Launches

This page was last updated on August 18, 2017
NOTE: It's getting harder and harder to find and keep good rocket fields in Texas. If anyone knows of a field that could be used for rocket club launches, please contact me directly at rocket877@aol.com with the location and owner's name and contact info. Even a field that is available only once a year or during a particular season can be useful. I'll do a primarily evaluation, contact the owner about access and pass on the info to the appropriate club officers.
Texas Rocket Launch Sites - Texas Burn Ban Map , NAR Launch Calendar

Texas Rocket Launches scheduled in the near future - see below for typical club launch windows
August 2017	Alamo Rocketeers Monthly Model Rocket Launch will not be held this month because it's too HOT!
Postponed until August 26, 2017	Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) Model Rocket Launch at Gunter - 9 AM to 3 PM - Weather
September 2, 2017	Austin Area Rocketry Group (AARG) Tripoli Research Launch at Hutto - 8 AM to 2 PM - Weather
September 2, 2017	NASA/Houston Rocket Club (NHRC) Model Rocket Launch at JSC - Weather
September 3, 2017	Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) Model Rocket Launch at Arlington - 8 AM to Noon - Weather
September 16, 2017	Wilson County Mini Maker Faire in at the Lauro G. Deleon Floresville Event Center at 600 State Highway 97 W, Floresville, Texas 7 AM to 4 PM This event showcases products like handicrafts, craft, magazines, electronics, printing, to that of technological products and services associated with this field etc. in the Gifts & Handicrafts industry. The Alamo Rocketeers will have a booth at this event. Club member can sign up as GOING to work our booth (with free admission) on Facebook.
September 16, 2017	Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) Fall Classic XI Mostly Military Models (MMM) Contest and Sport Launch at Gunter, Tx - 10 AM to 4 PM - Weather
September 23, 2017	Alamo Rocketeers Monthly Model Rocket Launch at the Kitty Hawk Flying Field in Garden Ridge - 8 AM to Noon - Weather Our family-friendly rocket launches are open to everyone. The weather is expected to be warm so bring plenty of water, good shoes, a folding chair and some shade (if you have it). Sign up on Facebook is your are coming to this rocket launch. Members please sign up for range duty on Facebook here.
	Texas Rocket Club Launch Windows (Check Club websites for details)
1st Saturday	Austin Area Rocket Group at Hutto Tripoli Research launch (winter) or Apache Pass (summer)
1st Saturday	NASA/Houston Rocket Club at JSC - NAR High Power
2nd Saturday	South Texas Aerospace Club at Beeville Municipal Airport - NAR High power
2nd Saturday	Tripoli Houston Rocket Club at Hearne Municipal Airport - Tripoli Research
3rd weekend	Alamo Rocketeers at the Kitty Hawk Flying Field - NAR Model Rockets , alternating 3rd Saturdays and Sundays - See schedule above
3rd Saturday	Boots & Chutes at Hutto, Texas - NAR Model rockets - 10:30 PM - 1:30 PM
3rd Saturday	NASA/Houston Rocket Club at JSC - NAR High Power - September through May

National Events

September 1 to 4, 2017	AIRFest 23 hosted by Kloudbusters (Tripoli #34) in Argonia, Kansas
September 22, 23 & 24, 2017	Balls 26 hosted by Tripoli Gerlach
May 16-20, 2018	Tripoli Central California will host LDRS 37
September 2018	Thunda 2 Down Under 2018 - YouTube Video

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. Some restrictions may apply based on field size and other considerations. Model Rocket launches are governed by the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code
Class 2, High Power Rockets, Tripoli Commercial	Rockets may be larger than 3.3 pounds total weight. 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. Most clubs allow model rockets to be flown at their high power launches but is best to check with club officers before showing up. These launches are governed by either the NAR High Power Rocket Safety Code or the Tripoli Code for High Power Rocketry.
Tripoli Research	Hosted by Tripoli Rocket Association prefectures only. All fliers must be current TRA or NAR members and TRA High Power Rocketry Certified Level 2 or higher to fly research (home-made) motors. Commercially manufactured motors may be used, consistent with the certification level of the individual. Maxiumum altitude and impulse are determined by the FAA waiver and field conditions. Some clubs allow invited guests and spectators but it is best to check with club officers before showing up. These launches are governed by the Tripoli Research Safety Code
Independent, Outlaw or Wildcat 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 individuals attending the launch may be asked to sign a liability waiver.
NAR Meet or Contest	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 NAR sections. Regular or sport (non-competition) flying is usually allowed at NAR meets.
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
Model Rocket with benefits	Primarily a model rocket launch, however a FAA waiver will be in effect and high power certification and well-behaved HPR flights are welcome as long as they don't get in the way of the other flights.

Texas Amateur Rocket Launch Sites - Burn Ban Map
Note: Most of the fields listed below are on private property. Permission to fly at these fields is given only to the clubs listed. No individual should attempt to launch rockets at these fields without first consulting with the club contact.

Name of the field	Location as Longitude, Latitude (NOT GPS) + Elevation.	County	Club Website	Normal Launch Window	Current Weather	FAA Waiver (if applicable)	Impulse Limit	Range Fees	Contact
Apache Pass Airport	3040'47"N, 9708'33"W, 402'	Milam	AARG	1st Saturday	Rockdale	10,000/14,000	N	$10 Adults /$7 Members/$5 Range	Jim Jarvis
Arlington	3246'50"N, 9707'25"W, 531'	Tarrant	DARS	3rd Saturday	Arlington	N/A	D	?	Jack Sprague
Beeville Municipal Airport	2821'40"N,9747'29"W, 272'	Bee	STAC THCT#089	2nd Saturday	Beeville	15K with call-ins to 24.5K	M	None	Bill Yates Art Applewhite
Bertram	3045'8"N,-9804'43"'W, 1265'	Burnet	AARG	1st Saturday, April-August	Bertram	5K feet	J	Members $7 Others $10	Jim Jarvis
Boots n' Chutes	3037'29"N,-9732'44"W, 612'	Williamson	Boots n' Chutes	3rd Saturday 10:30AM to 1:30PM	Hutto	N/A	D	$1 Members $2 Non-members	Donna Johnson
Cal Farley's Boys Ranch	3531'53"N,-10215'15W, 3190'	Oldham	POTROCS	Varies	Tascosa	18K feet	Unknown	$5 members $7 Non-members	Barre Wheatley
Center Point	2954'36"N,9903'10"W,1558'	Kerr	Alamo Rocketeers THCT#089	Varies	Center Point	5K feet	J	None	Art Applewhite
Corsicana	3205'45.0"N,9616'18.0"W, 362'	Navaro	DARS	Varies	Corsicana	9250 feet AGL	M	Modroc $5 HP $10 members $20 non-member	Chuck Crabb
Gunter	3325'10"N, 9648'50"W, 649'	Grayson	DARS	Varies	Gunter	1 mile AGL	J	Members HP $10 Non-mem HP $20 Adult Modroc $5	Jack Sprague
Hearne Municipal Airport	3051'39"N,9637'16"W, 285'	Robertson	TH#002	2nd Saturday Commercial	Hearne	12.5K feet call-ins to16k feet	M	$5/day MR $10/day HPR	Andy Burger
Hutto	3036'49" N,-9729'51"W, 650'	Williamson	AARG	1st Saturday, September-March	Hutto	10,000' AGL	N	Members $7 Others $10	Jim Jarvis
Johnson Space Center (JSC)	2933'30"N,-9505'51"W, 16'	Harris	NHRC	1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday	Houston	2K feet	H	NHRC membership required	Warren Benson
Kitty Hawk Flying Field	2937'25"N,-9816'15"W, 735'	Comal	Alamo Rocketeers	Varies	Garden Ridge	N/A	G	$1 Donation to Field Manager	Art Applewhite
Prairie Hill	31.635857,-96.787907, 565'	Limestone	DARS	Varies	Prairie Hill	2.5K feet	K	???	Jack Sprague
Roberts Ranch	2921'06"N,-9551'38"W, 75'	Fort Bend	Old Rocketeers	4th Sunday	Needville	N/A	G	None	David Montgomery
Texas Double T Ranch	3012'28"N,-9711'36"W,523'	Bastrop	CenTAR, Alamo Rocketeers	Varies	Paige	17.5k feet	K	Free	O.Lee James Art Applewhite

The Competition Consortium

NAR CONTEST INFORMATION, TIPS, AND NATIONAL RECORD ANALYSIS

Please send updates and corrections to rocket877@aol.com