 The following Minutes of the Annual Meeting have been edited and fluffed for better reading and accuracy. Please direct comments or questions to informed sources for clarification or substantiation of the facts. Respectfully submitted by Glenn-Colon Bonet and Joe Hinton.
Northern Colorado Rocketry 2010 Annual Meeting, Jan 9
Delicious lunch served at 12:15 - more than sixty folks in attendance.
Meeting called to order at 12:50PM
Lots of Raffle Prizes given away, unclear where some came from. Thanks to all donors!
- Estes Kit
- Several Performance Rocketry T-shirts –Thanks 3 Dogs
- Estes SR-71
- 3 copies of MHM DVD 2009 - Thanks Rockets Magazine
- T-shift – Rocket propelled Basset Hound –Thanks NCR
- Thunderbird Kit – Thanks Secret Santa
- Quest C6-5 engines – Thanks Cool Rocket Stuff
- Year in Space desk calendars –Thanks Joe
- Parachute PITA – Cool Rocket Stuff
- Rockets Magazine
- Tripoli Decal
- Ray LaPanse 2008 MHM DVD – Thanks Ray
- Tripoli T-shirt – Thanks NCR
- PITA parachute protector – Cool Rocket Stuff
- 3 x J570 motor –NCR
- Rockets of the World book – Thanks NAR
- J420R motor – Thanks NCR
- Gizmo Performance Rocketry Kit from 3 Dogs
Agenda
- Opening – Year in Review
- 18 launch dates proposed, held 13
- Launched 1268 flights (2008 1643, 2007 1026, 2006 1174) – ¼ high power
- 2009 25 Certs - 2 Jr’s, 10 L1, 6 L2, 7 L3 – congrats to the new certs!
- 19 M’s, 1 O! in 2009
- Reminder to login to web page to get news
- Outreach – Akron, CO for National Radial Engine Exhibition – NCR had a tent/display, talked to 4H kids and adults; Meals on Wheels event – NCR sponsored a tree
- USFS Land Use Permit / Fire Investigation Report Jon Halverson & Joe Hinton
- Nov 7, fire caused by small rocket, burned 64.1 acres, notified shortly afterward to cease and desist operations until permit in place. Not allowed to fly, permit in progress
- Jon Halverson – Ranger for USFS Pawnee – fire incident in Nov caused USFS to re-evaluate whether launches can continue on Pawnee – we will be issued a permit. With luck, may be in place by Feb launch (Feb 6). Jon expressed thanks that NCR has been good at cooperating with USFS, good track record – this is what helped convince USFS to proceed with permit. Question – what type of equipment should we invest in as much of our fire equipment was destroyed in fire. Fire training would also be very helpful to the membership. Doug Young – one of our members is trained on wildland firefighting. Yes, USFS would be happy to provide that type of training. Need to have quorum of trained firefighters at each launch. We have 6 water fire extinguishers, 2 brooms have been replaced. New mud flaps have been replaced – all equipment is ready at this point. Weed sprayers – large capacity water tank, perhaps on an ATV for emergency use. Members – please bring extra water and equipment when you come out to launches. Last year was exceptional in terms of vegetation growth – led to a large amount of fuel. We will not be allowed to continue until a signed permit is on file. Permit is good for 5 years (longest park service can issue). Could USFS help us be aware of fire danger level? Jon indicated they will look into this and how we could receive guidance, and we must be willing to close launches due to fire safety. USFS will not allow skidmark (high spark ) motors to fly on Pawnee. Fire ring will still be able to be used, subject to campfire restrictions. Are there other concerns from ranchers or other users / residents – what can we do to help – major concern is from cattle ranchers – range bulletin will be sent to graze lease holders so they know our launch schedule. Can permit be revoked and why – if violation of terms & conditions, failure to pay fee, violation of operating plan. We should make a summary of the conditions published on NCR website. Will this be more restrictive than our current operations? A few changes will be required, but not substantial changes. Require notification if any fires occur, notification ahead of time to volunteer fire departments, few changes needed to operations during launches. Jon believes this is a valid use and we have a good track record. Use of both sites will be included in the permit. The permit is needed to properly authorize flights under the NCR flight schedule / affiliated events only. Private launches are not authorized to fly in the Pawnee – non club related rocket launch activities are illegal.
- Other news – Joe
- US BATFE published annual update in today’s Federal Register (Jan 8) – specifically removes APCP from the list!!!! What does that mean to LEUP holders? Do not need to store in explosives locker.
- High altitude Observatory UCAR – Greg Card
- Sunrise Project – high altitude balloon observatory
- Launched solar observation telescope with weather balloon to look at photosphere of the sun. 35km resolution imaging of magnetic fields. Balloon needed because need to observe UV, ozone absorbs UV, need to rise above turbulence to get resolution, balloon launch much less expensive than satellite launch ($5-7M for balloon flight project)
- Size at 120k feet – zero pressure helium balloon 439’ diameter when fully expanded during flight – severe temperature swings (-70 to -20, very poor cooling capability as near vacuum). Difficult environment for electronic payload. Test flight exposed thermal problems and pointing accuracy problems. Landing of test flight had rough landing, approx 200 miles distance from launch. 2 hours to get to float, 1000’ per minute ascent, 30 min descent, 12mph landing velocity, 7000 lb payload – 5000 cubic meters of Helium
- At cutdown, payload and balloon have transponders to let air traffic control spot the unmanned craft.
- Mirror is a lightweight glass/ceramic hybrid, machined out to reduce weight – diameter is 1m, cost $1.5M. Balloon is .8 mil thick (thin plastic similar to plastic wrap)
- FAA Waiver Report – Joe Hinton
- 12,000K at Atlas, 20K windows at North site, call in windows 2 dates in July 10 and 11 , MHM, Oktoberfest, November 6,7 , windows to 35K, options to do night launch if proper arrangements made.
- Class 1 – no waiver required
- Class 2 – Waiver required
- Class 3 – Individuals need to pursue on their own - currently, we will not fly these with NCR
- Elections –
- Joe Hinton – Club President – Joe won by (nearly) unanimous verbal vote of the membership – congratulations Joe
- TRA Prefect – Joe Hinton accepted nomination, ran unopposed – Received 24/36 votes, Warren Musselmen 11/36 – Joe is Prefect.
- Secretary – Glenn Colon-Bonet accepted nomination and ran unopposed – received 28/36 votes, Ken Plattner 3/36 - Glenn is secretary.
- TRA Research Launches / New Safety Rules – Joe Hinton
- BOD of NAR - clubs affiliated with Tripoli only are TRA insurance, NAR uses NAR insurance, dual affiliation must declare whether a launch is TRA or NAR. TRA research launch, only TRA members are covered, NAR members may not fly.
- Oktoberfest moved to not conflict with antelope season
- No launches in June – support Tripoli Colorado Spring Fling also LDRS Lucerne June 10-15
- No August launch – support SCORE - NARAM 52 in Pueblo, July 30 – Aug 6 and Chili Blaster - dates to be determined.
- MHM is over Memorial Day weekend
- Proposed NCR Launch Schedule (permit pending) and Sanctioning Org.
- Sat, Feb 6 Atlas NAR
- Sat March 6 Atlas NAR
- Apr 10 North TRA
- May1 North NAR Pawnee Open (backup date May 2)
- May 28-29 North NAR Mile High Mayhem
- May 30-31 North TRA MHM Research
- Jul 10 North NAR
- Jul 11 North TRA Research
- Sep 11 North TRA
- Oct 8-9 North NAR Oktoberfest
- Oct 10-11 North TRA Research Oktoberfest (Oct 11 is Columbus Day)
- Nov 6 North TRA (backup date Nov 7)
- Dec 4 Atlas NAR (backup date Dec 5)
- Jan 1,2011 Atlas NAR
- Dates and NAR/TRA affiliations were approved by membership as listed.
- Treasury / Membership Information
- Permit fee – plan to pay in advance
- Will we raise fees for MHM / Oktoberfest – currently about break even – propose we keep fees same (breakeven)
- Balance is approx $2500 in treasury, current fees are covering operating expenses
- Forest Service is proposing 3% fee of gross income, tied in to permit cost
- Membership – 32 renewals, 18 new members, 1 lifetime member, 61 current members, 36 past due, 51 lifetime
- Equipment – Ed Dawson
- Need some odds and ends, but equipment is in good shape
- Fixed hybrid, added rails and replaced faulty Panavise heads
- PA – rent or buy? Looking for the right deal.
- Bylaws review
- No proposed changes. Bylaws are published on the website.
- MHM and Oktoberfest
- No change to the MHM/Oktoberfest fees
- Vendors
- 3 Dogs Rocketry – John Wilke – Carrying Performance Rocketry fiberglass kits/parts – Promo deal - if you buy 38mm reload from Joe and kit from John, will get 38mm free casing. Performance Rocketry website – prices have gone up 10%, purchases today are at old price – saving you 10-12%. Kit coming out this spring – 3 dogs 54mm min diameter glass with certified tailcone for use with existing reloads - $160-170 – tailcone included ($75 value).
- Tim Thomas – no longer a Giant Leap rep, new rep is now Joe Hinton – motors and hardware only – will not be hauling everything, but will bring requested items to launch – motojoe4glr@yahoo.com – good prices and good delivery, generally speaking 3 week lead time on motors
- Cool Rocket Stuff – Jon Skuba – parachutes, protectors, Loki motors, Quest motors, RoadRunner motors, rail buttons, stainless hardware, centering rings, Dennis’ grit sticks, ignitor kits,
- Featherweight Altimeters – Adrian Adamson – new Raven altimeter 4 event recording altimeter, barometric & accelerometer – high end altimeter capabilities for $149, very small form factor
- Contests and Awards – Warren Musselman
- Rookie of the Year – 51 flights – Max and Larry Hays
- Frequent Flyer – Bill Beggs – 70 flights in 2 days
- AP Bonfire – Scott Evans 10.745 Kilo grams
- LCO of the Year – 371 flights in 2 days – Warren Musselman
- Big Tow Award – Ken Riley – towed the trailer the most
- Single Shot Sweepstakes – 0 flights –
- Super Single Shot – 1 Entry – giving money back
- Alphabet Contest – John Wilke – up through M – were interesting challenges – John is rolling that over into next years contest – Thanks John! 15 people participated – new caveat – must have built the rocket yourself for the 2010 contest. A-x, must build yourself (no borrowing rockets), acme fin cans OK. Closes at MHM. Joe will organize Alphabet contest
- Going to change other contests around for 2010 – new contest – Triple Shot Sweepstakes – single rocket, 3 shots – same rocket on D-E-F (L0 version), $20. L1 version – G, H, I, max cum altitude. Leave entries open throughout year.
- Upscale contest – decided not to pursue this, there is a NAR contest, but NCR is not planning to run a contest
- Icarus – old contest was to fly an I motor to 10K feet, over loses, $5 entry, $5 per flight – simpler version – altitude is 2,010 feet – any motor, any rocket $20 to get in, pay as you go $5 per additional flight (first one is included with entry fee), $5 penalty assessed if you go over any declared flight, closest to 2010’ (no overage) wins pot.
- Mach Buster – I600 – have to break mach, max altitude, maximum mach number – belief that would need some way to verify mach (accelerometer) – probably prize only, no entry fee – maximum speed is the goal
- Web Site – Warren Musselman / Jeremiah Johnson
- Would like to do online registration, etc – need PHP programmer
- Need content writers for the website
- Huge Praise for behind the scenes management/clean up/security
- More folks need to use Forums
- New Business
- May need additional firefighting equipment – more flappers / fire extinguishers – will determine needs based on requirements from forest service
- Need to train LCOs / RSOs – want to take one of the next launches and provide official training – level 2’s are needed to help
- If anyone needs help with a large MIA rocket recovery – can coordinate through the website – Aerial Search and Rescue
- Adjourn
- Meeting is adjourned at 3:40PM
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