2 Agua Blanca launches this spring!

[James Cramton]

Hello SARA members,

Great news, folks...we have now received our BLM permit renewal for the Agua Blanca launch site, and we have 2 launches planned this spring at this rustic launch site with a waiver ceiling of 14,838 ft above ground level. This launch site is well suited for high power flights, with its high altitude waiver and its large recovery area (2.5 nautical mile diameter). The site is open desert ranch land, with saguaro, creosote, and mesquite trees, but some areas have a lot of ravines that can make a long distance recovery challenging; I recommend GPS trackers for high altitude flights. 

We hope you'll be able to join us at one of these launches; I am hoping to fly a new GoPro 360 video camera rocket on a J to 3500 ft and an L to 13,000 ft. We have flown up to M power at this launch site. Due to the BLM fees and the difficult logistics of launches at this site, all flyers and spectators pay a fee. Feel free to check out the registration information at the SARA launch site, and register beforehand so we can determine whether or not we have enough people to support the launch.

Friday - Saturday April 25 - 26, 2025

https://sararocketry.org/event-6102798

Friday - Saturday, May 23 - 24, 2025

https://sararocketry.org/event-6112355

Now, some details for those interested...

Our standard pattern for these launches is to meet at the TIMPA barn at 3 pm Friday to distribute launch equipment and fire fighting gear into vehicles before caravaning out to the launch site, about 15 minutes' drive from TIMPA. We'll fly some Class 1 flights as time permits Friday afternoon, and if wind direction permits, we may fly some Class 1 night flights. Overnight truck bed camper or tent camping is available and encouraged, as we like to get flying as soon as daylight permits on Saturday morning. We fly till Noon, then pack up and drive the gear back to the TIMPA barn by 1 pm Saturday. But it is worth noting that this location has no facilities at all...no water, no shade, no restrooms, so you need to bring whatever you may need; We do have a cat litter style portable toilet with a privacy tent in case of an emergency, but it is easy enough to drive the 30 minute round trip to the restrooms at TIMPA.

The drive is along an occasionally maintained dirt road that runs along a wash in some places, so we recommend vehicles with at least 7 inches of ground clearance; most modest SUVs and trucks should be fine when the road conditions are good. I've driven a Subaru Outback and a Toyota Rav4 without issue. If you don't drive a suitable vehicle, indicate that during registration, and we can try to find a carpool for you. We caravan in case anyone gets stuck. I will post a road conditions video to the SARA website the week before the launch so you can have a better gauge of how rough the road is. Cell phone service drops off quickly west of the launch site, but is adequate in the eastern portion.  We operate a GMRS base station at the launch site on GMRS Channel 18, so we recommend bringing an FRS or GMRS radio for local communications.

If you have questions, feel free to email me.

James

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James Cramton
ja...@cramton.com
401 345 9795