Another HPR Checklist Thread... (What to take with you)

[K'Tesh]

In a recent post, I was reminded of the massive headache and sunburn I got with my L1 attempt. So, now I'm wondering what things that should go on the checklist (for individuals or clubs) at HPR launch events.

At my particular launch event, Filible's Folly at Sheridan, Oregon (back in September of 2015), I had stuck a thumb out at the OROC club meeting and scored a ride out to the launch. I had brought a couple of rockets, a little cash, and myself. I didn't have sunscreen, and I should have, and I had only a single can of Diet Coke with me (my L1 rocket's nose weight). The event did have a food vendor, but for some reason, the vendor didn't bring drinks. Late in the day, after spending much of my time under Rob Appleton's canopy, I started to get a nasty headache. Perhaps it was caused by the wind, the heat, and eating without having anything to drink (other than a single can of warm Diet Coke). No matter the exact cause was a really painful throbbing headache. Someone was kind enough to share some water with me, but it was too little, and too late.

So, on the checklist should be:
Cash (for onsite vendors (including food))
Water
Sunscreen
First Aid Kit (including aspirin, or other headache medicine) and any meds required by medical conditions (diabetes, allergies (eg. bees, or food allergies), etc.)
Hat (especially for those of us who are follicularly challenged)
Sunglasses (with lanyard or similar retaining device)
Suitable clothing* (might be a good idea to talk to people who've been there before)
Insect repellent

*Specific suggestions would be appreciated. For example, a cover for the face to keep mosquitoes off.

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Gatorade to replace lost electrolytes. Gary Baryum he’s dead now but that was one of his things he always had at launches for everyone really made a difference in South Carolina sun. Yeah sunscreen and hat are a must. Always re apply sunscreen especially on salt flats I got tore up in 2017 with sun poisioning. Thought they were kidding with phrase sun poisoning rays reflect off the salt and it’ll really do some serious harm if not prepared. Anyways but Nice things to have are anything heavy carbs food wise I like either potatoe chips or dried summer sausage meats. View it more like a day hike camping trip and your gonna be fine safety wise. View it a little harsher if flying out of extreme environments like salt flats or deserts or mountains. If winter consider fleeces or coats and rain gear is nice just in case.

I see your missing one thing I take is a rocket repair kit full of epoxies, shock cord,4/40 screws, nylon shear pins, extra batteries, basic tools, sandpaper, heat gun, inverter, delay drills etc. some guys even pack cordless drills etc. I’ve had rockets crash, launch lugs rail buttons shear off, and even fins break in transport at university comps. Having the ability to fix a rocket in the field is nice especially when your commuting several hours. Gave me the ability to attempt a cert the next day and get that cert after a fin popped lose. So yeah I always recommend a rocket reepair kit after you’ve looked after yourself. A box of various motors because usually I don’t count on a vendor having what I want. Hey man cash is great but having crap you can loan out to other flyers and have them loan you items you didn’t bring is another fun thing in the hobby lol. Some kinda lawn chair is nice too. You can even camp on some launch sites and that adds a whole new experience. Then as needed for higher alt flights I bring a bunch of electronics like GPS or radio beacons and a laptop. Always nice to have OR on a flash drive to show an RSO if needed.

Some people get super fancy and add those pop up shelter tents for sun protection, tables, pvc rocket racks, and whatnot but I haven’t advanced with enough rockets to make that move yet. I’m kinda a cheapo and use the shipping boxes the motors came in lol. Everyones list is different but that’s mine. And I usually have to drive a few hours one way so yeah I’d rather bring it have it than not have it.

 

[jlabrasca]

This might be an interesting thread. I've seen folks bring big RVs for a day at the Sheridan site (which is quite close to civilization <smile>)-- so they basically bring EVERYTHING to a launch.

I was a city kid and I don't even like to dine al fresco. My family is a little more robust in the outdoors, but together we are day-trippers -- not even serious car-campers -- and we were not well-prepared for our first trip to the Brothers launch site.

Other than the range-box stuff (which should be a whole other discussion) we now show up with:

• Easy-up with a tarp that can be hung from the south-facing side to block the sun (also some tent poles, ropes, and suction cup mounts for the car-roof, so that we can extend the covered area as the sun gets higher).
• Chairs.
• Towels and rags
• A 2 gallon insulated water carrier (with ice).
• Food
• Wipes (also good for cleaning out motor casings) and sanitizer
• Garbage bags
• Paper towels
• Water bottles for everyone in the party.
• Hats for everybody
• Sunglasses
• SPF 666 Sunscreen
• First-aid kit with bandages, sting-cream/burn cream, disinfectant, etc. (this also goes to the low-power launches in a suburban park. More than once I've been a hero to some other kid's parent when I pulled the bandaids out of my range box).
• Hiking boots
• Field pants
• Light weight jackets or other long-sleeved covers.
• A change of clothes.
• Sweaters (it gets cold after dark, and there are high mountain passes to traverse between home and the Brothers launch site).
• Spare batteries/chargers for everything that needs to be charged.

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Oh forgot one big item.. Eye glass repair kit. I know it sounds stupid but those kinda small tiny screw drivers seem excellent for using altimeters and also for ripping burnt delay elements out of aerotech cases in the field. And a crazy Jim trick is always take spare igniters to the pad.

 

[dr wogz]

A lint roller to remove ticks..