Category: Launch Announcements

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August launch report

The August launch was excellent and the numbers show a good mix of low and high power.

The weather forecast was good before the launch and this was correct. See, the weather forecasters can get it right occasionally. :-) It was about 10 F cooler than normal for August. The temperature was 62 F at sunrise and by afternoon it was about 98 F.

Most of the set-up occurred on Friday afternoon with the help of Steven Seeright and the rest of the set-up went quickly early Saturday morning. We launched until around 3:00 in the afternoon and there was only a slight breeze for the whole day.

The construction on the Northbound I15 and shutdown of some lanes didn’t seem to cause excessive travel time. Many people just left for the launch a little earlier than normal. So the “Cajon Crawl” didn’t seem to cause a big problem with people getting to the launch.
Here’s the breakdown of rockets based on impulse:
A: 2
B: 15
C: 32
D: 5
E: 8
F: 7
G: 14
Note: 3 launch cards that were low power but missing or illegible motor information
H: 13
I: 9
J: 9
K: 3
L: 2

So, 122 lights total. This includes 2 NAR Level 1 (one successful), 4 TRA Level 1 (all successful) and 1 TRA Level 2 (successful).

LCO started out with Steven Seeright, followed by Rick O’Neil, then David Reese. At the end of the launch, we tested the wireless microphone system and it worked well.
I wish my narrative could do this launch justice. There were many great flights and I’m going to miss something. David Erbas-White had 5 successful flights, and Gary Schneider (Level 3) flew 4 model rockets and also his scratch-built “Gone Bananas” on an I285. Other people like Doug Sutton flew both model and high-power rockets and had the opportunity to fly multiple times during the day. Even Board members Rick Magee and Kurt Gugisberg flew rockets – how crazy is that!
I think the number of people that flew 2 or more high power rockets during the day is remarkable and an indicator of what a good day is was. The list includes Chris Cotner, Brian Sutton, Gary Schneider, Rodney Shepherd, Steve Jaben, David Reese, Dave Peterson, James Lynn, and Chris Covany with 4 good flights and the last one was a high alt on a L935 Imax!

Can’t wait for September. Thank you everyone for a great August launch.

Richard Dierking

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ROC’s Drone Policy

ROC's Drone Policy

 

Due to guidance from our national governing organizations, as of October 2019, ROC prohibits the use of all drones, UAVs, RC aircraft and any other flying devices that are not rocket powered boost gliders, regardless of location or time at our events.

No…we don’t allow the type of drones pictured here, even though there is a missile in the photo!

We have been asked in the past about drone usage at ROC launches. With hobby drones in the news lately, we thought that we’d let everyone know what our policy is. The first and foremost concern at all ROC launches is SAFETY! Drones are normally flown under RC Aircraft rules and conventions, which means that you can’t fly a drone over the parking area, spectators, or safety zones.

We do allow drones to the South of the parking area, please be careful.

We also allow drones on the range for special purposes like getting a cool video of a launch from above. Drones on the range require prior coordination with a ROC Board Member and are at the discretion of the LCO and RSO at the range head.

Thanks, and let’s all have safe fun!

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ROC Launch Report – May 2014

On May 10, 2014, ROC held its regular monthly launch at Lucerne Dry Lake.  Despite somewhat blustery conditions, it was a well attended launch with quite a few good flights and certifications.  Altogether, a total of 97 flights were logged between about 8:30 am and 1:00 pm, with the following breakdown by impulse:
 
A – 16
B – 7
C – 15
D – 6
E – 9
F – 3
G – 14
H – 9
I – 15
J – 2
K – 1
 
For most of the morning, winds hovered a bit above 15 mph, which made for challenging recovery conditions.  It took a while for some of the flyers to get up their nerve, but eventually the rockets came out and started flying.  Professor Erik Spjut really broke the ice when he brought out his high altitude Hawk Mountain Transonic II, outfitted with a custom temperature logger payload and a bevy of other electronics.  Powered by an Aerotech K375NW dual thrust motor, it punched through the wind and soared impressively straight to over 12,600 feet.  He recovered it without problem just east of the highway for a good flight to kick off the high power activities.
 
There were quite a few red cards logged this launch… No, not for flagrant fouls, for certifications!  15 separate cert flights were made, 10 NAR L1, 3 Tripoli L1, one NAR L2 and one Tripoli L2.  Mike Brinker Flew his Madcow Super DX3 on a J357 Blue Streak for his L2, while Ben Chasnov went with the CTI J760 in his custom built and instrumented “Woodpecker” rocket.  A majority of these cert flights were students attending with school groups.  It’s great to see these new flyers climbing the rocketry certification ladder.  Though not a cert flight, Kyle LaBrecque, a senior from La Cañada high school put up an impressive I280  Dark Matter flight for his school project.  A lot of these flights were recovered east of the highway due to the winds, but there was great teamwork in evidence, with groups helping one another with recovery and everyone keeping in good cheer.
 
Among some of the other noteworthy flights, Two Guys and a Grille took time out from cooking to put up their Li’l Squat on an E16.  ROC regular Jared Shapiro flew his Starfish Prime on an I600.  Brianna Stumph flew a cool Estes Majestic two-stager on an F15 to F15 duo.  Jamie Sobieski tried his second L1 cert attempt of the day on an I150 Pro54 load, but was thwarted by a baffling CATO that cut his casing cleanly in half!  But with characteristic good humor, Jamie laughed it off and assured all that he’d be back for another try next month.
 
Of the several Harvey Mudd College flights, most of them included sophisticated electronic payloads, including such things as inertial measurement units, temperature and humidity sensors, strain gauges and more.  Millikan Middle School youth group brought out a number of good scratch-built TARC rockets for some great flights.  A lot of good looking G80 powered scratch built rockets came out of one of the visiting school groups.
 
The low power and mid power pads saw good activity as well, with a good showing from several groups and individuals.  Elizabeth Navarrete’s flight “Let it Go” on a C6-5 lived up to its name; the wind never bothered me anyway!  Emmet Martin’s first flight of an Estes Magician on an E9 went well.  Many of the most popular Estes kits were represented, with some creative paint jobs and names.
 
The range shutdown went smoothly, and things got packed up in the club’s svelte new mini-trailer before the afternoon winds picked up and the dust started to blow.  The new smaller trailer is easily towed by just about any vehicle with a 2″ hitch ball, so this should open up towing help to a much wider group of volunteers than in the past.  Kudos to board members Kurt Gugisberg and Mike Riss for outfitting the new trailer and getting it ready for the launch.  It is really slick!  Please contact us if you would like to help the club by volunteering to tow the equipment trailer one of these months!
 
With this month’s launch behind us, everyone is now looking forward to ROC-Stock, which will be the 20th anniversary event.  Look for announcements soon regarding this upcoming launch.  While the launch will run Friday-Sunday, you are invited to come out on Thursday to lend a hand with range setup and equipment testing and repair.  It will be a great way to give back to the club and help ensure that this ROC-Stock is one of the best ever.  We hope to see you there!
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Good Vendor News

Hi ROC Members and Friends:
 
   I’m pleased to announce that Mike Gentile of Bay Area Rocketry (http://bayarearocketry.com) has informed us that he has received his BLM vendor permit and starting with the upcoming May launch, will be an onsite vendor at ROC monthly launches, supplying high power motors and supplies.  This is great news for our club and will facilitate our ability to purchase and fly HPR motors.  Let’s welcome Mike and BAR to Lucerne!
 
And while we are at it, don’t forget to appreciate and patronize our other faithful vendors, Discount Rocketry for all your low- and mid-power rocketry needs, and Two Guys and a Grille, for all kinds of yummy food and ice cream!
 
See you all at the May launch!
 

 

Greg Lyzenga
ROC President – NAR #13295 / Tripoli #12088
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Membership changes

In response to feedback the board has received from the membership a number of simplifications and changes are planned.

The first of these is to change the membership period to be a calendar year rather than a year from the date of joining.

This change takes place with immediate effect and any new members joining during 2014 will be members for 2014 and will need to renew for 2015 on 1st January 2015.

Existing members with memberships ending this year are offered either to join for 2014 at $60 and ‘donate’ the difference or for this transition year pay for the rest of the year prorated which is $5 per month.

Any members that joined or renewed in February 2014 can either treat the additional month as a donation or contact me and renew in 2015 or we will take the extra month off next year’s membership renewal.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,
Ian Walberg
ROC Vice President.