Seattle Area launching sites?
Joe Shippert
I know this was an issue of discussion last year, and it hasn't been an
problem for a while becasue the weather has been generally very wintery.
But lately, the weather has been nice so I'll bring this up again:
What is the current Seattle area model rocket launching site scene like?
I launched several times in Warren G. Magnuson park and was never given
any grief while launching, but people on this group said it was illegal
to launch there. Later in the season I'd hear it WAS legal to launch at
Magnuson. Still later I heard it was not. D'ohh!!
So what is it? Is there anywhere else to launch in/aournd Seattle?
Thanks!
-Joe
The Silent Observer
Latest information I have, via Michael Park, is that the city is
currently standing by the statement that it is not legal to launch
rockets anywhere within city limits. King County has signage permitting
model rockets up to D motors at 60 Acres Park in Redmond, less than 20
minutes from Seattle if traffic on the brdge isn't too bad, but there is
apparently no other location in King County where rockets are permitted,
though it appears private land bypasses this, hence the Kent Boeing Space
Center launches.
BTW, Joe, we're in process of forming an insured NAR section, with one of
our avowed purposes to get the city to permit launching at Magnuson -- so
far, it's me, Dan French, and Michael Park, with two of us insured and
the third about to get that way. We need two more insured memebers to
form a section... B)
--
A confidence man knows he's lying; that limits his scope. But a
successful shaman believes what he says -- and belief is contagious;
there is no limit to >his< scope. -- Jubal Harshaw, M.D, J.D.
Donald Qualls, aka The Silent Observer NAR # 70141-SR Insured
sil...@ix.netcom.com http://members.aol.com/silntobsvr/home.htm
Rocket Pages http://members.aol.com/silntobsvr/modrocs.htm
Opinions expressed are my own -- take them for what they're worth
and don't expect them to be perfect.
Michael Park
The Silent Observer <sil...@ix.netcom.com> writes:
...
>Latest information I have, via Michael Park, is that the city is
>currently standing by the statement that it is not legal to launch
>rockets anywhere within city limits.
Just a clarification: my conversations with the parks department
have only concerned Seattle parks. I don't know what the city
thinks of rockets on, for instance, private property.
For now, launch at 60 Acres except on the first Sunday of the month,
when you should go to the Monroe launch, and the second Saturday,
when you should attend the Kent launch.
Rocketeers who want to work toward improving the Seattle situation,
please make yourselves known.
--m
Thomas Cox
The Silent Observer <sil...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in article
<3311F5...@ix.netcom.com>...
> Joe Shippert wrote:
> >
> > I know this was an issue of discussion last year, and it hasn't been an
> > problem for a while becasue the weather has been generally very
wintery.
> > But lately, the weather has been nice so I'll bring this up again:
> >
> > What is the current Seattle area model rocket launching site scene
like?
> > I launched several times in Warren G. Magnuson park and was never given
> > any grief while launching, but people on this group said it was illegal
> > to launch there. Later in the season I'd hear it WAS legal to launch at
> > Magnuson. Still later I heard it was not. D'ohh!!
> >
> > So what is it? Is there anywhere else to launch in/aournd Seattle?
>
> Latest information I have, via Michael Park, is that the city is
> currently standing by the statement that it is not legal to launch
> rockets anywhere within city limits. King County has signage permitting
> model rockets up to D motors at 60 Acres Park in Redmond, less than 20
> minutes from Seattle if traffic on the brdge isn't too bad, but there is
> apparently no other location in King County where rockets are permitted,
> though it appears private land bypasses this, hence the Kent Boeing Space
> Center launches.
>
> BTW, Joe, we're in process of forming an insured NAR section, with one of
> our avowed purposes to get the city to permit launching at Magnuson -- so
> far, it's me, Dan French, and Michael Park, with two of us insured and
> the third about to get that way. We need two more insured memebers to
> form a section... B)
Well, it's *legal* in Marymoor park, and I think Lake Sammamish State Park
as well, but I wouldn't recommend them.
As for the section, I'm interested... I would like to talk about what
benefits it might provide before I lay out the $60 for membership and
insurance, though.
And while we're on King County issues, is there any hope of my flying
anything bigger than a G? In terms of purchase, transportation, and
short-term storage, that is - I know I can't *fly* them here. *sigh*
Thanks,
___ ___ ___
(___)------------------(___)----------------------------(___)
| | Thomas W. Cox | | I work for Microsoft, but I | |
| | tw...@seanet.com | | don't speak for them - and | |
|_| tc...@microsoft.com |_| they don't speak for me. |_|
(___)------------------(___)----------------------------(___)
Wayne D Price
Joe Shippert wrote:
>
> I know this was an issue of discussion last year, and it hasn't been an
> problem for a while becasue the weather has been generally very wintery.
> But lately, the weather has been nice so I'll bring this up again:
>
> What is the current Seattle area model rocket launching site scene like?
> I launched several times in Warren G. Magnuson park and was never given
> any grief while launching, but people on this group said it was illegal
> to launch there. Later in the season I'd hear it WAS legal to launch at
> Magnuson. Still later I heard it was not. D'ohh!!
>
> So what is it? Is there anywhere else to launch in/aournd Seattle?
>
>
> -Joe
The parks in Kent have small, blue signs posted at the parking lot as to
what activities are allowed. Launching of rockets IS permitted at some
sites, others I have not checked. Unfortunately, some of the parks do
not have sufficient/uncluttered open areas for launch/retrieval.
A bunch of people go out to Monroe, WA each month (1st Sunday) and fly
model and higer-power rockets (H, I, J, sometimes K and L). The local
prefect is Dave Davis; call him at 932-9299 for more info and
directions.
Best regards,
Wayne
Frank J. Burke
You are wrong about marymoor park. Last time I was there 2 years ago, the park
ranger, or whatever, told me that it was not allowed to fly rockets
in the park. I used to fly from the dog walking area, which was never used much in the
1 foot tall grass. It had a good revery area.
Frank
In article <01bc22a8$69559dc0$df74...@tcox4.dns.microsoft.com>,
Thomas Cox <tc...@microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>
>The Silent Observer <sil...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in article
><3311F5...@ix.netcom.com>...
>> Joe Shippert wrote:
>> >
>> > I know this was an issue of discussion last year, and it hasn't been an
>> > problem for a while becasue the weather has been generally very
>wintery.
>> > But lately, the weather has been nice so I'll bring this up again:
>> >
>> > What is the current Seattle area model rocket launching site scene
>like?
>> > I launched several times in Warren G. Magnuson park and was never given
>> > any grief while launching, but people on this group said it was illegal
>> > to launch there. Later in the season I'd hear it WAS legal to launch at
>> > Magnuson. Still later I heard it was not. D'ohh!!
>> >
>> > So what is it? Is there anywhere else to launch in/aournd Seattle?
>>
Ron Logan
> form a section... B)
What does it take to be an "insured member?" It's been years since I've
been a member of the NAR, and I have no idea what the dues and fees are
like nowadays; I'd be interested in helping if it's not too much. I live in
Kirkland and I pop out to 60 Acres every now and then to shoot off a few
with some friends (lunch-time launches are a great stress-reliever).
Let me know if I can help.
Later--
--Ron Logan
r...@cochin.com
http://www.cochin.com/rocketry/
The Silent Observer
An insured member is one who's purchased the optional insurance coverage
from NAR. That adds $24 to the regular $35 Senior membership (including
the magazine and newsletter), and supplies $1 million in "excess
liability" coverage (meaning it pays after any other insurance you might
have is exhausted, if you have any other applicable coverage from things
like homeowner's policies). It also qualifies you to be counted as one
of the five insured members required to form an insured section; section
insurance is, IIRC, $40 per year for the entire section, and provides a
similar level of liability coverage for the section as a group.
Only an insured section can obtain site insurance (the immediate goal, in
this case, is to be able to offer site insurance in the attempt to obtain
permission to launch at a very attractive Seattle location currently
under prohibition), which protects the land owner against liability in
the case of a rocket-related accident.
I've added you to the mailing list to be notified when we're ready to
have a meeting and formally form up the section. You can join NAR at
their web site, http://www.nar.org/ and follow the links to "How to Join
the NAR." You can also join by mailing in the application that comes
with every Estes rocket kit, along with a check.
Once we have the insured section started up, it won't be necessary to
have insurance of your own to join, as the city will be protected by the
site insurance (assuming they let us use the park we're after even with
that).
Les Trpuer
I would be happy to work for the betterment (is that a word??) of
rocketry in the seattle. Unfortunatly I am in the process of moving
into the area and don't have a lot of free time. Keep me on your
list and contact me this summer -- Things should be calm by then
Les Troyer
TRA# 4832 Level 2
NAR# 68883 (no insurance but could get it if it helps form a
NAR section in the area)
Movin to ISSAQUAH
PS I probably can't make either the Monroe or Kent launches until
May
The Silent Observer
Les Trpuer wrote:
>
> I would be happy to work for the betterment (is that a word??) of
> rocketry in the seattle. Unfortunatly I am in the process of moving
> into the area and don't have a lot of free time. Keep me on your
> list and contact me this summer -- Things should be calm by then
>
> Les Troyer
> TRA# 4832 Level 2
> NAR# 68883 (no insurance but could get it if it helps form a
> NAR section in the area)
>
Looks like we're going to get the five insured members without much
trouble -- we've already got four lined up pretty solid (three alrady
insured, and a fourth about to mail the insurance payment). Meanwhile,
I've put you on the list.
> Movin to ISSAQUAH
>
> PS I probably can't make either the Monroe or Kent launches until
> May
Well, by then the weather should be better... B)