The Maine Missile Math and Science Club is forced to suspend operation for the 2019 season. While the land owner of the sod farm we use for our launches loves us and has been very happy with our stewardship of the field for the better part of a decade we've been flying there, the new crop owner is expanding operations to seven days per week. We cannot safely launch with workers anywhere on the field so, as of now, we are cancelling all launches for the 2019 season.
Once the farm has been operating in this fashion for some time, we will explore the chance of having access at some point during the year. Three possibilities I can envision during the summer/fall time frames (prime sod seasons) are:
Scott has asked that nobody negatively vent their feelings online. We have a good relationship with both the land owner and the crop owner and we want to stay in those good graces to be able to get use of the farm if and when the situation allows. The crop owner is a business man and he's doing what he needs to to make a go of his company. We have been fortunate to have use of the field for all these years and have become somewhat spoiled. We will be looking for alternative sites in Southern Maine and New Hampshire. As things develop, we will keep you informed. If you know of a farm, sod farm, hay field or the like that may be worth exploring, let us know. It may not be as big or allow flights as high as Berwick but it may satisfy many of club's needs.
Once the farm has been operating in this fashion for some time, we will explore the chance of having access at some point during the year. Three possibilities I can envision during the summer/fall time frames (prime sod seasons) are:
- check if Saturday/Sunday operations are full days. If the crew knocks off at noon or so, we may be able to have afternoon launches into the evening.
- see if there are any holidays the workers would have that would allow weekend usage.
- see if the full week schedule is really working for the farm; they may revert to Sunday through Friday as has been the case in the past.
Scott has asked that nobody negatively vent their feelings online. We have a good relationship with both the land owner and the crop owner and we want to stay in those good graces to be able to get use of the farm if and when the situation allows. The crop owner is a business man and he's doing what he needs to to make a go of his company. We have been fortunate to have use of the field for all these years and have become somewhat spoiled. We will be looking for alternative sites in Southern Maine and New Hampshire. As things develop, we will keep you informed. If you know of a farm, sod farm, hay field or the like that may be worth exploring, let us know. It may not be as big or allow flights as high as Berwick but it may satisfy many of club's needs.