Launches

Note: This page is kept as up-to-date as humanly possible but I'm not responsible for last minute changes. Please send corrections to rocket877@aol.com

Texas Amateur Rocket Launch Sites with maps,GPS coordinates and other info - Texas Burn Ban Map

Texas Rocket Launches and Club Meetings
February 11, 2012	Tripoli Houston (TH2) High Power Launch at Hearne Municipal Airport, Hearne, Tx - NOAA forecast
February 11, 2012	Heart of Texas Rocket Club (HOTROC) Independent High Power Launch at Asa, Tx - NOAA forecast
February 11, 2012 Tentative	Alamo Rocketeers Model Rocket Launch at Kitty Hawk Flying Field, Garden Ridge, Tx 10 AM to 2 PM - NOAA Forecast - Weather
February 18, 2012	Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) Model Rocket Launch at Frisco, Tx - NOAA Forecast - Weather
February 25 & 26, 2012	West Texas Rocketry (TWT) Tripoli Research Launch at Girvin, Tx - NOAA Forecast
February 25, 2012 Tentative	Alamo Rocketeers Todd's Father's Launch (RSVP) at Kitty Hawk Flying Field, Garden Ridge, Tx 10 AM to 2 PM - NOAA Forecast - Weather
February 26, 2012	Old Rocketeers Model Rocket Launch at Robert's Ranch in Needville, Tx NOAA Forecast - Weather

National Events

September 7, 2011 - May 12, 2012	Team America Rocketry Challenge 2012
April 13-15, 2012	NARCON 2012 at Hutcinson, Kansas hosted by KCAR #505 and KOSMO #427
May 26-28, 2012	NSL 2012 at Geneseo, NY hosted by MARS #136
July 12-16, 2012	LDRS31 at Potter, NY hosted by Upstate Research Rocketry Group, TRA#139
July 28 - August 3, 2012	NARAM 54 @ Muskegon, MI hosted by SMASH #500 and MMAR #702 NARAM 54 Brochure

Types of Rocket Launches

Class 1, Model Rockets	Rockets are limited to 1,500 grams (3.3 Pounds) total weight and no more that 125 grams of propellant in commercially made and certified motors. No individual high power certifications are required. Some restrictions may apply however based on field size and other considerations.
Class 2, High Power Rockets	Rockets may be larger than 3.3 pounds total weight. The upper weight limit is determined by the motor used. The motors must be commercially manufactured and certified between "H" and "N" (great than 160 N sec and less than 40,960 N sec) impulse. Maximum altitude and impulse is determined by the FAA waiver in effect and field size. Individual fliers must be certified by NAR, TRA or CAR if the launch is hosted by one of these organizations. Some clubs allow model rockets to be flown at their high power launches but is best to check with club officers before showing up.
Research	Hosted by Tripoli Rocket Association prefectures only. All fliers must be current TRA members and TRA High Power Rocketry Certified Level 2 or higher to fly research motors. Commercially manufactured motors may be used, consistent with the certification level of the individual. Class 2, Maxiumum altitude and impulse are determined by the FAA waiver. Some clubs allow unaffiliated and uncertified spectators at Research launches but it is best to check with club officers before showing up.
Independent Launch	Rockets and motors appropriate to the field conditions and FAA waiver are generally acceptable. Both commercially manufactured and homemade motors may be used. All flights must be approved by the Range Safety Officer (RSO). These launches are sometimes uninsured and each individual attending the launch must sign a liability waiver.
Meet or Competition	Rocket competitions sponsored by NAR clubs. The United States Model Rocket Sporting Code or "Pink Book" establishes the rules. Rockets are limited to 3.3 pounds propellant and "G" or less impulse. Meets can be classed as Local, Open, Regional or National depending on the scope of the meet, i.e. the number of participants and sections. Regular sport (non-competition) flying is usually allowed.
Snap	A launch that isn't regularly scheduled
Night	A launch conducted at dusk or night with modified or specialized rockets using lights. A FAA waiver is not required for Night Launches which use only Class 1 rockets. Night Launch Yahoo Group

Texas Amateur Rocket Launch Sites - Burn Ban Map

Name	Longitude, Latitude and Elevation	County	Club Website	Normal Launch Window	Current Weather	FAA Waiver	Impulse Limit	Range Fees (may vary)	Contact
Asa	3125'51" N, 9702'18" W, 372 feet	McLennan	HOTROC	Any Saturday & Sunday October - February	Waco	11,000/24,999	N	$10 for 1 day $15 for 2 days	Charles Barnett
Bastrop	3005'43.41"N, 9719'12.31"W, 362 feet	Bastrop	CenTAR	Varies	Bastrop	N/A	C	None	O. Lee James
Bertram	3046.048' N, 984.713'W, 1265 feet	Burnet	AARG	1st Saturday, April-August	Bertram	5280 feet	J	Class 1 $7 Class 2 $10	Stu Barrett
Bob Woodruff Park	3301'29"N, 9639'31"W, 530 feet	Collin	DARS	Varies	Plano	N/A	D	None	Jack Sprague
Center Point	29.94237 N, 99.04145 W, 1516 feet	Kerr	Hill Country Rocketeers	To be determined	Center Point	N/A	Class 1	None	Art Applewhite
Chester's	2930'57"N,9827'31"W, 751 feet	Bexar	SARS	1st Wednesday	San Antonio	N/A	N/A	None	Bryan Sparkman
Frisco	3311'13"N, 9646'30"W, 776 feet	Collin	DARS	3rd Saturday	Frisco	N/A	G	None	Jack Sprague
Girvin	3100'31"N, 10216'16"W, 2310 feet	Pecos	WTR	4th Saturday & Sunday	Girvin	21,500' AGL	N	$5/day for members $10/day for non-members	Jay Holcombe
Hearne Municipal Airport	3051'38"N, 9637'18"W, 271 feet	Robertson	TH2	2nd Saturday	Hearne	12,500/15,000	M	$10/day	David Bachelder
Hutto	3036' 49" N, 9729' 51" W, 650 feet	Williamson	AARG	1st Saturday, September-March	Hutto	13,000' AGL	M	$7 Class 1(MR) $10 Class 2(HPR)	Stu Barrett
Johnson Space Center (JSC)	2933'30"N, 9505'51"W, 16 feet	Harris	NHRC	1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday	Houston	N/A	G	NHRC membership required	Warren Benson
Kitty Hawk Flying Field	2937'25" N, 9816'15" W, 735 feet	Comal	Alamo Rocketeers	3rd Saturday	Garden Ridge	N/A	G	None	Art Applewhite
Roberts Ranch	2921'06"N, 9551'38"W, 75 feet	Fort Bend	Old Rocketeers	2nd Sunday	Needville	N/A	G	None	David Montgomery
Valley View	3326'41" N, 9712'35" W, 790 feet	Cooke	DARS	Varies	Sanger	N/A	G	None	Jack Sprague
Windom	3333'15"N,9558'51"W, 668 feet	Fannin	DARS	4th Saturday	Windom	17,000 AGL	M	$15 HPR, $5 MR	Jack Sprague

NARAM 54

SMASH is hosting NARAM-54 from July 28 - August 3rd in Muskegon, MI, on an 11,000 acre (~17 sq mile!) near the waste water treatment plant. Pam Gilmore will be the CD. Hotel is the Holiday Inn in Muskegon Harbor.

Events:
R&D - Research and Development
G ELA altimeter (C/T) - G Egg Loft Altitude w/altimeter (C and Team Divisions)
D ELA altimeter (a/b) - D Egg Loft Altitude w/altimeter (A & B Divisions)
Classic Model - <1990
Sport Scale
A HD - A Helicopter Duration
B BG - B Boost Glider Duration - The motor separates from the glider
C SD MR - C Streamer Duration, Multi-round
A SRD - A Super-Roc Duration, 75 cm to 150 cm (30" to 60") long rockets
A PD MR - A Parachute Duration, Multi-round
Set Dur 50 seconds - Any rocket, any motor and any safe recovery
Open Spot Landing - Any rocket, any motor and and safe recovery

Special events include a Mercury Atlas launch to commemorate the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's flight and HPR events TBD.

AARG High Power Launch at Hutto, TX
9:00am till 3:00pm or until interest wanes.

Directions to the field are here: http://www.AustinRockets.org/directions/index.html

We could always use more hands to help set up and tear down. Usually it takes 30 min to do both.
WAIVER: 13,000 ft AGL MAX, THIS IS A "N" IMPULSE FIELD. If you are planning on using a L3 motor prior notification is required at least 24 hours prior to the launch. Please send all notifications to the club Prefect and VP.
RANGE FEES FOR THE DAY: $10.00, DISCOUNTED FEES: AARG MEMBER $7.00; AARG MEMBER PERFORMING RANGE DUTY $5.00, FAMILY RATE: Children fly free with paying Parent/Guardian.
EDUCATIONAL GROUP RATE: If you have an educational group activity for participation at the launch, for special consideration please contact Joshua Bacak at least 72 hours prior to Saturday

SPECIAL NOTE FOR CHILDREN: ************
We wish to emphasize safety on the range and we are particularly concerned about the safety of the children that we welcome and enjoy at our launches. Children enjoy model rocketry and often are very excitable, particularly when endeavoring to chase their rocket after it has landed.

Parents and Guardians should pay special attention to their youngster and be mindful that often the range is still active after the launch of any particular project from the pads. Please remind your young ones to wait at the flight line until the LCO, Parent/Guardian (or other mindful adult) indicates that it is safe to leave the flight line (for any reason).

While the pads are active and flights are occurring, participants and spectators need to pay attention to any flights that are occurring, and rockets that are coming back to earth. Participants should be at the flight line and observing the pads as launches are being performed.

Children are very interested in the little buttons at the Launch Control table. If your child is inclined to permeate informal/social barriers, please be mindful that the operations area of the Field is responsible for range safety and is NOT a play area.

Special attention should be paid to the attire of your children, as they are particularly vulnerable to unprotected feet and legs, and the heat (less surface area per body mass is less efficient in cooling the body). "Crocs" are NOT recommended. Children treat rocketry as a track and field event!

Old Rocketeers Model Rocket Launch @ Roberts Ranch in Needville, Tx
16703 Hubenak Road,Needville, TX 77461

Keep an eye out for any approaching precipitation in the area that may affect the go/no go status of the launch. The ground is relatively flat with short grass, very few trees in the vicinity." For more info contact David Montgomery

DARS Model Rocket Launch @ Frisco, TX

The launch site is located on a Frisco Parks Department field located north of the city. All launches are conducted with permission from the City of Frisco Parks Department and are subject to the rules and restrictions listed below:
1. The site is limited to model and mid power rocket flights only with total impulse not to exceed "G".
2. Rocket weight must not exceed 3.3 pounds.
3. Rockets can be flown only as part of a sanctioned DARS Launch or Outreach Activity.
4. NAR Model Rocket Safety Code rules will be in effect at all launches held at this site.
Launches will be free of charge to all fliers and open to any member of the general public who is willing to abide by all rules and regulations required by both the City of Frisco Parks Department and NAR.

HOTROC Independent High Power Launch @ Asa, Texas

The field is great. 24,000 ft waiver. Launch Fees: HPR adults - $10 one day per family, HPR adults - $15 two days per family, Low Power adults - $7.50, Low Power - FREE for kids, Observers - FREE.
HOTROC hosts independent high power launches at a very large field Asa (near Waco) Texas during the winter months.
HOTROC Launch Schedule , Info about Asa Launch site , Commercial Flight Card , Research Flight Card , Liability Waiver
Charles Barnett, pres HOTROC

NHRC Launch at JSC

We fly on the first, third and fifth Saturday of each month at the Johnson Space Center. It has an approximately 1.25 square mile wide open field with only a few trees. It's a great place to fly! Access is granted via presentation of a NHRC gate pass at the Saturn Ln. guard house. After entering the gate, drive past the mighty Saturn 5 and turn left into the driveway immediately after the first building (this is building 14 and is approximately 1/4 mile from the guard house). Follow the driveway around to the back of the building and continue onto the driveway as it continues out into the field. Two groups fly in the field, R.C. airplanes and rockets. The R.C.ers ask that we drive to the left behind their flight prep area and avoid the concrete part of the road which they use for a runway. To get a gate pass you must be a member of NHRC. Our yearly dues are $15 for individuals or $20 for Families.
To join the club, just print out this APPLICATION and mail with a check made out to the address on the application.
Here is a Map to the JSC Launch Site.
See "http://nasahoustonrocketclub.org" and "http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NHRC-General" for details ...

Tripoli Houston #002
Saturday Commercial
IF held Sunday Research
Tripoli Rocketry Association sanctioned – fully insured

Hearne Municipal Airport, Hearne TX.
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Waiver: 12,500 feet, with call- in to 16,000 feet.
Map: http://www.tinyurl.com/bagtj

Launch Status: Always check the Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tripoli-Houston/ on Friday before the launch to verify the launch status. You should join the mailing list to get any updates emailed to you directly.

General Information

Tripoli Houston will have launch equipment on hand to support any flight from model rocket to High Power. We will be setting up low-power pads, H&I pads and J & K pads. The "L" and "M" pads will not be set up, unless requested. If you are flying a rocket with a motor in the L or M class please request the equipment ahead of time, or be willing to set it up prior to your launch. Send all special requests to the launch director. We always welcome help with set up, tear down and everything in between at our launches, so please pitch in.

Quick Weather Check: http://www.tinyurl.com/8tyfx

Things to bring: Shade/shelter, sunscreen, water, hat, light color cotton clothing, long sleeves and pants, hiking boots, cell phone. Please leave your cell phone number with the LCO if you head into the wilderness chasing rockets. This is a safety issue

About the field
1) Camping is allowed, tents or RV.
2) Public restrooms are within walking distance.
3) Dump and fresh water utilities are available for RV campers.
4) There are motels and restaurants in town.

Vendors Possible
CLE Enterprises: Chad 281-914-6120; ce96354@yahoo.com
QuickBurst: Dave 979-373-6601; info@quickburst.net

Tripoli Launch Requirements
If you are planning to fly with us, please review the Tripoli High Power Safety Code: http://www.tripoli.org/Launches/Safety/HighPowerSafetyCode/tabid/185/Default.aspx
If you are planning on a research flight please review the Tripoli Research Safety Code: http://www.tripoli.org/Launches/ResearchLaunchInfoForms/tabid/86/Default.aspx
If you are planning a TRA or NAR cert flight, make arrangements with NAR or TRA folks in advance.
Launch Director Contact Information: Brad Winbigler 832-642-6435

The Competition Consortium
NAR CONTEST INFORMATION, TIPS, AND NATIONAL RECORD ANALYSIS

Please send updates and corrections to rocket877@aol.com