Launches

This page was last updated on July 3, 2009 at 13:28
Texas Launch Sites - Texas Burn Ban Map
Model Rockets and Large Model Rockets are Class 1, High Power Rockets are Class 2.

July 2 - 6, 2009	LDRS @ Potter, NY
July 4, 2009	NHRC @ JSC
July 11, 2009	Alamo Rocketeers Class 1 Launch @ China Grove
July 11, 2009	DARS Business Meeting @ Gladys Harrington Library
July 11, 2009	Challenger 498 Monthly Club Launch @ Roberts Ranch in Needville
July 11, 2009	TH2 @ Hearne
July 18, 2009	DARSTAR TNG Episode 2.0 (NAR regional meet) @ Frisco
July 18, 2009	AARG @ Bertram
July 18, 2009	NHRC @ JSC
August 15 & 16, 2009	POTROCS Fun Fly @ Wayside, Tx

General 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 flier 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 only by TRA clubs. All fliers must be current TRA members and TRA High Power Rocketry Certified Level 2 or higher to fly research motors. Commercially manufactured, may be used, consistent with the certification level of the individual flier. Class 2, Maxiumum altidude 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.
Freedom Launch	Family friendly, children of all ages are welcome. NO club affiliation or certifications needed. All rockets and motors appropriate to the field conditions and FAA waiver are acceptable. Both commercially manufactured and homemade motors are welcome. All flights must be approved by the Range Safety Officer (RSO). These launches are uninsured and each individual attending the launch will be asked to 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.

Texas Amateur Rocket Launch Sites - Burn Ban Map

Name	Longitude, Latitude and Elevation	County	Club	Current Weather	FAA Waiver	Impulse Limit	Range Fees (may vary)	Contact
Asa	3125'51" N, 9702'18" W, 372 feet	McLennan	HOTROC	Waco	11,000/24,999	N	MR:$7.50/day HPR:$10/day	Charles Barnett
Bertram	3046.048' N, 984.713'W, 1265 feet	Burnet	AARG	Bertram	5280 feet	J	Class 1 $7, Class 2 $10	Jeff Short
Bob Woodruff Park	3301'29"N, 9639'31"W, 530 feet	Collin	DARS	Plano	Model Rocket	D	None	Don Magness
Center Point	2956'28"N, 9902'32"W, 1516 feet	Kerr	ART	Center Point	Model Rockets	G	None	Art Applewhite
China Grove	2923'03"N,9820'19"W, 634 feet	Bexar	Alamo Rocketeers	China Grove	Class 1	G	None	John Lee
Frisco	3311'13"N, 9646'30"W, 776 feet	Collin	DARS	Frisco	Model Rockets	G	None	Don Magness
Granger Lake	3039'22N, 9722'23"W, 568 feet	Williamson	AARG	Granger	6000	J	$5	Mark Willet
Girvin	3100'31"N, 10216'16"W, 2310 feet	Pecos	WTR	Girvin	21,500' AGL	N	$5/day for members $10/day for non-members	Jim Ballard
Hearne Municipal Airport	3051'38"N, 9637'18"W, 271 feet	Robertson	TH2	Hearne	12,500/15,000	M	$$$$$$	David Bachelder
Hutto	3036' 49" N, 9729' 51" W, 650 feet	Williamson	AARG	Hutto	4000/15,000	M	$7-G&below, $10-H&above	Stu Barrett
Johnson Space Center	2933'30"N, 9505'51"W, 16 feet	Harris	NHRC	Houston	Class 1	G	NHRC membership required	Andy Eng
Meek Ranch	3011'38"N, 9900'24"W, 1788 feet	Gillespie	ART	Kerrville	5000/8000	J	None	Art Applewhite
Roberts Ranch	2921'06"N, 9551'38"W, 75 feet	Fort Bend	Challenger 498	Needville	7000	I	None	David Montgomery
Wayside	3447'44"N, 10135'40"W, 3430 feet	Armstrong	Potrocs	Wayside	25,000/50,000	N	$$$$$	Pat Gordzelik

Amateur Rocketeers of Texas Freedom Launch @ The Meek Ranch
from 10 AM to 2 PM

This is a Family Friendly, Model Rocket, Large Model Rocket and High Power Rocket launch. The FAA waiver is 5,000 feet with call-ins to 8,000 feet. All Commercial and Homemade rocket motors up to J impulse may be flown. No certifications or club affiliations are required. There are NO launch fees. This is NOT a NAR or TRA launch so leave all their RED TAPE at home. We have our own RED TAPE but it has nothing to do with rockets. All participants, including spectators, will be required to sign a Liability Waiver and follow the ARSA Safety Code . Flight cards will be used for all flights. If you're not willing to take responsibility for your own actions and accept the risks involved with amateur rocketry then don't come to this launch. We will have 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4" launch rods, 1" x 6 foot standard launch rail, and 4 position, 12 volt launch controller. Some hybrid GSE may be available. Contact Art Applewhite (830)896-6331 if you need any specialized launch equipment. The field is a large cow pasture with no comfort facilities within 10 miles, so plan accordingly. This launch is NOT sanctioned by NAR or TRA and their HPR certifications will have no bearing on impulse limit for individual fliers. The RSO will be the sole authority on who flies what at this launch and safety will be the primary consideration. If you have any questions about this, call me at (830)896-6331 and I will be happy to explain this policy in detail. For up-to-the-minute info about this launch and club events join the AmRocTex Yahoo Group

will have Road Runner and Estes single use motors at reasonable prices. If you want a rocket kit at a 50% discount or you need a rocket motor bigger than G impulse email me at rocket877@aol.com before the launch.

Alamo Rocketeers Model Rocket Launch @ China Grove, TX
from 10 AM until 2 PM

This is a model rocket launch hosted under the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code. You don't have to be a club member to attend and participate and children are welcome. The launch will be held in the Fireworks Safe Area just off Highway 87 East in China Grove. There will be a prize awarded for the most successful flights during the launch. For more information contact John Lee (210)844-5600, john@jal3.net or Art Applewhite (830)896-6331, rocket877@aol.com, or join the Alamo Rocketeer Yahoo discussion group.
All are invited to Bubba's afterwards for lunch and to unwind. Bring friends. Bring rockets. Bring motors and let's launch.

Challenger498 High Power Launch @ Roberts Ranch in Needville, Tx

16703 Hubenak Road,Needville, TX 77461

The time frame we can hold the launch is 10 AM - 3 PM or whenever interest diminishes. Of course, we'll keep an eye out for any approaching precipitation in the area that may affect the go/no go status of these launch dates. I'll call the FAA waiver before each launch date (7,000 feet altitude with one mile radius). The ground is relatively flat with short grass, very few trees in the vicinity, and I think the location is capable of flying up to I or J motors (but that's yet to be determined). But for launching model rockets and conducting NAR Sanctioned contests, I don't see how any model should get lost at this location. David Montgomery NAR # 21853 SR., Team # 040, Challenger 498 Section NAR adviser

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 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 Model Rocket 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://nhrc.homestead.com" and "http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NHRC-General" for details ...

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

Please send updates and corrections to rocket877@aol.com