Launch site space needed?

[muleParticipant]

Well, I haven’t given up on our current sites quite yet.

Nor have I. The hours that I have spent camping there and looking for rockets have made me appreciate that land in ways that I never expected. I’d love to keep flying rockets there for years. I’m also very grateful for the work that you have done in keeping up the relationships with the authorities so that we can keep flying there. But I can’t help but have my ears perk up when I hear about the possibility of a sympathetic land owner with enough contiguous area for a 50 kft waiver.

From what he said it was common prairie and rolling hills. I sent him an email yesterday, but this is his busy time of the year now – he’s a tax accountant. So, not sure just what the situation out there is.

I can say this, I would rather hit WY for a big event than go east. It’s still closer for those of us in the Westminster to Boulder area.

If I were looking East, I know for sure I can put something together in the NW KS area (Hill City to Plainville – North of Hays). My Dad and his friends have all kinds of access, plus the big landowners I know with monster ranches/farms…. But again, that’s a good 5 hr drive from here and I’m not seeing anyone that would want that.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

For a 100K or even 50K waiver, I’d drive 5 hours… at least as soon as I have a bird finished for that altitude.

W

[AdrianParticipant]

Some of us beer been known to drive a day and a half each way for a waiver like that.

[John A. WilkeParticipant]

I was involved in the migration from the old Tripoli Rocky Mountain site to the current site. The hours, efforts, and issues on changing a site are monumental. The old site was very good – though one problematic relationship with a rancher forced a move.

We probably looked at a dozen proposed sites and only our current site was fractionally as good as the old site.

It is *essential* that we do all we possibly can to make this site work. 20K/35K makes 98% of the country’s flyers insanely jealous. For the day or two a year we need to go above 35K, I’m fine with a trip to Black Rock.

Bottom line, we need to make this site work…

[Jeffrey Joe HintonModerator]

Then it will be absolutely critical that folks are respectful, courteous, professional what have you and listen to Jon Halverson explain the process of our permit application woes and Please don’t shoot the messenger protocol has to be followed. The folks that work for the USFS put their pants on one leg at a time, just like most folks, and deserve the opportunity to heard. Poignant questions certainly are encouraged but let’s be nice about it. I still very firmly believe we have been chasing this permit the correct way and that ultimately, NCR will be allowed to resume operations and continue our stewardship of the prairie launch sites and loft the small and large hobby rockets we love to see fly.

BTW – remember what was once said about climbing mountains. To reach the peak of any great mountain takes perseverance, courage and a willingness to take the extra steps necessary to recover from slips and stumbles and falls. Actually, I guess I said that. What I was trying to explain is that to climb a mountain, you have to go to the mountain. To fly a rocket, you have to go to the rocket range. Anyway…

[muleParticipant]

I agree completely.

It sounds like a major pain.
I want to make it clear though. I was not and am not suggesting we change. I was thinking out loud since I have access to some people that MAY be able to help in the event a change had to take place. OR as an addition to what we have now for a once or twice a year big launch. I’m still going to talk to people and see what is available. I’m waiting for some emails and calls back right now. Next trip to KS I will talk to our main landowner and see what he says.

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Staying where we are is really the only viable option. What I’m mostly concerned about is whether decisions were made by management up in the stratosphere above the folks we deal with. As Joe said, lets hear what they have to say.

I’m also going to ask Joe to keep a firm hand on the meeting to keep folks from freaking out REGARDLESS of what they say. Even if we have a problem with our site or our permit, we need USFS for essentially any viable site within reasonable driving range of the Front Range.

Warren

[muleParticipant]

Have we ever been in monthly meetings with them as a user group?

I spent a couple of years with the Boulder Ranger District in their land use meetings. I was one of about 6 people from ATV to four wheeling groups. It helped in keeping up with personnel changes, volunteer needs and planning. It also, shows them we are serious about our hobby and our relationship with them. Part of what we did was to write user grant requests and organize volunteer work groups. They are always short on cash and people. If they have a need and we help, we get special considerations in most cases.

That being said, I don’t know if anyone has done this, so please don’t take it as me assuming nothing has been done. OK??????? Don’t make me say NIT and ask for a shrubbery…. (Monty Python if you don’t understand that)

[Greg RappParticipant]

I believe you meant to say “NI”, not “NIT”? 😉

Unfortunately I won’t be at the meeting tomorrow but I’ll be eager to here what transpires. Joe and Warren are right – this is a great site and we should do everything in our power to keep (regain?) access to it. I know you guys will be nice to the USFS folks – hopefully they’ll be nice back!

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

Looks like from the official Federal record, our permit has been approved. While it’s always nice to have options, I don’t think we need have any worries about our existing sites.

Warren

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