New BAR Member - Looking for Places to Launch in VA

Hi everyone, I’m interested in getting back into rocketry after a hiatus since childhood. Back then, I received an Estes America starter kit for Christmas, built a few more LPR rockets for a several more years, and then other interests shifted my focus away. A few months ago, I walked past some rockets in a local hobby store, and picked up some kits because I wanted to remake those lost models and do them justice with my improved building abilities.

Having built a few rockets so far, I have still yet to launch them. I live in Richmond, VA, and a cursory internet search yielded that the city does not seem too keen on rocket launching in local parks. However, I did discover a list of nearby NAR and Tripoli clubs, and I’ve been trying to find a launch to attend. Unfortunately, the closest ones to me seem inactive. Vikings Rocket Society, supposedly based here in Richmond, has lost its flying field, and the website has had no updates for months. HOVAR’s website also shows no updates since 2018 launches. I guess I’ll have to travel further to attend a launch (Battle Park and NOVAAR), but I was really hoping to find something closer. Any local Virginia flyers that have any up-to-date information about the rocket scene around here? Thanks, this site has already been a goldmine of great information that I’ve already applied to my latest builds!

I figured I should add a photo of my new, growing fleet. I just completed the Black Brant, and am very content with how much better it turned out compared to the original I built twenty years ago. I'm really glad Estes re-released this kit. I generally stick to the stock finish schemes, as I tend to be better at execution of existing ideas rather than devising my own. I just started working on a Crossfire ISX, and I also have a Patriot, Citation Patriot, Cherokee-E, ESAM, Big Daddy, and Nike X down the line.

Welcome!

Finding an organized Club launch nowadays may be difficult since both Nar and Tripoli have put a moratorium on organized launches due to virus issues.
However, you are on the right track reaching out to the locals. They should know the regulations and ordinances. Finding a place to Launch ( with permission, without trees) is truly the greatest challenge of flying east of the Mississippi

Thanks! Yes, I should have mentioned that I don't expect any major launches in the near future, but I figured now would be a good time to collect info to be ready when the current virus situation abates. In the meantime, my fleet will continue to grow.

Finding suitable fields is definitely a challenge. Now, as an adult, I tend to care more about avoiding potential consequences for flouting rules and regulations. As a kid, you could plead childish ignorance and get away with things with only a scolding. I used to launch in the farm field behind my house, which was two miles from a small airport. No one cared and nothing happened, but I wouldn't dream of doing that these days!

I believe that the Northern Neck club in King George was pretty active with scheduled launches before the COVID-19 outbreak. Jess Feeback is the contact, good guy.

https://www.nar.org/local_club/northern-neck-rocketry-society-nnrs-822/

You're welcome to come fly with SEVRA once we're back up and running. It'll be a haul for you, I know, since our current field in on the south side of the Dismal Swamp in NC. I'm afraid that crops will be in once all this virus stuff has passed and we'll be without a field until October. Find us on FaceBook (sevra621). If you aren't on FB, you can still see our public page (sevranartra) and our website sevra.org.

Thank you both for the replies. I'll check out both the Northern Neck club and SEVRA when conditions allow. They're quite far considering rockets are a side-hobby for me, but it would be cool to bring a bunch of them and spend a day launching them. I've never been to a club launch, is there a decent amount of LPR launches going on, or is it mostly Mid and HPR?

I’m also in Richmond, and most often fly at Battle Park when it’s available. Pay close attention to the status of club launches on Tripoli and/or NAR’s websites. We will be flying again soon!

Worsaer said:

I’m also in Richmond, and most often fly at Battle Park when it’s available. Pay close attention to the status of club launches on Tripoli and/or NAR’s websites. We will be flying again soon!

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Thanks for this info, I'll keep an eye out for the Battle Park launches!