Category: General

High Skies in July 2018 has received the green light from the US Forest Service for the coming weekend of July 6th, 7th, and 8th on the Pawnee National Grassland at NCR’s North Site.  Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with “windows of opportunity” for higher altitudes shots on Saturday and Sunday.  We anticipate having the range set up and ready by 9 AM on Friday, and we’ll operate until 6 PM.  On Saturday and Sunday, the range and waiver will be open at 8 AM.  The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with characteristically light winds and comfortable to hot temperatures, and probable afternoon thundershowers.  Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest.

No fire restrictions are currently in place in Weld County or on the Pawnee NG, but that is subject to change and a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch would preclude launch activities.  The prairie remains green but is starting to crisp up due to recent winds and hot weather.  NO “sparky” motor types allowed.

Remember Range Etiquette.  If you find a gate closed, close it behind you.  Please stay on the authorized roads and please don’t park more than 100’ off the road at the flight line. Take as little space as necessary for your campsite.  Foot Recovery only.

The Pawnee National Grassland offers the ultimate in rustic, open space camping although for this event we should have a Port-a-Potty on site.  Self sufficient camping is permitted on site.  We are, however, limited to only one campfire in the established fire pit at the south end of the flight line.  Firewood is nonexistent on the prairie so contributions are welcome.  The nearest motels are in Wellington, CO, Cheyenne, WY, and Ft. Collins, CO.

Please treat our National Grassland with respect.  As is typical with camping in most public areas, we are required to remove all of our trash.  Be considerate and responsible.   If you bring it, be prepared to leave with it.  Please clean up your parking and prep area before you leave and take all of your stuff with you.

Hope to see you out on the range.

Rough calculations have been made, and MAYHEM really did happen. Over the three clear and sun drenched days, a total of somewhere over 60 different fliers put up something like 241 flights (145 Class One, 96 Class Two), including a few L1 Certifications, a Jr. L1 Certification, 6 M powered flights and 2 N powered flights. Huge thanks to Colin Apke , William Bussell and David Pinter for excellent service as LCO’s and Pad Managers and to everyone that helped with set up and the end of an epic weekend cleanup.

I can provide a better break down for each day, starting with Thursday afternoon/evening when we got most of the range set up and ready. Prairie very lush and green – antelope were happy, cattle are happy, cattlemen are happy and mosquitos ecstatic with all the opportunities to drill and fill, or die trying. Friday started slowly, as expected, but 21 different fliers still managed to loft 48 flights (28 Class One, 20 Class Two), including a Level One Certification flight for Rick Sipin and a Jr. L1 Certification for Collin Ruprecht. Flight line grew slowly during the day and kept growing late into the night. Saturday started with another review of safety concerns and operating procedures before we got really busy with 57 different fliers putting up 122 flights (65 Class One, 57 Class Two). Definitely a HIGH POWERED day that kept the skies busy. Had a brief visit from the Colorado State Highway Patrol (2 patrol cars) – Officer Scott Pucket used to be a member that flew with us maybe ten years ago. He was just showing his partner what’s up. Saturday also included Certification Flights and two high altitude flights in arranged “windows” – one hit 26,000′ and change, I’m waiting for info on the other. Saturday night campfire and possibly a beverage too many for some. Sunday morning started slowly – an hour later than planned, and we finished up about 3:30 with 34 different fliers putting up 71 flights (52 Class One and 19 Class Two).

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We’ve checked with the District Ranger and we are OK to proceed as planned with the scheduled 6/1,2,3 launch, subject to normal precautions.
NCR is GO for Mile High Mayhem the first weekend of June on the Pawnee National Grassland at NCR’s North Site. On-site registration ($20.00) will be available Friday, June 1st, Saturday June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd. Limited edition T-shirts have been printed, vendors have been contacted, raffle prizes collected and Port-A-Potties have been ordered for the weekend. Our waiver will be a constant 20,000’ AGL, with anticipated “windows of opportunity” for higher altitudes shots. Please let me know ASAP if you’re planning any “window” shots. We anticipate having the range set up and ready by 9 AM on Friday, and we’ll operate until 6 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, the range and waiver will be open at 8 AM. Wristbands will be required for ALL flyers and ALL High Power flyers will need to be registered ($20.00). Proof of current NAR or TRA membership is required for high powered flying. The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with characteristically light winds and comfortable temperatures for Spring on the prairie with the probability of afternoon thunder showers. Come prepared for all types of weather. This should be an awesome weekend for flying. Please remember that Range Safety is in everyone’s best interest. NO “sparky” motor types allowed.

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Dubious start Saturday morning. A good three to four inches of moisture on the ground, heavy cloud cover and only about 20 degrees. But incredibly, a fair number of folks believing conditions would improve. Lots of time standing around, reviewing options and discussing a little bit of everything before we started to unload the trailer and get the range set up. By 11:30, we we’re flying high into clear skies and with slightly warmer temps. 20 different flyers launched a total of 40 flights ( 16 Class One, 24 Class Two), including the Team from CSU testing air brakes for their ESRA IREC (Experimental Sounding Rockets Association’s Intercollegiate Rocketry Engineering Competition) Spaceport America Cup launch in June, a Team from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga attempting to set a new I class multi-staged altitude record (great flight but well short of current record), two members seeking High Power Certification flights, John Jamieson’s all time best altitude flight to 14, 334′ and there were even calm enough winds for Vic to launch his RC controlled rocket boosted glider for a marvelous flight and beautifully executed soft landing.