Model Rockets

[Nebarnix]

Ok so someone here has to know.

Every park I've been to around the area (Mesa, Tempe, Chandler,
Gilbert) mentions that model rockets are prohibited. Besides the
obvious and pointless question of why, where DO people go to launch
small rockets? I've been turning the idea around in my head of making
a tiny little staging system using microgram quantities of explosives
in a small C or D sized rocket. But where to test!

I guess there's always the "launch and run" but it would be neat not
to get harassed by the authorities :)

Jasper

[Paul Hickey]

googling around i found this group

http://www.ahpra.org/local_launch.html

They do launches every 4th Saturday of the month and seem to have some agreement with the land owner.  May not be ideal but seems to be legal

Paul

[Jim Serio]

I don't know is ASU prohibits these but one two occasions (one just last month) I've seen several people launch them from the SRC field.

On Wed, Jun 9, 2010 at 10:32 AM, Nebarnix <nebar...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Nathanael Phillips]

That's a good question, Jasper.

I've been looking to start up the HSL "Rocket Car Racing League", but
I have no idea where to do them, either.

That being said...I have a pair of massively empty fields by my house,
where you could probably operate for an afternoon without any
authorities showing up. I'm up at 19th Ave and Bell Rd, though. It's
around a 45m drive from Gangplank.

[Karl Kammerzell]

I saw people launching them at Steele Indian School Park in February.

I don't know if they were legal but there were 5 pads and 20 people out there launching.

Karl 

[Alan Dayley]

We have succesfully launched several times without harassment on early Saturday mornings from the large retension field at Freestone Park in Gilbert.  Maybe we've been lucky and/or the authorities are still sleeping in.

In any case, because of your question, I cannot claim ignorance any longer. Thanks a lot! ;-)

Alan

[Nebarnix]

Ok, that's good to know! Freestone park is probably the closest
option. Without a reliable car (and without AC at that!) the other
options just aren't worth it. Its weird to me to have this craziness
over model rockets. In Idaho I don't think I ever saw a park (even a
downtown park) that prohibited model rockets.

Jasper

[Rick Osgood]

On top of that, I heard (I can't remember who told me) that flying RC planes is illegal in this area.  I haven't looked into that yet so it could have just been some rumour.  Does anyone have any info on that?  I don't have an RC plane (yet) but I've been curious after looking into UAV stuff.

[John Kittelsrud]

Many of the parks started to prohibit rocket launches after the Frisbee Golf players complained. Plus there is that ever present fire danger. I wonder if you could just do your launch from the BBQ grill. Might make it a little safer.
-John

On Wed, Jun 9, 2010 at 1:49 PM, Nebarnix <nebar...@gmail.com> wrote:

[John Kittelsrud]

Yes, same group from what I hear. All my info is second/third hand so if someone has first hand dealings with the rangers please speak up.
-John

[Paul Hickey]

Bunch of Nazis in this area. Geez

Paul Hickey

sent from my android phone

On Jun 9, 2010 2:12 PM, "John Kittelsrud" <joh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yes, same group from what I hear. All my info is second/third hand so if someone has first hand dealings with the rangers please speak up.
-John

On Wed, Jun 9, 2010 at 2:09 PM, Rick Osgood <ri...@heatsynclabs.org> wrote:
>

> On top of that, I...

[Nebarnix]

Don't forget the news about the Chandler Bark Park -- buncha people
moved in next to a dog park, and then had the nerve to raise a formal
complaint against the barking!! Wow, new level of stupid.

Anyway, yes I have seen that RC airplanes (along with a HUUUUUGE list
of other things) are banned at the Chandler parks that I've been to.
Good thing too, I mean, I'd for one would hate to see a sense of
community around here (apart from communal bitching?).

Ahem...
Jasper

[Rick Osgood]

Can we start our own maker neighbourhood?  We'll have an HOA that REQUIRES you to have some kind of monstrous project half-completed on your front lawn.

[John Kittelsrud]

For Phoenix:
http://phoenix.gov/CITYCODE/ch024.html

Sec. 24-49. - Remote control aircraft.

A. No person may fly any remote controlled or self-propelled aircraft, including, but not limited to, radio controlled or control line model airplanes, helicopters, and gliders, in a park or preserve except in parks designated by the Director or designee in flying sites that meet the requirements of Subsection C of this Section.

B. In parks designated for operation of remote control aircraft, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Safety Code is to be observed in flying radio-controlled or control line model airplanes, helicopters, and gliders. Persons flying radio controlled or control line model airplanes, helicopters, and gliders shall follow AMA guidelines and produce a current Academy of Model Aeronautics membership card. Only one remote control aircraft may be flown at a time.

C. Flying sites shall at all times remain unobstructed and a safe distance away from other park users. Dimensions of flying sites shall be no less than 400 feet on all sides. For purposes of this Section, "unobstructed" means an open park area that is level and free of trees, structures, and fences, and that is fully accessible for the retrieval of launched aircraft.

D. Children younger than 16 years of age shall be accompanied by an adult when flying model aircraft in City parks.

E. Model aircraft that exceed any of the specifications listed below may only be flown in City parks or preserves where there is a specifically developed model aircraft flying site with spectator control fencing, established runways, flight pads or flying circles, and safety barriers for the protection of pilots and callers.

1. Fueled radio controlled model airplanes with an engine size of .20 cubic inches, wingspan of 60 inches, or weight of 3 pounds.

2. Electric powered radio controlled model airplanes with a wingspan of 80 inches or weight of 3 pounds.

3. Radio controlled helicopters with a main blade diameter of 40 inches or a weight of 3 pounds.

4. Radio controlled gliders with a wingspan of 80 inches or weight of 3 pounds.

5. Control line model airplanes with a single engine size of .25 cubic inches

***************

Sec. 24-49.1 - Model rockets
A. No person may use any model rocket in a park or preserve except in parks designated by the Director or his or her designee in launch sites that meet the requirements of Subsection C of this Section.

B. Persons using model rockets in a designated park shall observe and abide by the National Association of Rocketry Safety Code and Safety Zone Requirements. Rockets shall not be launched in unsafe weather conditions or when wind speeds are greater than 20 miles per hour.

C. Launch sites shall be unobstructed and a safe distance from other park users. For purposes of this Section, "unobstructed" means an open park area that is level, free of trees, structures and fences, and is fully accessible for retrieval of launched equipment. Dimensions shall be no less than 400 feet on all sides.

D. Only rocket engines sizes "A" or "B" are permitted. Rocket engine size "C" and larger are prohibited from launching in parks.

E. Children younger than 16 years of age shall be accompanied by an adult when launching model rockets in parks.

There was also a listing of parks that would allow R/C planes but it only exists in the Google cache now:
http://tinyurl.com/phxrcplanes
-John

[Paul Hickey]

Ok called around on the model rockets.  Need to call Mesa and Scottsdale still but I got Gilbert and Chandler

Chandler

Mesquite Grove Park at Riggs and Val Vista is the only park where you are allowed to shoot off model rockets.
You must make a special request 10 days prior to the event and can pick up the permit at the Tumbleweed Recreation Area or at the Parks and Recreation office

Gilbert

Crossroads Park
A,B,C & D engines allowed.
Must have a 100-500ft clearance from ANYTHING

McQueen Park
A & B Engines only
100-200ft clearance

Freestone Park
A,B,C & D engines allowed.
Must have a 100-500ft clearance from anything

At all places you must have a Ranger approve of your launch site

You can pick up an information sheet for model rockets at the Parks & Rec office at building 90.  I guess it gives you all necessary information.

I might try to pick one up when I have time.

Pretty reasonable actually.

Paul

[Nebarnix]

Yeah that's not bad at all. Does it mention anything about a fee for
the ranger to approve the site? I know someone who launched a 'G'
rocket from freestone park. They left before anyone could say anything
but they got away with it.

[Paul Hickey]

They didn't mention a fee.  I asked about permit costs and they both said there was none.

I can imagine most park rangers won't know jack about rockets anyway.

Paul

[Rick Osgood]

I put all this information in the wiki so we won't have to go hunting it down later on:

http://heatsynclabs.org/wiki/Model_Rockets
http://heatsynclabs.org/wiki/Model_Aircraft

Feel free to add more info as you find it.

[Alan Dayley]

Thanks for making a record of the information. And thanks, Paul for
making the phone calls.

Good deal!

Alan

[Paul Hickey]

Had some time to kill at work.  Was the perfect thing to fill it

Paul

[Todd Harrison]

So did we ever do the rocket cars on strings?

I asked because I found a rocket car with string loops.  It must have been from a school project.  I had to fix it but it could be added to that gathering if we ever do rocket cars on strings.

[Harry Meier]

On the RC plane topic I see groups flying all the time out of the parking lot Gilbert Rodeo park. Not sure who runs the show there (Gilbert Quiet Fliers?), but they seemed pretty active when I used to run the canal path by there. This thread seems to have a bunch of places listed. 

[Nebarnix]

Orbital Sciences has their annual rocket derby at the gilbert rodeo
grounds but I wasn't sure if it was a special use thinger. Sure is a
lot of fun to see rocket scientists' personal rockets flying E and G
engines :)

Jasper

[Kel]

I was gonna let this go, but I can't...
In reference to the Bark Park... As someone who has lived in the same
house for 22 years and actually thought the Bark Park was a good idea
when they put it in some 15 years ago, I can tell you it's a curse.
90 percent of the people who are trying to get it shut down lived here
BEFORE they put in the Bark Park. So, whomever told you that we
bought homes here knowing we would be hearing barking dogs all evening
long is wrong. It's not just the barking, it's the people yelling at
each other and fights! cause after all, their dog is more important.
It's the odor that comes from the park regularly, and it's the awful
amount of traffic it has created in the neighborhood. It was fine the
first couple of years, but a large chunk of the people who use it,
aren't even residents of Chandler. Before you ridicule anyone, try
having a friggin kennel in your back yard for a few years. Way off
topic I know, but it's a pretty touchy subject for someone who has to
endure it day in and day out. And for the record, I have two dogs,
well trained and I refuse to take them there, seriously, I don't want
them exposed to all the other dogs viruses!

[Jacob Rosenthal]

Hah! :)

[Nebarnix]

Dog virii are a serious concern (PV epecially) I'll definitely give
you that. The news story that I read had gotten it wrong then about
who was there first and made it sound like the people moved there
because the park was such an attraction. I didn't at all mean to imply
that you were stupid Kel.

I used to hang out at the non-dog-side of the park a lot last yet
before I moved, I never noticed any problems with noise or smell. I
don't have dogs, I just lived pretty close by. But then again I wasn't
there all day so I can't compare.

As for fights, the feral cats around my new Mesa apartment are much
more annoying (they always happen right as I start to get some real
sleep, 2 AM ish and scare the CRAP out of me before I realize that's
going on and it goes on for hours). Well, sometimes its fighting and
sometimes its...

Jasper

[Paul Hickey]

We have a real cat problem at my apartment complex too.  Most of them are infected with Feline Leukemia which I believe is transmitted in utero and through saliva, so if you have outdoor cats, they can easily get it.

If the problem is REALLY bad, then you can call animal control and tell them about it and they will assess the problem, then trap, spay and/or neuter and release so other cats don't come in and take over the territory.

BTW the Parvo problem right now is REALLY bad so be careful when taking your dogs to dog parks or even meeting up with other dogs.  My girlfriend is a Vet Tech and they are getting an unusual amount of Parvo infections right now, even in dogs that are just at home most of the time.

Paul

[Nathanael Phillips]

@Todd --

If you found a rocket car, bring it!

Once we get this balloon done, I'll probably start some more in-depth
work into the rocket cars.

On Jun 10, 8:12 am, Paul Hickey <paulhic...@gmail.com> wrote:
> We have a real cat problem at my apartment complex too.  Most of them are
> infected with Feline Leukemia which I believe is transmitted in utero and
> through saliva, so if you have outdoor cats, they can easily get it.
>
> If the problem is REALLY bad, then you can call animal control and tell them
> about it and they will assess the problem, then trap, spay and/or neuter and
> release so other cats don't come in and take over the territory.
>
> BTW the Parvo problem right now is REALLY bad so be careful when taking your
> dogs to dog parks or even meeting up with other dogs.  My girlfriend is a
> Vet Tech and they are getting an unusual amount of Parvo infections right
> now, even in dogs that are just at home most of the time.
>
> Paul
>

[Todd Harrison]

Will do.