Category: Archive

Members and Friends,

HAPPY NEW LAUNCH YEAR!!!!  Resolve to launch more rockets in 2018, beginning on January 6th.

We are GO FOR LAUNCH on Saturday, January 6th at the ATLAS SITE.  The current weather forecast calls for clear and cold conditions for flying, starting at 10 AM and lasting until 3 PM or until we run out of motors, lose interest or the cold chases us away, whichever happens first.  This launch opportunity will be for commercially approved motors only and all flights must remain under the 12,000 foot AGL ceiling.

As always, help is greatly appreciated with range set up, operations and clean up.   For those of you driving a long ways to visit our launch, I’d recommend checking in with your favorite weather report or call the Greeley-Weld County Airport’s automated weather line at 970-352-3511.

A Quick reminder:  NCR Membership Business and Swap Meet Meeting will happen, snow or shine, on the 13th of January, 2018, at the VFW Hall in Ault.  PLEASE ATTEND.  The Agenda is full and NCR needs your input.   Doors will open about 11 AM and the meeting will start by 1 PM.   Please RSVP (reply to this email Yea or Nay for a lunch headcount) if you haven’t done so already.  Lunch should be ready at approximately noon.

Back by popular response, this meeting will also provide the opportunity for members and friends to acquire or dispose of unwanted/extra rocketry related items.  Come prepared to barter, buy or sell some real bargains.   NCR will once again host a SWAP MEET.   Got something rocketry related to sell or trade or give away?  Bring it to the meeting.

Hope to see you out on the range.

Members and Friends,

Mixed news from the Forest Service – The prairie has gone from too dry to maybe too wet.   We have been approved to proceed with our scheduled Oktoberfest launch on Saturday and Sunday only, with the usual precautions and respect for the prairie.  Conditions could be very muddy.  Please tread lightly and protect our prairie usage.  An important reminder – in spite of the recent moisture, the Fire Risk remains high – extra vigilance will be expected. The prairie remains fragile and combustible – NO SPARKIES ALLOWED.

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 Saturday and we’ll operate until 6 PM.  On Sunday, the range will open at 8 AM and probably close by 3 PM.   ALL high power flyers must be current NAR or Tripoli members.   Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest.

The Pawnee National Grassland offers the ultimate in rustic, open space camping. Self sufficient camping is permitted on site.  We are, however, limited to only one campfire in the established fire pit at the south end of the flight line.  Firewood is nonexistent on the prairie so contributions are welcome.  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.