!
Executive membership remains just $60 for 2016, and includes all members in your household. Executive members pay only the daily $5 BLM fee, rather than the $20 regular daily flyer fee. So you break even if you fly four days, and are money ahead if you fly five or more days. LDRS has separate fees, but will include a discount for ROC Executive members. You also get to vote in ROC elections, and run for the Board.
To access the online membership system, go to the website and click the “Join” tab.
Rocketry Organization of California 
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