Spokane Area Rocket Club

June Club Meeting

June 22, 2006

It's time for a club meeting this Saturday June 24, 2006. 10:30 am at HobbyTown at the North Division Y. Hope to see you there!

Posted by ray at 06:32 AM | Comments (0)

WheatChex '06 is a go!

June 09, 2006

Even though rain is predicted. We are hopeful that it will be patch and scattered at worst.

Sunday weather is looking much better than Saturday.

Come out and join us!

Posted by ray at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)

Launch on Saturday and Sunday June 10 and 11, 2006

June 07, 2006

Just a simple reminder that SPARC is holding Wheatchex this coming weekend. This is our "premier" launch of the year. It is two days, both Saturday and Sunday. Set up begins at 9:00am and we can always use help, launch begins at 10:00am. We'll stop launching later than normal because its two days. Sunday will begin around 8am or so...no definite times, just when people are ready to go, we'll try to stop around 3:30 or 4:00 and clean up the site. We can always use help tearing down of the GSE. The weather looks a bit unsettled for the weekend, so check the website and keep an eye on the list for a final confirmation.

I want to inform all of a slight change to the RSO procedures. We have discovered that we are not in complete compliance with NAR guidelines with regard to the way we have done the RSO process in the past. We have made a few additions that we as the SPARC BOD see a need for. The RSO process we will be following is detailed below.

1-All rockets of 80NS or greater of total impulse will require an RSO sign off prior to flight. This will include single "G" motors, two "F" motors, etc.

2-We will have an assigned (or volunteered) head RSO designated for the launch, there will also be deputy RSO's. The Head RSO must be a NAR senior member, Level 2 certified or greater and a member of SPARC. Deputy RSO's must be at least level one certified and 18 years of age.

3-We will clearly Identify the RSO's for the launch.

4-The SPARC president and the SPARC BOD can override the head RSO's decisions

5-The Head RSO will have the final say on whether or not a rocket can fly subject to the SPARC president and the SPARC BOD decisions. The head RSO should be looking for safety concerns, while the SPARC president and BOD will be looking for public relations and general perception of the club.

6-Deputy RSO's can RSO rocket that launch on 80NS to 1279NS (G thru J) total impulse.

7-The Head RSO will sign off on any launch of 1280NS ("K" impulse) or greater total impulse

8-All level 1 certifications must be RSO'd by the Head RSO.

9-All level 2 certifications must be RSO'd by the Head RSO and a deputy RSO.

10-A member of the certification team (for level 1 or level 2) can not serve as the RSO for that flight. The only exception to this rule is if the only level two flier or greater on site is serving as Head RSO and a certification member, a deputy RSO must also sign off on the flight in this case.

11-All rockets to be RSO'd must have a recovery system that will assure a descent rate of 25 ft/s maximum. Dual deployment flights must recover rate of the main recovery system at 25 ft/s maximum. If there is doubt that the recovery system will not provide for a maximum of 25 ft/s descent rate, the flier will be required to show proof that the recovery system will allow for a safe descent at less than 25 ft/s. A rock sim simulation will be accepted, parachute chart, etc.

The SPARC BOD will select from those that volunteer the people that can serve as head RSO and Deputy RSO's.

All in all a good set of rules to follow, you'll notice that in a couple of areas that we are tighter than the NAR rules, however, our intent is to have a safe launch first and a fun launch second to that...All RSO's will endeavor to make the process as painless as safety will allow. We'd appreciate your understanding while complying with the new rules.

Thank you,

Ray Stoner
SPARC President

Posted by ray at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)