We have been given the green light to proceed with our High Skies In July launch at the North Site.  In addition, we have been blessed with an extra day on the front end of the weekend.  On Friday, July 10, expect the waiver and range to be ready by 9 AM, with a standing waiver of 20,000’ AGL.  (Sorry no windows on Friday)  For Saturday and Sunday, range operations will commence at 8 AM, with windows of opportunity for higher flights to be coordinated real time.   Come prepared for the possibility of afternoon thundershowers.

Please read the following carefully and pay attention to what we are trying to explain.  

We will gather at the North launch site as guests of the Department of Agriculture and the United States Forest Service.  Please treat these public lands kindly. Be sure to clean up after yourselves and assist those that were here before us who were less than considerate or responsible.   Respect the ground elevation and the power of the sun at this launch site.  We are over a mile above sea level at this launch site so be sure to wear sun screen and drink plenty of water.  Appreciate the wide open spaces and remember that the deer and the antelope are allowed to play out here as well.  Be aware that cactus and rattlesnakes belong out here and are often surprised when we intrude on their territory.  The nearest large medical facilities are not near but are found in Wellington, Fort Collins or Cheyenne, a painful distance away in the event of any misfortunate encounter or event. 

The prairie is fragile and combustible – NO SPARKIES ALLOWED.    In the event of any fire on the range, all launch activities will cease until the fires are completely extinguished and it is safe for us to continue.  We are all on fire watch but adults only will assist in putting out fires.  Be smart – be safe.  If you’re wearing nylon or synthetic clothing you are excused from participating.  Approach the fire from the sides and back edge – never get in front of the wind and fire.  Imagine pinching the fire between two lines of defense.   There are air pressurized water filled fire extinguishers, brooms and flappers on the launch lines and near the trailer. To use a silver bullet fire extinguisher, pull the pin, place your thumb over the nozzle and fan spray short bursts of water at the base of the flames.  Do not just spray a steady stream in one location of the flame.  With the brooms, sweep the flames back onto the charred areas.  And the flappers are improperly named.  Do not flap the fire but smother the flames, pushing the fire back onto the burned areas.

Kids – please mind your parents.  Parents – please pay attention to your children. There should be no running on the range except in the case of emergencies and even then, please be careful as there are lots of badger holes and owl burrows to stumble on.   Occasionally there will be a request for QUIET ON THE RANGE so we can hear if deployment charges worked.    Be aware of where you are on the flight line and range at all times.  Do you know your compass points?  Never Eat Soggy Waffles or North, East, South and West.  That’s Wyoming to the North, Nebraska to the East, New Mexico to the South and those are the Rocky Mountains off to the West. Please pay close attention to what is going on around you and sometimes above you.    Pointing at falling objects is allowed and encouraged so everyone knows where to be looking.

 If the LCO or RSO calls a HEADS UP flight, then please respect the possibility of an unscheduled event occurring.  For all HEADS UP flights, please get up, stand up, get out from under your canopies and pay attention.  If something goes wrong, you’ll be that much better prepared to fully appreciate the problem and react accordingly.  And if it turns out to be a case of just crying wolf, at least you had a good view of another awesome launch.   Don’t get lazy, complacent or fooled – even a small rocket can cause big problems.

Respect rocketry etiquette.  Consider this a simple reminder to discard the previous flyer’s igniter wire in the yellow buckets provided. Please install and secure your motor igniters at and on the pad and be sure to remember to arm your cameras/altimeters before coming back to the spectator’s area.  And please, have your flight cards filled out completely and legibly before entering the range to load your rocket on the launch pads.  For safety reasonss, only essential personnel may go out to the launch pads.

Join us in giving thanks to the FAA for administrating our shared airspace. We are blessed with an abundance of open space and recovery room for every flight.  Remember that Foot Recovery is the rule – please stay on the authorized roads.  All flyers, regardless of age, must be registered and submit a flight card for every flight.  If you are flying High Power, you must be a Certified flyer and current with your membership in the NAR or TRA.  If you’re out on the range to retrieve your rocket and you come upon what might be a missing or lost rocket, check to see if anyone is out there with you looking for it.  If not, do everyone a favor and bring it back to the LCO table so the rocket and flyer might get re-acquainted. 

Drink plenty of water. Buy raffle tickets.  There are always plenty of great prizes.   Be sure to patronize all of our vendors on site and thank them for supporting our club and hobby.  Please follow all of the safety rules of the National Association of Rocketry and Tripoli Rocketry Association.   And most importantly of all, be kind, courteous and respectful of everyone’s flights.   Appreciate this opportunity to share and enjoy this great hobby of ours.  Be safe, stay hydrated, and wear sun screen. We’re happy you might come out to enjoy another special time on the prairie with NCR.