Non-club Sponsored Launches at North Site?

[John]

Hi All,

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere on the Forum, I did look but didn’t see anything. I am wondering if it is acceptable to use the North site for casual weekend launches not sponsored by the club? The hobby shops recommend calling the local fire dept. or police to ask for launch locations but I’d rather not draw unnecessary attention to it. I’m just looking to launch LPR (A-G). If not at the North Site where would you all recommend? I am closest to Loveland if there is any place closer to there I’m all for it.

Thanks,

John.

[John]

OK, I see there have been several views but no replies so I’ll clarify a bit. I have several friends who are into low power launching (non-NCR, non-NAR, non-TRA) as a casual hobby and they have been gathering at a field near a school in Fort Collins. This seems like a recipe for disaster to me in today’s post 9/11 environment and I am hoping there is someplace I can convince them to go where it will be safe. Now that I’ve gone legit I hesitate to fly there with them. Again closer to Loveland or Fort Collins would be best but if the answer is club launches only I’ll work on them.

Thanks,

John

[Jeffrey Joe HintonModerator]

Well, it is public land but I’d hate for someone to tarnish our relationships with the NAR, Tripoli, the USFS, the BAFTE and the FAA. There are rules and regulations that come into play when flying rockets and I would encourage anyone launching to do so at a club sponsored event.

[SCOTT EVANS]

Well, it is public land but I’d hate for someone to tarnish our relationships with the NAR, Tripoli, the USFS, the BAFTE and the FAA. There are rules and regulations that come into play when flying rockets and I would encourage anyone launching to do so at a club sponsored event.

I think that is best out there.

[edwardModerator]

I agree as well that I’d hate to have something happen out there and possibly lose the launch site. That would really suck!

Edward

[John]

Totally understand, thanks all. I won’t jeopardize the club sites. Can you offer some opinions on the launching of A-G motored rockets in and near town then? Am I being too paranoid? I grew up launching on school football fields and it was never a problem but somehow it doesn’t feel right anymore. This particular site isn’t actually on school property but adjacent to it in an open field. Just looking for general suggestions I realize nobody wants to take responsibility for non-club launches. The Handbook of Model Rocketry is pretty vague and actually still (7th Edition) recommends school football fields. I just want to keep it as clean and unobtrusive as possible and encourage my buddies to do the same. BTW these guys are all adult, working professionals.

Thanks,

John

[RocketwhizParticipant]

When I was teaching a rocketry class for Civil Air Patrol we always had good luck just asking a local farmer for permission. This time a year is good the wheat harvest is over, lots of clear fields. I’m sure you can find something fairly close to town.

Mark

[RocketwhizParticipant]

One suggestion take a fire extinguisher. Fire is usually their biggest concern.

Mark

[edwardModerator]

It also doesn’t hurt to contact the local fire department. Most of them are very cool about it and I’ve even had some attend things I’ve done. Most firefighters I know are just a tiny bit away from a pyromanic 🙂

Edward

[Jeffrey Joe HintonModerator]

Can’t say for sure what the laws are in the Fort Collins area but in Boulder County flying even model rockets is considered against the law although typically the AHJ’s look the other way when flying on the large athletic fields of the school district. DO NOT fly from designated Open Space property as the fine/tickets are very expensive, even if you’ve brought along fire suppression. At least, that’s true here in the bubble of prairie dog kingdom and granola consciousness.

[Author]

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