Nsl

[SecretSquirrel]

Originally posted by OKTurbo
Sorry Don,

The GN won't be making the trip. Not that it can't, it's just that there's not much "rocket room". Plus right now it's set up for 110 octane race fuel and that stuff is like liquid gold. Smells good though.

I know that's right! I had to run the same fuel when I was driving this.

 

[OKTurbo]

...I bow to the almighty Shelby GT500....'69?

You suck

I go to the big Tulsa Shelby meet every year to look at all the cars I can't afford. It's coming up pretty soon.

There used to be a nice track near College Station. A couple of days playing with rockets...then a couple of days burning up a set of tires and several gallons of hi-test. The perfect Memorial Day weekend.

John

 

[Max_Power004]

Originally posted by SecretSquirrel
I know that's right! I had to run the same fuel when I was driving this.

Holy Crap!! Holy Moly!! ba ba ba buh buh buh.....thbpt drooool...i nearly puked that car is so beautiful!!!

errr, .....I mean nice car dude.

BTW, are the hotels filling up really quickly?

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Originally posted by OKTurbo
'69?

Yup!

 

[Fore Check]

OK folks, it's time for me to get down to the details on planning my trip to the NSL. Hotel accomodations I'm not worried about - it's the logistics of operating on site during NSL.

I think I got the first question I have answered: plan on bringing a shade tent, folding table, and a couple of lawn chairs.

Here's the rest. And bear with me - I've never been to club launch or big event of any kind. Those of you who just attended Whittakers will probably be able to provide some answers to these seemingly simple questions.

I'm assuming that I will be spending quite a bit of time *not* at my tent and setup table. This most likely means that someone else needs to be involved to "guard" my stuff, right?

Do I need to have a vehicle on site to use during the day? Will I be able to drive right up to where I pitch my tent and table to unload my stuff?

Is it advisable to keep all my stuff (rockets, motors, etc) locked up in a nearby vehicle and only pull out what I need, when I need it, and use my table only for pre-launch prep?

Should I plan on bringing a cooler with drinks, food, etc?


Let me explain where I'm coming from with this: My wife doesn't want to spend all day - let alone 2 or 3 days - launching rockets with me and my two sons (ages 7 & 8). Her hope is to basically drop me and my stuff off and come back for me later. Is this realistic, knowing that I'll be the only adult or competent person in my personal group?

If that's not realistic, is it possible for me to "group" with some other TRFers to make my wife's plan a possibility?

I really appreciate any and all input on this.

 

[wwattles]

Originally posted by Fore Check
I'm assuming that I will be spending quite a bit of time *not* at my tent and setup table. This most likely means that someone else needs to be involved to "guard" my stuff, right?

Is it advisable to keep all my stuff (rockets, motors, etc) locked up in a nearby vehicle and only pull out what I need, when I need it, and use my table only for pre-launch prep?

Should I plan on bringing a cooler with drinks, food, etc?

If that's not realistic, is it possible for me to "group" with some other TRFers to make my wife's plan a possibility?

I've had only my experience with my local monthly launches, which are about the size of the Whittakers launch. I'll answer the questions as best as I can, and as always, let the rest of the forums chime in.

Table: we just leave our stuff out on the table without any problems. Rocketeers are typically rather snoopy folks who love to go around and *look* at things on other people's tables, but also are very respectful of the time/effort put into them and don't touch anything. Generally speaking, your stuff is going to be safe. As for locking it up, that's up to you. If you feel like it's not going to be safe (ie, unsavory types poking around at your $150 tracking devices), you might want to lock it up, or even just put it out of sight somewhere.

Grouping: I'd bet that there would be at least a few TRFers who'd love to add you to their "group." We do that all the time at our launches... just walk up to someone at the next group over, introduce yourself, start asking about their rocket (and you know we all love talking about our latest projects!), and next thing you know, we're sharing tools, table space, dog barf, etc.

Coolers: Absolute must. I use mine whenever I'm going out for more than a couple hours - it doubles as a seat or extra work surface, and has even once been used to hold down a portable tent canopy when the winds kicked up. Having food/drink available is very handy, too.

Hope this gets you started!

WW

 

[Max_Power004]

Well. I can't find anyone to go with me so I think I'm just gonna make the 2.5 hour drive in the morning and just be there all day for one day. Any advice on which day to choose? I'm thinking Saturday. Is there going to be a big comemorative kit launch? If so, when? I'd like to take part in that with my "Spirit of Texas"

 

[Fore Check]

It will be mid-day Saturday (at the earliest) before I get there - we have a little league game Friday night and probably won't start the 4.5 hr or so drive until Sat. morning. But I plan on being there Saturday and Sunday at least. Probably not so much Monday - travel home and all.



It'd be nice to put together some contact information for those of us going so we know who to look for when we get there. Maybe via PMs or something.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Originally posted by Max_Power004
Is there going to be a big comemorative kit launch? If so, when? I'd like to take part in that with my "Spirit of Texas"

I've sent an email to the NSL committee about this. I'll post info as soon as I get it.

 

[jflis]

Don,

thank you for contacting NSL about the kit launch. I've been so swamped.. (finally got my data disk back! ) i've not had a chance to plan as well as I would like for NSL...

keep us posted!
jim

 

[SecretSquirrel]

We can do this sometime Saturday afternoon. Art and Jim, I need your input on a good time to forward on to NSL.

 

[jflis]

i'll be there from start to finish, and don't have a time preference.

Art, how about you?
jim

 

[SecretSquirrel]

After getting feedback from Jim, Art and some others, I've asked for the launch to be on Saturday, starting sometime between 11am and 2pm. I'll post more detailed times when the NSL committee has notified me.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this.

 

[eugenefl]

URGENT

A volunteer is needed to fly the Texas/NSL leg of the "Tour de Deuce." I believe our previous volunteer "powderburner" is unavailable for this weekend. If this is incorrect, please contact Jason, Jim, or myself. Otherwise, is there someone we can ship the Deuces to that will be attending NSL? I know Jim will be there in person, but we may not have enough time to ship to him. If you are available, please notify either Jim, Jason, or myself via Email or PM on TRF.

Thanks all.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Hmmmmmmm...................

Should I volunteer?? I have some big Squirrel Works decals I can slap on the fins

 

[jflis]

Originally posted by SecretSquirrel
Hmmmmmmm...................

Should I volunteer?? I have some big Squirrel Works decals I can slap on the fins

be nice...

LOL

 

[Fore Check]

I was Just about to post about the schedule on the TDD at NSL.

Jason:

If I can help, count me in.

I've already paid my registration fee and I pan on camping.

I won't get there until mid-day Saturday (I have about a 4 hr drive and I'll be leaving the house Saturday morning) but I was bringing my modified Deuce's in the hopes of teaming up with the TDD launch.

Oh -

And the family vehicle won't fit all the camping gear and my rockets for the trip down. So, I'm renting a U-Haul trailer so I can lay my rockets down, wrap them in blankets, and drop the trailer at the launch site.

Yes, I'm a nerd.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

All I can find out is that the commemorative kit launch will take place on Saturday, starting sometime between 11 and 2. I guess a firmer time might be pinned down before the NSL but maybe not until that day. So if you want to participate, plan on being there by 11.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

There are only 18 days left to go until National Sport Launch 2004 in
Hearne, Texas, and things are coming together quite nicely. Today's update
will highlight the support we will have in place for both HP and model
rocket flying...

The waiver: thanks to the generous support of our friends to the east, NSL
'04 will be taking place under the NASA/Houston Rocket Club's waiver.
Rockets up to M impulse can be supported at the Hearne Municipal Airport,
and the altitude limit is a lofty 12,500'.

The HP ranges: NSL '04 will feature dual High Power ranges, allowing almost
continuous flying throughout the three-day event! Both the north and south
ranges will have pads stationed at 100', 200', and 500', and the south range
will also feature a 1000' away cell for complex and high-flying projects.
The range has been configured to allow flying from one range while the other
range loads. Both ranges will operate using a innovative digital wireless
launch control system, developed by AARG's Dan Miner (Dan will discuss this
in a future NSL Update.)

The HP range will also have extensive support for hybrid rockets, courtesy
of Tim Sapp of Sapp'n Your Time. Alex Mericas will offer a complete
overview of the hybrid plan in a future NSL Update.

The Model Rocket range: NHRC has stepped up again, graciously allowing the
use of the state's best model rocket range system to support fliers in the
lower impulse range. In addition, a separate pad will be located in a
grassy area to support delicate and complex model rockets (word has it that
Warren Benson will be making the maiden flight of his Apogee Saturn V from
this pad!)

For more information, please visit the NSL '04 website at:

aarg.org/nsl

If you have any questions, please shoot them my way!

James

 

[SecretSquirrel]

The 2004 National Sport Launch is less than three weeks away! From New
Hampshire to Texas, from Louisiana to Wisconsin, epoxy is curing and paint
is flying as rocketeers rush to finish their birds for the big event...

One team is ready to go however, as Jason Ware of Dallas has completed work
on his latest upscale masterpiece of an Estes gem. Working closely with
fellow DARS member Dave Schaefer, Jason has fashioned a 7.5x version of the
Colonial Viper rocket sold by Estes in the late 70's. See:

https://www.galaxyphoto.com/rockets/viper8.html

The detailed body wraps were created using a large-format Hewlett-Packard
printer. This is sure to be one of the highlights of NSL '04, so plan to be
there.

Jason is also an accomplished astrophotographer, with many of his
photographs featured in Meade catalogs and advertisements over the years.
To see some of his work, visit his astrophotography site at:

https://www.galaxyphoto.com/

Are you planning a major project for NSL '04? If so, be sure to let us know
and we'll try to feature it in a future update and on the National Sport
Launch website:

www.aarg.org/nsl

If you have any questions concerning NSL '04, please contact me at the email
address listed below.

James

_______________________
James Duffy
National Sport Launch 2004 Event Director
[email protected]

 

[powderburner]

I don't know how many of you guys are aware of this, but Hearne is one of the spots that got clobbered pretty good in the last few days. In a typical Texas thunderstorm, they got some 12 to 15 inches of rain----in a few hours time. Much of the town was/is underwater.

Since NSL is only a short time away, you should expect to find minimal people-comfort-type supports in the town. The flying field will almost certainly be dried out, but Hearne will be busy recovering.

https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,119913,00.html

 

[Fore Check]

Wow.... I had no idea....

I hope it *does* dry out - I'm planning on camping.

Powderburner: You still planning on going?

 

[powderburner]

Originally posted by Fore Check
Powderburner: You still planning on going?

I never did plan on attending the NSL----I am obliged to attend a different event that weekend.

Those of you who are going to NSL should probably plan on stopping at some other town for your last-minute supplies. It looks like Hearne is going to be pretty busy putting itself back together.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Message 4158 of 4158 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ] Message Index
Msg #
From: James Duffy
Date: Fri May 14, 2004 3:11 pm
Subject: National Sport Launch Update; 15 days to go!


Tomorrow begins the two-week countdown to the 2004 National Sport Launch,
hosted by the Austin Area Rocketry Group at the Hearne Municipal Airport!

Some of you may have seen news reports of the major storms that passed
through Texas yesterday; Hearne was a major target of one of these storms,
with 17" of rainfall reported.

We have confirmed that the Hearne Municipal Airport, the NSL '04 launch
site, is open for business and was unaffected by the rain, so the launch is
still a go.

Having received several concerned inquiries about the weather this morning,
we felt it best to get this update out as quickly as possible. As always,
feel free to contact me with any questions you may have concerning NSL '04,
and be sure to pre-register at the official website:

www.aarg.org/nsl

Thanks,
James

 

[maxq2244]

Now I know why I had a hard time trying to book my room. The lady kept screaming into the phone "I can't hear you it's really raining hard here" . It took a while but I got my room. I just hope everyone is OK and everything dries out.


Does anybody know if the AARG has a 10ft. launch rail?
All my HP rockets have rail guides. I have a 6ft. rail but my lateist project is 7ft. I know the 6ft. rail would work but I would rather launch it for the first time off a longer rail since it's my first large scratch built/K motor flight.

 

[Fore Check]

Hey Maxq:

Here's the email address for Jeff Short, the president of AARG who's organizing the NSL: [email protected]

Make sure you put "NSL Question" or something like that in the subject line so he knows it's not junk.

Anyway, I've spoken with Jeff on the phone and he's been very nice, responsive, and helpful in any way I can imagine. He answered my LPR set up questions, and I'm sure he'd get you an answer on your launch rail question.

That said, I suspect that there will be some *big* pads there for a national event.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

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Message 19009 of 19009 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ] Message Index
Msg #
From: James Duffy <[email protected]>
Date: Sun May 16, 2004 5:12 pm
Subject: National Sport Launch Update! 13 days to go...


Today's National Sport Launch Update is presented by Alex Mericas,
Certification Czar and Chief Gas Passer for NSL '04. Alex is heading up
hybrid support for the event, as well as coordinating all NAR L1 & L2
activities. Here's Alex's report:
__________________________

The NSL organizers want to give you gas! We will have at least two
pads dedicated to Hybrids at all time. We have Ground Support
Equipment for Hypertek motors and all U/C Valve motors (RATT,
ProPoly, West Coast, etc.). Tim Sapp
(mailto:[email protected]) will be selling N2O and O2 fills.
Tim is also a Hypertek dealer. If you plan on flying L or M
motors we may have to arrange your flight ahead of time (to allow
the GSE to be moved to the away pad). If you have your own GSE and
would like to use it for your flights (and/or share it with others)
please feel free to contact us with the details so we can plan
ahead. If you are flying one of the big hybrids you should contact
the event director ahead of time so we can make arrangements.

Alex Mericas
__________________________
Thanks, Alex! If you have any questions concerning NSL '04, feel free to
direct them to me at the address listed below. If you're planning on
attending, be sure to pre-register at the official National Sport Launch
website:

www.aarg.org/nsl

See you in Hearne,
James

_______________________
James Duffy
National Sport Launch 2004 Event Director

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Message 19036 of 19036 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ] Message Index
Msg #
From: James Duffy <[email protected]>
Date: Tue May 18, 2004 3:53 am
Subject: National Sport Launch Update! 12 days


FYI...latest National Sport Launch update!
_______________________
James Duffy
National Sport Launch 2004 Event Director
[email protected]


------ Forwarded Message
From: Jeff Short <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 20:23:19 -0700 (PDT)

Subject: [nsl2004] National Sport Launch Update! 12 days

In this update I would like to give an overview of the flow for
launching rockets at NSL 2004. This flow is planned out to be as
efficient as possible and we believe it will work. If things
need to change then it can be done onsite.

The first thing everyone will need to do is check in at the
registration tent on their first day of flying. There you will
receive your name tags and a packet of information about the
event. In this package will be a map outlining the fence
crossing points, no man&#8217;s land, refreshments, etc. There
will
also be a site rules package along with the appropriate
penalties if the rules are broken (where needed). Some vendors
have requested to be able to add a small amount of information
to these packets as well. I believe Art Applewhite is going to
include a free kit for the children to build onsite and fly if
they would like. We will also be monitoring parking so that no
one takes up more room than is required. We only have 2 rows of
parking and would like to not have people walk forever (i.e. If
you have a trailer etc then you need to park perpendicular and
not parallel to the taxiway).

Once the above is complete you are ready to fly. There will be
one area in the center of the launch area (just in the grass
about mid way between the taxiway and the runway). Here is where
all the people responsible for flights will be located. The
field RSO will be at various places making sure safety is always
followed as well as keeping an eye on all L3 flights. In the
central area you will first enter the safety check in. There
will be two check in stations one for HPR and one for Modroc.
You will need to fill out a flight card at this point unless you
have already filled one out. Once approved for flight you will
wait until the all clear is given to load another rack of
rockets. The pad sections are setup so that we can load one set
while the other is launching. You will be taken out in groups
with a Pad manager who will have your flight card and assign you
to a pad. Once loaded you and the pad manager will return to the
safety zone around the LCO area. The pad manager will give your
flight cards to the LCO/RSO who will be responsible for
announcing and launching the flights. Once all flights in your
section are done you will be able to go and recover your rocket.
The LCO will put your flight card into the raffle box as each
flight card is an entry into the raffle.

The launch hours are from 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday, 9 &#8211;
2 on
Monday. If you are available to help cleanup and pack away the
launch area on Monday afternoon any help would be greatly
appreciated. Everyone will be tired by this point so the more
hands we can get the faster it will get done so we can all get
home.

As always if you have any questions please feel free to contact
James Duffy or I.

Jeff Short
President AARG

 

[SecretSquirrel]

From: James Duffy <[email protected]>
Date: Tue May 18, 2004 8:42 pm
Subject: National Sport Launch Update: 11 Days to go....


Greetings, fellow rocket people!

The 2004 National Sport Launch at the Hearne, Texas Municipal Airport is
fast approaching! Many of you are planning HP certification flights during
the NSL weekend, and to help smooth the process Alex Mericas has taken on
the role of Certification Czar! Here's the update from Alex:
______________________________

High Power Certification can be stressful. To help reduce that
stress this year's NSL will have a Certification Coordinator to make
sure your certification goes smoothly. Alex Mericas will be
coordinating all NAR L1 and L2 certification attempts. The NAR L2
test will be offered at least twice during the weekend, Saturday
morning and Sunday morning. L3 attempts should be coordinated
through your L3CC. Certification candidates should download the NAR
HPR Certification form from:

https://nar.org/pdf/hpappl.pdf

Read through the checklists on the form but don't fill them in! They
will be filled in by the certification team at the field. If you
noted your certification plans at registration time, Alex should
have already contacted you. If not you can reach him at:

[email protected]
_________________________________

Thanks, Alex. Should you have any other questions about NSL '04 fell free
to contact me at the address below. Don't forget to pre-register, either!

www.aarg.org/nsl

See you in Hearne,
James

_______________________
James Duffy
National Sport Launch 2004 Event Director
[email protected]

 

[jflis]

Well, i've just confirmed that my printer will be able to get our stuff together in time for NSL, so in addition to everything else we're going to be trying to do, FlisKits will also have a professionally printed set of NSL Caution Rocket kits in the registration packets (assuming that I can get them to Texas in time )

If they aren't in the registration packets (the first 100 anyway), we will have a notice put up that you can pick them up at the FlisKits booth.

See you all there!
jim