To all,
Our local rocket club is participating in a local initiative which is best described as a student-discover-aerospace-and-aviation day. A one day session with activity workshops pertaining to flight and aeronautics for Grade 6 elementary students. We have a 20 minute time slot and our primary activity is building and launching paper straw rockets indoors. We're also presenting a brief video on model rocketry; in fact I've previously posted asking for and receiving video clips and stills. Check my earlier post:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=43223
What we'd like to also do is an outdoor demo launch of some model rockets.
Here's the dilema. While the indoor paper straw rocket works with groups of 20 to 30, the proposed outdoor demo launch is a group demo actvity that will present in front of anywhere from 200 to 300 kids; so it has to be "large" enough to be effective. It is also taking place in a grassy area (probably the size of 2 or 3 baseball infields) that is immediately adjacent to an International airport. While we are not at either end of the approach area to any of the runways, we are adjacent to a paved area that aircraft sometimes use.
We recognize and fully understand this goes against the model Rocketry safety code, but we also understand the benefits of a controlled demonstration and are nonetheless interested in pursuing this under rather stringent conditions.
We are targeting to launch 3 rockets.
First a paper model rocket (specifically the freebie design FlisKits caution paper rocket); either on a 1/2 A6 -2 or a full A8-3. A good demo rocket to show all aspects of a rockets flight; launch, deployment and recovery.
Second, a plastic dinner plate flying saucer design (Art Applewhite's Hefty Serve n' Store design) on a D11-P. An excellent demo to show how drag affects flight.
Third, a Sunward Aerospace flying pyramid (King Tut's pyramid) on either an F or G motor. The F or G will give some aspect of the wow effect of larger motors but the high drag design should still keep the rocket "contained".
The organizers of the event have made contact with the airport authorities and their initial reaction is to not approve of the activity (fully understandable). However they are willing to listen to the details of the proposal. As the subject matter experts on this we are being put in contact with the airport authorities to explain what it is we are doing and alleviate any of their concerns about coordinating the launches with their air traffic as well as the safety/liability issue with regards to adjacent buildings, aircraft, and staff working in the area.
In preparing to address these folks we've brainstormed the following selling points:
Save and recognized hobby activity: this is a recognized hobby activity, with an unblemished safety record. Model (and we need to stress that word) rockets and model rocket motors are available over the counter at any number of locations in the city and can be procured by anyone over the age of 12.
Our recognition of safety as an issue: Convey the point that one of the reasons for model rocketry's unblemished safety record is the observance and adherance of a strict safety guideline. We are aware of a safety code and we abide by it. Under these circumstances for a special initiative we are recognizing a waiver of the rules regarding launching close to an airport and will proceed under the stringest of conditions.
Demonstration launch: this is a demonstration launch and as such we will only be launching a very few rockets at select times, we are only planning on launching 6 model rockets, 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon (we can even provide the time windows)
SMALL model rockets: we can provide details on the size and complexity of the rockets we're launching; if they see were planning on launching a paper rocket that only weighs 1/2 oz., or a plastic dinner plate, and a cardboard/balsa pyramid they may realize that these are not dangerous nor a high risk to damage property (we plan to supply photographs, weights, dimensions, etc.)
Low altitude: we can provide probable altitudes attained. For at least the 1/2 A and D saucer, the altitudes attained would be lower than someone launching "bottle" rockets.
Location: while the launch area is adjacent to the airport, is not directly on the approach or take-off path of any runway
Location: we would be launching and retrieving from within the grassy enclosure adjacent to the building where the activities for that day are taking place. The only time we would need access "beyond the fence" is if on retrieval the wind blew the rocket over the fence
Flexibility: we need to convey that we'll respect their decision and are willing to work with them. We'll only launch 2 out of the 3 (smaller motors if they like), we'll even do a demo launch just for the airport authority folks to show them what we're planning on, etc.
Can anyone think of other things that might help us make our case?
Thanks in advance.
... Bill
Our local rocket club is participating in a local initiative which is best described as a student-discover-aerospace-and-aviation day. A one day session with activity workshops pertaining to flight and aeronautics for Grade 6 elementary students. We have a 20 minute time slot and our primary activity is building and launching paper straw rockets indoors. We're also presenting a brief video on model rocketry; in fact I've previously posted asking for and receiving video clips and stills. Check my earlier post:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=43223
What we'd like to also do is an outdoor demo launch of some model rockets.
Here's the dilema. While the indoor paper straw rocket works with groups of 20 to 30, the proposed outdoor demo launch is a group demo actvity that will present in front of anywhere from 200 to 300 kids; so it has to be "large" enough to be effective. It is also taking place in a grassy area (probably the size of 2 or 3 baseball infields) that is immediately adjacent to an International airport. While we are not at either end of the approach area to any of the runways, we are adjacent to a paved area that aircraft sometimes use.
We recognize and fully understand this goes against the model Rocketry safety code, but we also understand the benefits of a controlled demonstration and are nonetheless interested in pursuing this under rather stringent conditions.
We are targeting to launch 3 rockets.
First a paper model rocket (specifically the freebie design FlisKits caution paper rocket); either on a 1/2 A6 -2 or a full A8-3. A good demo rocket to show all aspects of a rockets flight; launch, deployment and recovery.
Second, a plastic dinner plate flying saucer design (Art Applewhite's Hefty Serve n' Store design) on a D11-P. An excellent demo to show how drag affects flight.
Third, a Sunward Aerospace flying pyramid (King Tut's pyramid) on either an F or G motor. The F or G will give some aspect of the wow effect of larger motors but the high drag design should still keep the rocket "contained".
The organizers of the event have made contact with the airport authorities and their initial reaction is to not approve of the activity (fully understandable). However they are willing to listen to the details of the proposal. As the subject matter experts on this we are being put in contact with the airport authorities to explain what it is we are doing and alleviate any of their concerns about coordinating the launches with their air traffic as well as the safety/liability issue with regards to adjacent buildings, aircraft, and staff working in the area.
In preparing to address these folks we've brainstormed the following selling points:
Save and recognized hobby activity: this is a recognized hobby activity, with an unblemished safety record. Model (and we need to stress that word) rockets and model rocket motors are available over the counter at any number of locations in the city and can be procured by anyone over the age of 12.
Our recognition of safety as an issue: Convey the point that one of the reasons for model rocketry's unblemished safety record is the observance and adherance of a strict safety guideline. We are aware of a safety code and we abide by it. Under these circumstances for a special initiative we are recognizing a waiver of the rules regarding launching close to an airport and will proceed under the stringest of conditions.
Demonstration launch: this is a demonstration launch and as such we will only be launching a very few rockets at select times, we are only planning on launching 6 model rockets, 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon (we can even provide the time windows)
SMALL model rockets: we can provide details on the size and complexity of the rockets we're launching; if they see were planning on launching a paper rocket that only weighs 1/2 oz., or a plastic dinner plate, and a cardboard/balsa pyramid they may realize that these are not dangerous nor a high risk to damage property (we plan to supply photographs, weights, dimensions, etc.)
Low altitude: we can provide probable altitudes attained. For at least the 1/2 A and D saucer, the altitudes attained would be lower than someone launching "bottle" rockets.
Location: while the launch area is adjacent to the airport, is not directly on the approach or take-off path of any runway
Location: we would be launching and retrieving from within the grassy enclosure adjacent to the building where the activities for that day are taking place. The only time we would need access "beyond the fence" is if on retrieval the wind blew the rocket over the fence
Flexibility: we need to convey that we'll respect their decision and are willing to work with them. We'll only launch 2 out of the 3 (smaller motors if they like), we'll even do a demo launch just for the airport authority folks to show them what we're planning on, etc.
Can anyone think of other things that might help us make our case?
Thanks in advance.
... Bill
