I’m looking for some low risk launch sites for an MPR that I designed...by low risk I mean away from water and tall trees. I’ve been looking but I can’t find any place large enough...I’m looking for open space and there’s no NAR launch sites that are big enough in central PA. Kinda tough finding a field big enough. I don’t expect anyone to have an answer but I figured I’d throw it out there.
Launch Sites in Central PA
- Thread starter ebman159
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Where exactly in central PA, and how far are you willing to drive? I still probably don't have an answer. It helps all the same to define the question as well as possible.
(Depending on the answers to the above, you might want to check out SPAAR, NAR section #503, in Lancaster.)
(Depending on the answers to the above, you might want to check out SPAAR, NAR section #503, in Lancaster.)
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I’m in the Harrisburg area, I’d be willing to go somewhere under an hour/hour and a half. But the closer the better.
Well, there's a NAR section in Lancaster (see above but I probably was in the middle of editing it when you posted) and another in Allentown (PARA, NAR section #520). About an hour for one and an hour and a half for the other. I don't know where either of their launch fields are, just their contact addresses. You can find them on the NAR web site and then link to their web sites for more information.
PARA is a great club but has an unusually small field. SPAAR is a good club in/near Lancaster. If you need a field bigger than SPAAR has I'll be seeing you at MDRA, it's worth the drive and there is a launch this weekend. MDRA launches are two day launches. Saturday starts at noon and Sunday starts at 9. both days end at 5 or when everyone is finished launching
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I was worried about the Halifax launch site, as I am closest to it, because it’s right next to the river...I’m planning to do my second test for my experimental Rocket powered by a G80...it’ll be up about 3/4 of a mile or more so it makes me nervous being that close to the river...
I forgot to mention that there is a rocket club that meets in Mt Airy MD called NARHAMS, which I go to the monthly launches. Here's directions and a weblink...it is about an hour and a half from Harrisburg.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Har...c8128d46d5!2m2!1d-76.8867008!2d40.2731911!1m0https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Har...c8128d46d5!2m2!1d-76.8867008!2d40.2731911!1m0
Club website:
https://www.narhams.org/index.html
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Har...c8128d46d5!2m2!1d-76.8867008!2d40.2731911!1m0https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Har...c8128d46d5!2m2!1d-76.8867008!2d40.2731911!1m0
Club website:
https://www.narhams.org/index.html
I’ve only been to one launch at Halifax and it was set up quite a distance from the river and the prevailing winds that day made me more nervous of the woods in the other direction. 4000’ is pretty high for most Mid Power launch sites.
Yeah I’m probably gonna go somewhere other than Halifax. Lost a good $500 when I lost the last experiment due to field size.
If you're only comfortable with a huge field (understandable) it sounds like you'll have to go further afield. MDRA launches on the DelMarVa, MARS launches up in Geneeo, NY, LDRS wherever it is year by year, etc.
tOD
Sinking in the quicksand of HPR
I drove from Pittsburgh to fly at the Sod Farm with MDRA today. Drove down last night and brought along the wife and the dog for a mini vay-k. Because, well, there's no place in PA like the Sod Farm. My home club is Pittsburgh Space Command and we have a member who comes every month from (I think) Williamsport.
tOD
Sinking in the quicksand of HPR
Yes. There were a couple of K motor flights. Ceiling was 4000'. No one lost anything. I understand that the November launch will be at their other field at Higgs Farm, which is even larger. I was there in April and the ceiling was 14,000'. You could also check out MARS in Geneseo, NY. Not exactly next door, but if you need a large field this would also be a good choice. Both are great clubs.
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