Electronics
Rocketry has experienced a revolution in technology now available to the common hobbyist.
There are a variety of vendors that now provide electronic payload packages to record flight characteristics, altitude, speed, acceleration, and more.
Altimeters can (and usually do) include capabilities to control apogee and main parachute deployment events with black powder charges.
In addition, GPS and Radio tracking systems are also available.
RRC3
Timer
Easy Mini
Oktoberfest 2021
We are GO for Oktoberfest!
The US Forest Service says we may proceed as planned/scheduled, with the usual precautions and extra vigilance for fire risks and hazards.We have been given the YELLOW LIGHT – PROCEED WITH CAUTION from the US Forest Service for OKTOBERFEST (October 1st, 2nd and 3rd) on the Pawnee National Grassland at NCR’s North Site. An important reminder – the Fire Risk remains high – extra vigilance will be expected. Currently, there are no fire restrictions in place in Weld County or on the Pawnee NG, which is subject to change, so everyone will need to be very careful and implement extra precautions.
The prairie remains fragile and combustible – NO SPARKIES ALLOWED. In the event of any fire on the range, all launch activities will cease until the fires are completely extinguished and it is determined if it is safe for us to continue.On-site registration will be available.
Friday October 1st and Saturday October 2nd.
Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with arrangements for “windows of opportunity” to be coordinated. If you will need a higher altitude “window” during the weekend, please advise me ASAP.Remember Range Etiquette. If you find a gate closed, close it behind you. Stay on the authorized roads (Foot recovery only) and please don’t park more than 100’ off the road at the launch site. Be prepared for changing weather conditions. Afternoon thundershowers should be expected.We anticipate having the range set up and ready by 9 AM on Friday, and we’ll operate until 5 PM.
On Saturday the range and waiver will be open at 8 AM and close at 5 PM.
On Sunday, the range will open at 8 AM and probably close by 3 PM.
ALL flyers will need to be registered. Wristbands will be required for ALL flyers.
High power flyers must be current NAR or Tripoli members.
Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest. Enjoy Oktoberfest responsibly.
The Pawnee National Grassland offers the ultimate in rustic, open space camping although for this event we will have Porta-Potties on site. Self sufficient camping is permitted on site. NO Campfires allowed. The nearest motels are in Wellington, CO, Cheyenne, WY, and Ft. Collins, CO.
Please treat our National Grassland with respect. As is typical with camping in most public areas, we are required to remove all of our trash. Be considerate and responsible. If you bring it, be prepared to leave with it.
Please clean up your parking and prep area before you leave and take all of your stuff with you.NCR is an Authorized Permitee of the Pawnee National Grassland. A morning 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 regards 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 a Forest Service Region 2 fire regulation.
The issuance of NCR’s permit allows launches to take place by exempting the Holder from that regulation for approved launch events only. All launches, other than those conducted by the Holder during approved launch events, are outside the scope of this permit and are prohibited by Forest Service regulations.As always, volunteers are needed to help with range set up, operation and clean up. Hope to see you out on the range.
BALLS LAUNCH SITE DIRECTIONS
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NO GO – High Skies July 2021
Members and Friends,
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland are currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions, until rescinded. Please note, this could last throughout the summer. In case you had any doubts or were still wondering, High Skies in July has been cancelled. Despite the recent precipitation, this will be a long, dry summer.
Celebrate the 4th of July responsibly.
Please stay safe everyone.
Jeffrey JOE Hinton
NCR President
2021 MHM Launch
Awesome flying on the Pawnee for Mile High Mayhem this year.
Thanks to George Barnes for all the great photos!
Launch log data coming soon.
2021 Alphabet Contest
Entry Information
$10.00 Entry Fee with $5.00 Re-Entrance Option
Make sure to declare your flight as an “Alphabet Contest” on your flight card prior to launch.
A registration sheet should be available at the LCO desk; contact Brad Morse if the sheet is missing.
Deposit your entry fees with Brad Morse.
Contest Rules
Fly and successfully recover a model rocket, using each motor class in succession: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, …
You may use a different rocket for each flight, or the same rocket for multiple flights as you desire. Each flight must be declared prior to launch as a contest launch, and designated on your flight card.
Disqualification
If you have a failure resulting in damage that prevents a second flight without repair, or you are unable to recover the rocket, then your last successful flight will be recorded as your final flight for the contest.
Re-Entrance
Flyers may re-enter for an additional fee. You will re-join the contest at the motor that you were disqualified at. For example, if your E flight failed, you would continue the contest at an E impulse motor.
Contest Duration
June – October
The Alphabet contest is open from Mile High Mayhem (June 4) thru Oktoberfest (October 3). Contest winners and prize money will be awarded at the end of flight activities on October 3 or at the club annual meeting.
Build Constraints
All rockets must be stable and constructed with materials approved by NAR or Tripoli.
Multiple Stages
Multiple stages may be used to accomplish multiple letters of the alphabet in a single flight. You must recover all stages successfully. Limit up to and including 3-stages.
Contestants must progress through the alphabet contest sequentially.
You cannot skip any letters of the alphabet, flights with multiple motors that are not sequential are allowed, but you can only achieve a single letter in the alphabet contest if your staged-motor configuration is not sequential.
Ignition sequence does not have to be alphabetical. You may fly a staged rocket that has a C as the booster, and a B as the sustainer (assuming you have successfully completed your A impulse flight).
Clusters
The total impulse of the cluster can be substituted for the impulse letter in the alphabet. For example, a cluster of 6 (six) E motors @ 40ns each would have a total impulse of 240ns, which is equivalent to an H motor.
| Impulse | Thrust Range (ns) | |
| 1/4 A | 0 to | 0.625 ns |
| 1/2 A | 0.625 to | 1.25 ns |
| A | 1.25 to | 2.5 ns |
| B | 2.5 to | 5 ns |
| C | 5 to | 10 ns |
| D | 10 to | 20 ns |
| E | 20 to | 40 ns |
| F | 40 to | 80 ns |
| G | 80 to | 160 ns |
| H | 160 to | 320 ns |
| I | 320 to | 640 ns |
| J | 640 to | 1,280 ns |
| K | 1,280 to | 2,560 ns |
| L | 2,560 to | 5,120 ns |
| M | 5,120 to | 10,240 ns |
2021 MHM Overnight Build Contest
This contest will be held during the Mile High Mayhem (June 4, 5 & 6) Weekend Launch ONLY.
Objective
Build and fly a model rocket at the 2021 Mile High Mayhem weekend launch; fly it, and successfully recover.
Contestants will need to buy or bring their own rocket kit and any necessary building supplies.
Rules
Construction can begin after 4:00PM on Friday June 4.
Record a successful flight before 10:00AM Sunday June 6.
Declare your flight as a contest flight prior to launch.
* Open to any NCR club member.
* No build restrictions, bring any additional parts and supplies.
* Flights must be witnessed by another club member.
Entry Information
A registration sheet will be available at the LCO desk; contact Brad Morse if the sheet is missing.
Declare your flight as “Overnight Build” contest on your flight card.
Remember to record your flight’s success or failure.
Build Constraints
The rocket must be stable and constructed with materials approved by NAR or Tripoli, you may also use a kit.
Tie Breakers
- Highest motor impulse
Prizes
The prize is bragging rights.