We have had the same altitude waiver, "up" to 17,000', at both Higgs and the Sod Farm for well over 15 years. Depending on the conditions when the waiver is called in, the FAA can make the call based on the cloud cover. At the Sod Farm we may restrict the altitudes even more depending on the conditions and the wind direction. We have lots of experience with the trees and the neighbors around the Sod Farm, so what ever decision we make it is the interest of the land owner first, the neighbors second, the club third and the flier last. Without the first two we don't have the third and there will be no opportunity for the fourth.
There is no one project so important that we are willing to loose the field for one flight. A 10,000' flight at the Sod Farm is guaranteed not to end well, even with a perfect recovery. I have been as high as 9,500' there and the rocket was recovered over a mile away....without a drogue in almost windless conditions......it was a total PITA to recover and I will never go over 3,000' there again.......think thrust to weight.....you can fly bigger motors without going to the moon........
Not to mention the dozens of rockets that end up in the trees....which can cost you as much as $300.00 to get back, as only an insured tree climber is allowed into the neighbors trees at both Higgs and the Sod Farm. As others have mentioned watch the weather and plan your Sod Farm fights accordingly. Be ready to adapt to the conditions at the field and you will go home with all your rockets and be a happy camper.
Neil
:flyingpig:
