February Freeze

Saturday February 6th, 2021

Launch Summary

Scheduled event - 2021 and NCR is looking up!  We are GO for launch on Saturday, February 6th from the Atlas Site, subject to normal precautions.  Let’s hope Mother Nature cooperates.  The current weather predictions appear cold but favorable for flying rockets.  Expecting partly cloudy skies, winds decreasing but with gusts up to 16 mph, and maybe the temperatures will reach into the thirties.  The waiver and range should be open by 10 AM and last until 3 PM or until we run out of motors, lose interest or the wind and cold chases us away, whichever happens first.  All flights must remain under the 12,000’ AGL ceiling.

Basic COVID hygiene protocols are in effect for NCR launches: if you have a fever or if you feel sick, stay home; try to keep at least 6' or more between your prep area and the next person; wear a mask when bringing rockets for RSO/pad assignment.  An orientation briefing for participants will be held and will include a discussion of safety and emergency procedures, fire conditions and instruction, applicable rules and regulations, and what is expected of participants with respect to the use of NFS lands under our special use permit.

Please note that all launch events will be conducted using nationally approved/accepted range safety practices.  The launching of rockets on NFS land is normally prohibited under Forest Service regulations. The issuance of our permit allows launches to take place for approved launch events only.

As always, volunteers are appreciated and needed to help with range set up, operation and clean up. Hope to see you out on the range.

11 different fliers braved the chill and put up 24 flights total (19 Class One and 5 Class Two) including two NAR L1 Certs - Charlie Everitt and Phillip Kelly welcome to High Power.  Scott Dukes shot up his "I Boy" in a Tripoli Handicapped I Record attempt -pretty sure he smashed it with 6355', and it probably could have been higher except for the slight weather cocking into the wind aloft.  Absolutely great to see so many folks join us for our first launch of the year, even if they didn't fly anything.   And there's already a race to see who gets the most flights in this year - Carl Hoag and Jeff Sayler off and running.....

Weather Conditions

Forecast changed more often then a runway model doesat a Paris fashion show.  Kept slightly improving for us to believe it would be okay.  It's Colorado in February.  Sometimes it works out great.  Winds were about 12 mph when we started setting up the range.  Predicted shifts in wind directions led us to hope we were in for the between calms but that never materialized properly.  Stayed cold and went from partly sunny to partly cloudy.  The winds did deminish substantially but it never warmed up as predicted.  I'd be very surprized if it ever got above freezing.