General

High Skies in July

June 26, 2018 June 26, 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"0

High Skies in July 2018 has received the green light from the US Forest Service for the coming weekend of July 6th, 7th, and 8th on the Pawnee National Grassland at NCR’s North Site. Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with “windows of opportunity” for higher altitudes shots on Saturday and Sunday. We anticipate having the range set up and ready by 9 AM on Friday, and we’ll operate until 6 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, the range and waiver will be open at 8 AM. The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with characteristically light winds and comfortable to hot temperatures, and probable afternoon thundershowers. Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest.

No fire restrictions are currently in place in Weld County or on the Pawnee NG, but that is subject to change and a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch would preclude launch activities. The prairie remains green but is starting to crisp up due to recent winds and hot weather. NO “sparky” motor types allowed.

Remember Range Etiquette. If you find a gate closed, close it behind you. Please stay on the authorized roads and please don’t park more than 100’ off the road at the flight line. Take as little space as necessary for your campsite. Foot Recovery only.

The Pawnee National Grassland offers the ultimate in rustic, open space camping although for this event we should have a Port-a-Potty on site. 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. 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.

Hope to see you out on the range.

General, Photos

2018-06 Mile High Mayhem [North Site]

June 3, 2018 May 23, 2019 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Rough calculations have been made, and MAYHEM really did happen. Over the three clear and sun drenched days, a total of somewhere over 60 different fliers put up something like 241 flights (145 Class One, 96 Class Two), including a few L1 Certifications, a Jr. L1 Certification, 6 M powered flights and 2 N powered flights. Huge thanks to Colin Apke , William Bussell and David Pinter for excellent service as LCO’s and Pad Managers and to everyone that helped with set up and the end of an epic weekend cleanup.

I can provide a better break down for each day, starting with Thursday afternoon/evening when we got most of the range set up and ready. Prairie very lush and green – antelope were happy, cattle are happy, cattlemen are happy and mosquitos ecstatic with all the opportunities to drill and fill, or die trying. Friday started slowly, as expected, but 21 different fliers still managed to loft 48 flights (28 Class One, 20 Class Two), including a Level One Certification flight for Rick Sipin and a Jr. L1 Certification for Collin Ruprecht. Flight line grew slowly during the day and kept growing late into the night. Saturday started with another review of safety concerns and operating procedures before we got really busy with 57 different fliers putting up 122 flights (65 Class One, 57 Class Two). Definitely a HIGH POWERED day that kept the skies busy. Had a brief visit from the Colorado State Highway Patrol (2 patrol cars) – Officer Scott Pucket used to be a member that flew with us maybe ten years ago. He was just showing his partner what’s up. Saturday also included Certification Flights and two high altitude flights in arranged “windows” – one hit 26,000′ and change, I’m waiting for info on the other. Saturday night campfire and possibly a beverage too many for some. Sunday morning started slowly – an hour later than planned, and we finished up about 3:30 with 34 different fliers putting up 71 flights (52 Class One and 19 Class Two).

General

MHM 2018

May 29, 2018 May 29, 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"1

We’ve checked with the District Ranger and we are OK to proceed as planned with the scheduled 6/1,2,3 launch, subject to normal precautions.
NCR is GO for Mile High Mayhem the first weekend of June on the Pawnee National Grassland at NCR’s North Site. On-site registration ($20.00) will be available Friday, June 1st, Saturday June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd. Limited edition T-shirts have been printed, vendors have been contacted, raffle prizes collected and Port-A-Potties have been ordered for the weekend. Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with anticipated “windows of opportunity” for higher altitudes shots. Please let me know ASAP if you’re planning any “window” shots. We anticipate having the range set up and ready by 9 AM on Friday, and we’ll operate until 6 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, the range and waiver will be open at 8 AM. Wristbands will be required for ALL flyers and ALL High Power flyers will need to be registered ($20.00). Proof of current NAR or TRA membership is required for high powered flying. The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with characteristically light winds and comfortable temperatures for Spring on the prairie with the probability of afternoon thunder showers. Come prepared for all types of weather. This should be an awesome weekend for flying. Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest. NO “sparky” motor types allowed.

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General, Photos

2018-05 Club Launch [North Site]

May 5, 2018 May 23, 2019 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Launch Photos from Saturday, May 5, 2018

Front Page, General

Saturn V

May 3, 2018 May 19, 2019 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Front Page, How To

Nosecone Altimeter

April 30, 2018 April 30, 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Nosecone Altimeter Bay

NCR 2018 Contest – Buy it, Build it, Fly it

April 28, 2018 May 17, 2019 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Buy it, Build it, Fly it

$0 Entry – Also, the only prize is bragging rights.

Contest will be held during the club’s annual Mayhem (June) launch and Oktoberfest (October).

Rules

Buy, or bring a new rocket kit to build during one of the 3-day weekend launches.

Contestants must construct a rocket and fly it successfully within the 3-days of the launch.

You must declare your flight as a contest flight prior to launch.

Contest is open to any NCR club member.
No build restrictions, you may bring additional parts to the launch.
Flights must be witnessed by another club member.
Record your flight success/failure on your flight card.

General, Photos

2018-04 Club Launch

April 8, 2018 May 20, 2019 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Dubious start Saturday morning. A good three to four inches of moisture on the ground, heavy cloud cover and only about 20 degrees. But incredibly, a fair number of folks believing conditions would improve. Lots of time standing around, reviewing options and discussing a little bit of everything before we started to unload the trailer and get the range set up. By 11:30, we we’re flying high into clear skies and with slightly warmer temps. 20 different flyers launched a total of 40 flights ( 16 Class One, 24 Class Two), including the Team from CSU testing air brakes for their ESRA IREC (Experimental Sounding Rockets Association’s Intercollegiate Rocketry Engineering Competition) Spaceport America Cup launch in June, a Team from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga attempting to set a new I class multi-staged altitude record (great flight but well short of current record), two members seeking High Power Certification flights, John Jamieson’s all time best altitude flight to 14, 334′ and there were even calm enough winds for Vic to launch his RC controlled rocket boosted glider for a marvelous flight and beautifully executed soft landing.

Archive, Launch

April Launch – North Site

April 1, 2018 July 15, 2018 itemprop="discussionURL"0

Spring may have finally arrived on the prairie. Please pay close attention to the weather forecasts. If the weather cooperates, we have a GO for launch on Saturday and Sunday April 7th and 8th from the North Site. Expect the range and waiver (20,000’ AGL) to be operational from 9 AM until 5 PM on Saturday and 9 AM till 3 PM on Sunday. Please advise ASAP if a “window” will be required for any flights.

This launch opportunity is designated a Tripoli Research launch. Note that all NAR members are now welcome to attend Tripoli Research launches; you are no longer required to join TRA to attend and may fly commercial motors (up to your certification level) with proof of current NAR membership. All flyers must be ready to verify current membership status.

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.

NCR 2018 Contest Rules – 12oz Lift

March 25, 2018 May 17, 2019 itemprop="discussionURL"0

12oz Lift

$20 Entry

Contest will be held during the club’s annual MAYHEM launch in June. Contest flights must be complete and recorded by the final day of the launch – at noon on June 3, 2018.

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday June 1st – 3rd

North Site – MAYHEM

Rules

Construct, launch, and successfully recover your rocket carrying a 12oz. payload of your favorite (unopened) beverage.
12oz can must be recovered undamaged to be considered a successful contest flight.
You must declare your flight as a contest flight prior to launch.

Contest is open to any L1, L2, or L3 certified flier under TRA or NAR.
No build dimension restrictions. (Airframe must carry payload of: 1 12oz can of your favorite beverage).
Your rocket must be capable of flying under an I impulse motor or higher.
Flights must be witnessed and timed by a club member.
Record your flight duration on your flight card.
Winner is determined by longest in-air duration from launch, to landing.
1. If your rocket landing time is unknown, your flight will be disqualified
2. Altimiter data, GPS, Radio, and visual tracking are all acceptable means to time your flight’s duration.
Tie breakers:
1. Altitude – Must be reported by electronic altimeter
2. Lightest Rocket Airframe w/o motor or payload.
3. Lowest Motor Class and Thrust.