Category: Launch Announcements

Greetings everyone. 

ROCstock is a go.   The lakebed is in great condition.  Thanks to Vice President Mike Ostby for making the trip out to the lakebed to check the conditions first hand.  

Range setup will begin Thursday and will be open for launching Friday morning. Weather conditions will be cool with temperatures in the upper 60’s during the day and low 40’s overnight.  Campfires are permitted in above ground containers and you must have a California Campfire permit to have a one or use a propane stove outdoors. The permits are very easy to obtain and you can get one here https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/. The BLM and fire department do come out and check so please get your permit as the fine is not worth the risk.

We are expecting to have the range open at approximately 8am each day with night flights from 8 – 10pm Friday and Saturday. Remember to bring your ROC membership card to launch for free and your NAR / TRIPOLI card to show certification level. New 2023 ROC membership cards will be available for pickup at Registration.  ROC will also be hosting a fun Easter egg hunt Sunday morning for everyone in attendance. 

Looking forward to a great launch and seeing everyone on the playa!

Gary Schneider 

ROC President 

The March launch is cancelled because of high winds forecasted for Saturday and heavier than predicted rain today impacting lakebed access.

We’ll see everyone in April at ROCStock

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Standing water on the lakebed, as well as additional precipitation in the forecast will prevent the January launch from being held. Given the heavy rains we’ve seen this season, be sure to keep a close eye on the forecast and our media channels for the February launch.

The good news is that we have received our approved Certificate of Authorization (Waiver) for calendar years 2023 and 2024.

The bad news is that due to the area we launch in and the airspace we share with so many others, the FAA has reduced our maximum flight altitude to 10,000 feet above mean sea level.

This is about 7,000 above ground level at our launch site.

There is no provision for high-altitude call-in windows.

The board is discussing possible options, but for now this is what we have.

What a great launch yesterday where we experienced perfect flying weather and a good crowd. In our annual meeting ROC announced the elected Board members who will serve a full three year term. They are Mike Ostby, Allen Farrington, and Jim Wold. Big thank you to outgoing Board member Gregg Halligan for his service. 

After the launch the ROC Board elected our officers for 2023. Here are the results:

Board Officers

President – Gary Schneider

Vice President – Mike Ostby

Secretary – Neal Hunstein

Non-Board Officer

Treasurer – Cindy Farrington

Club Prefect – Rick McGee

See everyone in January…Neal