Launch Site Search
From LUNARwiki
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What are the characteristics of a viable launch site?
Probably the most important characteristic is size: We are looking for launch sites where, at a minimum, we can fly rockets with A-C motors to altitudes of 900'. This would allow us to support most, if not all, youth group activities. TARC launches typically use motors larger than D but still only go up around 850 feet.
To continue the activities that we have enjoyed for the past 15 years at Robertson Park, we need a field where we can fly rockets with motors up to G to altitudes of 1500'.
We've written a 2 page handout that discusses the criteria for selecting a launch site. You can see it here
Site Owner Insurance Coverage
There are two types of insurance from the NAR and they are separate. The first covers NAR members individually for their rocketry activities. The second covers NAR sections and launch site land owners. Note that flyers at LUNAR launches that are not NAR members are not covered.
The NAR insurance policy provides these coverages:
- Personal: $1,000,000
- Each Occurance: $1,000,000
- General Aggregate Limit: $2,000,000
- Fire Damage: $100,000
- Medical Expense (per person) $5,000
Launch site owners need to be added to the policy to be covered. LUNAR is charged each time we add a new site owner, so we only do it once they've agreed to let us launch. Adding a site to the policy takes a couple of weeks, so take that into account for planning and scheduling purposes. Once the site is added, a "Certificate of Insurance" is issued to LUNAR and the site owner.
If the owner of a potential launch site asks to see the insurance policy, you can give them this Sample Insurance Certificate. If they have more questions or want to see the policy itself (which is kind of over the top), you should direct them to the NAR's insurance agent, Bob Blomster, of JA Price Agency, Inc. He can be reached at 800-279-1623 during business hours, Central time or via email at "bob.blomster@japrice.com". Bob is very responsive but we don't want to bother him unless he's the only one that can answer the question. So, if you do forward someone to Bob, please include me (Craig Saunders) in the loop.
Useful Resources
- List of Potential Launch Sites (Excel workbook)
- Model Rocket Safety Code
- Launch Site Criteria Handout
- LUNAR Presentation in Powerpoint and Handouts in PDF
- Sport Rocketry magazine article on 2007 TARC Finals.
- Sport Rocketry magazine article on TARC Champions Visit Paris and Cover
- Fred Schecter from SCRA wrote a PDF with Useful Info for Obtaining a Launch Site.
Mark Bundick's Advice
Mark Bundick, the President of NAR, provided the following advice on the NAR Sections list in response to a question about how to find a new launch site:
1. Contact local allies; if you've done launches for other groups, Scouts, schools, youth groups, etc., call your contacts. Here's where those few afternoons helping others fly their first rocket bear fruit. Teachers and Scouting leaders are particularly valuable allies. A few telephone calls may be all it takes to get a substantial local backing. And seeing that your group is not only out for #1 helps show you're a good citizen.
2. Offer to schedule a demonstration launch for the decision making body. In my personal experience, nothing tends to win over a suspicious group faster than seeing them fly. If your young members attend and fly at the launch, their infectious enthusiasm, coupled with your club's respect for safety will quickly show local officials they have nothing to fear from your hobby. If you can't get them to agree to a demo, try having someone put together a short video; including any footage from school or Scout launches would be an excellent inclusion.
3. Offer to insure the site you're using. By showing that your group is as responsible and serious about its obligations as the local sporting teams using parks, you show that you're a responsible, serious group.
4. Be prepared to make reasonable compromises. Other organizations may be paying a modest fee to use public park facilities. You should be equally prepared to do so. You will probably have to schedule your launches around other activities. That's perfectly reasonable, too, and can enhance safety. If you begin discussions with the responsible officials by offering to make these and similar concessions, you get the relationship with your site owner off on a cordial footing.
5. Don't be hostile. If you come in quoting the Constitution or talking about lawsuits, defensive barriers are going to be erected by the site owning officials. Whether the law is on your side or not isn't the issue; at the initial stage, it's about proving you're a responsible, good neighbor, asking for reasonable access to public property. Be polite, respectful but firm. However, if the property is public, check the local ordinances. If you can comply with them, on terms that others do, then it's harder for officials to deny access.
6. Don't give up. Administrations, park board members and councilmen come and go. A teacher might need a launch site next semester, and take up your cause. When NIRA had flown nearly 7,000 rockets in the Du Page County, IL forest preserves, and applied for our 1996 site permits, we were abruptly told "you can't do that". A new administrator had arrived on the scene, and said rocket flying was prohibited by ordinance. A year's worth of patient work, coupled with a demo launch, got us back in. Don't give up.
