Tripoli South Florida

Not too surprisingly, Fathers Day at the rocket field wasn’t busy at all. We have a new Member that joined this month, Wayne P. He came up from the keys to see the rockets fly and the biggest one off was his! A fins and a nosecone rocket kind of thing that flew great in spite of some last minute modifications.
Also, Mike brought out a miniature camera that mounts onto an airframe bracket so it can go on any rocket and includes an integrated usb to plug it right in and download the video files immediately. Super cool – we’re waiting for the video to be emailed any day

It was a beautiful day at any rate.

It has been about a month since the last launch and it will be time to do it again on Father’s day.
If you haven’t been outdoors, summer is here. The mornings start out at 89 F and 80% humidity and go up from there. There will be mirages out on the sand an hopefully lots of blue in the sky.

I predict the weather will be blazing sun and afternoon showers so bring something really cool!

March had a nice but overcast day we had 3 cert 1 flights including Martin, Clay and Chris in the Level ! group.
Later, Don’s spectacular 2 stager broke through the cloud barrier, let’s do those on sunny days from now on. Go to the links to see the videos on my picasa page.

April 18th was a wash out. After looking at the weather radar there didn’t seem to be a good reason to go. The map below  shows rain all over the field for a very soggy day down south.

From 2010

Lets come back in May

Click HERE and and it will take you to the picasa page where some of these pics are videos. See Don’s Awesome Airstart and his loud sparky M take flight. Beautiful stuff! Thanks Big D.

The last day of February was cold and windy but as clear and blue as it could be without a cloud in the sky all day. later the wind calmed down to a nice 5 knots

Congratulations to  Members Mike I and Ray R for successful Level 1 cert launchs.

Don B had several spectacular launches including a redline 2 stager and a sparky cesaroni 54mm. I got video and will be posting one of these days.

It was nice to see both new and familiar faces out on the field, welcome back Bob C. Bob went with us to to Orangeburg, SC back in 2000 and helped with Deville’s 3M cluster Freedom ‘Fiter.

Next launch is scheduled for March 28

A conflict in schedule for our regular weekends has the launch moved back a week.

Happy Holidays.

The third Sunday falls on Dec. 20. This’ll be the last launch of the year for the group.
We will be collecting annual dues for members in January and I will try to make up a roster of the members so I’ll probably be emailing for more info from some folks. In the mean time I hope you’ll enjoy this video of our  October Launch
Thanks to Rey we have some pictures of the November experience. I really like that picture of Don with his 2 stage on the mega pad. See the link to his site on the left.

There sure has been a lot of enthusiasm for flying rockets lately!  Such enthusiasm they can’t get enough in once a month.  I understand that launches are taking place about every other week; and certifications are happening monthly. It is a little alarming actually, how fast people are diving into the alphabet race even to the point of skipping letters so it seems.  Actually, I’m glad to see others jumping in so quickly because the club needs new people with excitement in their approach.

Even though we have a monthly launch other launches are being held. There are research launches that by Tripoli rules are not supposed to be held on the same calendar day as a commercial motor launch. Then there are the fun launches. We have approval from Mr Strano to use the land but it is important to respect the rules of the field and keep it clean. Both Paul and Jose C have been given copies of the waiver so these launches can be hi-power legit by the FAA.

This coming launch I plan to get there early and leave early because my family is having a get together sort of an early Thanksgiving. So If there are certs that need signing off Let’s have them ready. Tom – I have a 38mm H if you want to use it.

Lastly, although it isn’t obvious in the rule book, ONLY members over 18 can be  certified by Tripoli.

JS

The group is really growing in size! With this kind of participation we are going to need to delegate some responsibilities to our active members. Tripoli national requires that we think like a club with an organized leadership and so forth. With this in mind  we should start planning something that hasn’t happened in a long time – elections. January seems like a good time for these kind of events so start thinking now of who you want to be responsible for YOUR club.

I’m going to put the burden of the election on Marc S’s shoulders as far as making and counting ballots. Hey, he volunteered to be secretary! We’re going to need a Prefect, President, VP, treasurer, secretary and various minions who are willing to act as LCO, RSO, fee collector, membership keeper, etc.

Also, I have put a poll up about money; this is typically a touchy subject so having a poll means I don’t have to go around asking uncomfortable questions. TSF is obligated to pay TRA $100.00 annual charter fees that help to pay the TRA insurance. Annual dues to our small club will now cover this easily.  Additional funds can be used for cert flight H motors or whatever the leaders decide. Maybe a party, a gift for Mr. Strano our gracious land owner, or contest prizes.

The choices are self explanatory. You can vote on multiple items so if you say non-members you can also choose a dollar amount.

Have you seen the Facebook page?

The third Sunday seems to be the day that works best for the folks on the poll.  So with that let’s schedule for October 18th. This is likely to be another low power launch if we don’t get any info from the FAA. We will pass on any information when it becomes available.

UPDATE – 10/1/09 – I talked with Pete Acevido from the FAA this morning and he has verbally approved our waiver. I am expecting an emailed copy as well as a hard copy in the mail very soon. SO this month should be ok to do high power!

September 20th turned out to be a very nice day with a big crowd of launchers. Be sure to check out the links to pictures from Rey and Rick.  There are some excellent captures.  The spirit of camaraderie was tremendous with everyone out to fly and have fun.

Congrats to Jose C and Joe D for taking the written part of the level 2 test and passing with ease.

We had some new comers to the launch. Wes joined us with his splendid little flying saucer and there was a father and son, Omar and Richard, passing by who stopped to watch for a while. Martin K was nice enough to let him launch a small rocket, his very first.  Also, Manuel L. has paid in and joined the Prefecture.

Mark S has volunteered to do Secretary duties for the club. I’m not sure what all that entails other than preparing and officiating an actual election at the beginning of 2010. Mark has also said he would put together a facebook page for TSF. That sounds like a link!