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Launch!

Club opportunities for high altititude and high po...
Christian Jackson

All, I'm relatively new to the club. Are there really no scheduled launch dates in Amesbury (or another location supporting high power flights) until late September?


I see a lot of launches in the western US in our calendar? Do we have members traveling out west to participate?

Sam Fineberg

The group in St Albans VT (CRMRC) has launches, as well as the Upstate NY clubs (Metra, URRG, MARS).

Todd Lainhart

The NAR website maintains a calendar of section launches.

Christian Jackson

Thanks for the responses guys. I guess I don't quite get it.

Should I be looking to other clubs in other states if I'm interested in certifying for L1? Or, should I wait until September and do that in Amesbury? Do we even have the required personnel to certify me if I show up in Amesbury with my rocket and paperwork?

Alberton Berry

It's been awhile since I've been there. If I'm not mistaken, the usage of Woodsom Farm by the club is basically controlled by the agreement with the town/land owner(s). CMASS respects/abides by their usage and scheduling of the field. Guessing there are some sports event held during the summer?

I got my L1 at an Amesbury launch many years ago (okay, too many LOLOL). I'm working on my L2 attempt rocket and I'm thinking that I'll fly it at the CRMRC site (bigger field).....

Christian Jackson

Alberton, thanks for the info. So, it looks like maybe an L1 cert flight in Amesbury with our club if there are two people who can sign.


I used to live near the the CRMRC site but I don't get up there often these days. It's good to know that's an option for L2 or high altitude flights if I'm willing to drive 4 hours away.

Sam Fineberg

There are usually certified people around that can sign. If I'm there you only need a single signature :-)


Sam

Kenn Blade

Hi Christian,


To further explain our scheduling at Woodsom Farm, it is a city park regulated by the Park/Rec Department. The section of the farm we use is a hay field which explains why we can't access it for the bulk of the summer. We used to have a July launch there when the city hired a farmer to do two cuttings each year. However, the tall grass provides a good nesting site for bob-o-links and some birders were upset that some nests were being chopped up before the hatchlings had fledged.


That pushed the haying from July to late-August or early-September. The field now only gets one cut. By the time our October and November launches come around, the grass is generally high enough to be bothersome but not long enough to cut and harvest.


Many people get their L1 certs in Amesbury. If the wind cooperates, there generally isn't a problem; we have lots of members who are L1 and L2 with a few L3's thrown in. There are always enough folks around who can witness cert attempts. L2 can be a little trickier depending on your expected altitude, level of experience and my nervousness. We love supporting the hobby and our flyers, but we don't want to have an incident that could lose us the field.

Christian Jackson

Kenn,

Thanks for the background. It makes sense when you describe the constraints. I'm looking forward to some launches in Acton and checking out the Amesbury site in September.

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