jpoehlman
Well-Known Member
Wish I could make it today to see Chris' German buddy and discuss Airfest, TARC, etc. alas, not in the cards today. You all enjoy.
Jack
Jack
Night Launch Rules and Regulations
The purpose for holding a night launch:
To Advance the State of the Art in Onboard
NIGHT ILLUMINATION TRACKING EQUIPMENT
FAA requirements: Obtain a full FAA Waiver
FAR-101.1: All daylight flights shall cease at sunset, when the sun falls below the visible horizon.
Reduction of maximum altitude to 2500 feet
Four quadrant aircraft lookouts
All models must be safety inspected during daytime operation, including all engines to be used during night flights. All models must have made a successful daytime flight in full night configuration to be considered for inclusion.
All models must be lighted. Models between 1 lb and 3.3 lbs must have a high-intensity light source such as a strobe or high-output LEDs (minimum 2000 mcd visible at 2000 feet).
Special notification to BWI airport and a separate NOTAM
Club and Operational Requirements
Log all observed aircraft entering airspace during night launch operations.
All attending persons are additional aircraft lookouts. Please keep looking.
Keep noise and talking to a minimum during countdowns. Keep conversations away from the range head.
Cylume chemical light sticks shall be used only on models and/or gliders powered by B motors or less. NO EXCEPTIONS
All lanterns and flashlights are to have red lens filters. See Night-RSO if you need one.
Now that is a Steely Eyed Missile Man of the future.
...
Lastly, what would it take to do a LP/MP night launch? Maybe in the fall/early winter when the days get shorter, and we can run a Gunter launch late.
...
LIKE !
This Saturday (4/15/17) looks like a kite flyin' day. We'll make a go/nogo call later this afternoon.
Is Gunter a go for this weekend? I'd like to dust off a couple rockets if possible.
I'm serious about helping make this one go. It could be a really cool one especially when the grass gets short (i.e. dies and the cows eat it) to make glow stick recovery more doable. I guess it all comes down to if the FAA would allow it or not, and if the club as a whole would be interested. I got some semi-transparent fluorescent printer filament, and an idea that involves some blacklight LEDs kicking around too.
FAA regulations prohibit flying Class 2 rockets between sunset and sunrise. You could have a Class 2 night launch if the FAA specifically waived that rule.
On the other hand, there are no such restrictions on Class 1.
Once upon a time long long ago, DARS held a night launch at Windom. The thing I use in place of a memory says that there were two flyers (Bob Wilson and Dave Schaeffer?) Not exactly an overwhelming response. BP powered rockets were the most interesting/visible because they do emit sparks visible at night.
Strobes are completely worthless because it is nearly impossible to track the slow blink rate. Continuous lighting (LEDs or glow stick) is best.
Cl(VII), I have a solution for you:
[video=youtube;iAUrDMbK4pc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAUrDMbK4pc[/video]
[video=youtube;Uj3e6xK5s9I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj3e6xK5s9I[/video]
You should check out a PAT gathering or better yet a PGI convention if you're willing to travel. No recovery necessary!!!
So is Sat a go in Gunter? Should I bother packing up and running sims?
Weather wise or otherwise?
How's it looking for HP at Prairie Hill next weekend, April 29?
Current long range weather does not look too promising, but it's a little early to trust that.
If we can pull off a launch, I'll like to attempt my L2
Anyone else in?
Jack
Jack are you certifying NAR or Tripoli? There is always the May 13th launch at Hearne Municipal with Tripoli Houston if nothing else works out before then.
Enter your email address to join: