Category: Launch Announcements

Current lakebed conditions are good BUT there is a lot of standing water on the north side of the main road in. STAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ROAD! We will have cones marking the path so just follow the cones and don’t cross over until the porta potties. Remember you are entering at your own risk and arriving at night is not recommend. If you try and go through standing water or ditches with water and get stuck we have no way to pull you out.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Currently the December 13th. launch and annual pizza lunch is GO! The lakebed is still damp in certain areas and there is water in some of the ditches and gullies but the road appears to be passable. We will be checking conditions again this week and will post updates if deemed necessary. NO UPDATES AFTER THIS POST MEANS LAUNCH IS ON AS SCHEDULED. As with the last couple launches just be careful driving in and watch for ditches to avoid by going around. We will try and have them marked with cones.

Range will open by 8am and continue until between 12noon and 1pm weather pending as always. 2026 membership cards will be available at registration for pickup.

ROC will also be hosting our Holiday Pizza Lunch on the lakebed at approximately 12:30pm as our way of saying Thank You to everyone for another successful year of rocket launches. Pizza and dessert will be provided. Please bring your own drinks.

Happy Holidays and looking forward to seeing everyone on the playa.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Just an update regarding the entrances to the lakebed.
When arriving at the lakebed please use caution just like last month. There are still some deep ruts along the more direct entrance on Granite Road. There is a large rut shortly after you turn onto the dirt entrance and another farther down at the intersection of Granite Road and Rock Road. We will try and have some markers placed to guide vehicles to go around the ruts to the left.
If you go to the original entrance on Cambria Road, it is very smooth and is a better option.
PLEASE BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN DRIVING IN. If not careful you could easily get stuck or damage your vehicle. You are accessing the lakebed at your own risk! If arriving after sunset, It is difficult to see the ruts going slowly in the daylight so it will be very hard to see them at night. Also, drive on the ‘south’ lane, (left side which would be the “exit” side) not the bigger ‘north’ (right lane) lane of Granite Road like usual when entering. Just drive slow, pay attention and you will be fine.

Setup will begin Thursday, launching to start Friday at approximately 9am – 4pm. Saturday approximately 8am-4pm with night flights scheduled 8pm-10pm and Sunday approximately 8am -12noon.

See everyone on the playa.

Gary Schneider
ROC President y

ROC’s long time member, former board member and former club president passed away this past Tuesday early in the morning. He was diagnosed recently with Pancreatic cancer. He was a mentor to countless rocketeers, young and old. He was a NAR L3CC and certified many many folks at all levels. He was a genuine person who loved to visit folks at our events. He offered assistance and advice to anyone who asked. Many of us remember the pool parties at his home after June Rocstocks. He particularly loved crayon rockets. Didn’t matter if they were low, mid or high power. He loved them all.

ROC plans to celebrate his life at the next Rocstock in November. Details forthcoming. He will be missed by all. Our hobby has lost a great man.

FLY HIGH RICK !!!

What a great LDRS 40!  The weather was warm and the winds came for a visit each day! Flying began Thursday at 6 AM and we flew until 2 PM and 1 Night flight was launched, Friday we flew from 6 am until the wind picked up just before 2 PM and the winds slowed down enough for 20 night flights, Saturday we flew from 6 AM until the wind picked up at Noon and Sunday we flew from 6 AM  – until the wind picked up again about 9:30 AM. There were 250 pre-registered flyers with many more joining to fly for a single day and several hundred spectators! 

Thank you to all the Vendors that came out and supported LDRS 40- Aerotech, Animal Motor Works, Chris’ Supplies, Discount Rocketry, Dynasaor Rocketry, LOC, Rocketman Parachutes, SBR,  Tahoma Photography and Wildman Rocketry! 

LDRS  Launch Report

We had 652 flights over the course of LDRS XL!

½ A: 3

A: 16

B: 26

C: 45

D: 38

E: 20

F: 56

G: 67

H: 119

I: 95

J: 77

K: 49

L: 19

M: 22

24 of the above flights were clusters with 2 or more motors. There were also additional flights that were 2 – 3 stages!

There were 45 Certification Attempts: 4 Jr. Level 1’s; 23 Level 1’s; 15 Level 2’s and 3 Level 3. Congratulations to all those that were successful!! 

Thank you to all who came and flew with us, helped LCO, FSR, RSO, Spotter, Pad Manage and Clean Up! We appreciate your willingness to volunteer! 

A huge shout out to the ROC Board members, LDRS Committee members and the Tripoli Board Members that helped plan and organize LDRS 40 for the past 6 months. 

We will see everyone on July 9th for our regular Monthly Launch, as always weather permitting. 

Cari Schneider

ROC Membership Chair