Tri-Cities Rocketeers Range Rules
All aspects of the NAR and TRA Safety Codes for model and high power rocketry will be observed. In order to avoid invalidating NAR and TRA insurance, only rocket motors certified by NAR, TRA or CAR will be allowed to be flown during non-research launch days. Experimental motors (EX) will be allowed to be flown during announced TRA research launch days.
Rocket motors of “A” through “M” impulse are allowed. Rocket motor flights of "L" and "M" impulse must be submitted to the TCR Range Safety Officer Team for review and approval at least 24 hours prior to the planned flight. Submissions the day of the flight may be rejected. This is to verify that the flight will not break the 9000 ft waiver, to insure the recovery of the rocket remains within the boundaries of the launch site, and to prepare for any special ground support equipment needs. If you have any question concerning HP flights please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
An HPR Incident Review Board will review any launch or recovery incidents involving high power rockets. The Review Board will report directly to the TCR Board of Directors.
When the wind speed exceeds five (5) miles per hour, a launch rod velocity of at least four times the wind speed will be required of all rockets flying on “H” impulse or larger rocket motors.
As per NFPA 1127, no igniters will be placed within rocket motors of “G” impulse or larger until the rocket has been safely placed on the launch pad.
A flight card will be filled out for every flight. You can download TCR Flight Card PDF here. Please note that it is a two sided document and both side are required!
All rockets being flown on AP motors of “E” impulse or larger must be safety inspected by a Range Safety Officer (RSO) and signed off as such on the flight card before coming to the Launch Control Officer (LCO) for a pad assignment.
The last RSO inspection will be at 20 minutes prior to the end of the launch day. Please plan accordingly.
Based on their judgment, any RSO can deny any rocket that in their opinion is unsafe to fly. Any decision of an RSO to deny a flight is final. The burden of proof that the rocket will not exceed the waiver falls on the flyer. A hard copy print out of an altitude simulation program from a proven, commercially available rocketry computer simulation program is acceptable proof.
Scale, unproven and/or scratch built designs, regardless of impulse, that are conducting their maiden flight, will be termed a “heads up” flight, and will be launched from one of the HPR pads, providing the optimum safe distance that our range layout can provide between it and spectators.
Any flight using an experimental/non-commercial altimeter for initiating the ejection charge events shall use either motor ejection backup or a redundant commercial altimeter for initiating events, unless the flier can prove to the RSO that the altimeter has successfully flown before and is safe to fly. The RSO has the final say as to approving or rejecting the flight. At no time shall the experimental altimeter be brought to the RSO table in an energized state while ejection charges are in the rocket. It shall be armed only at the pad.
The Launch Control Officer (LCO) has total control over launch operations. No one but the LCO will be in control of the launch control system, other than for training purposes. A child or adult may be allowed to count down and launch their own rocket by permission of the LCO, with the LCO directly attending.
The area behind the LCO table has been fenced off and warning signs posted for group and individual safety. After the LCO has announced that the range is closed, no one is allowed past the fenced portion of the range or beyond the warning signs, except for photographers or persons directly involved in the recovery of rockets down range, at the discretion of the LCO.
If your rocket lands beyond the fenced area or beyond the warning signs, you must wait until the LCO announces the range is open before proceeding to recover your rocket.
All persons operating in the capacity of Range Safety Officer (RSO) or Launch Control Officer (LCO) will be active, participating members of the Tri-Cities Rocketeers in good standing with the club, who have satisfactorily completed in-house club training in these fields.
The Tri-Cities Rocketeers is a an “all ages” model rocketry club. Any person attending a TCR launch who appears to be under the influence of illegal substances will be asked to leave the launch.
Every reasonable effort has been made to insure group safety. However, personal safety is the responsibility of the individual. Rocketry enthusiasts who participate in the launch activities of the Tri-Cities Rocketeers do so with the understanding and knowledge of the inherent safety risks involved with the hobby of model rocketry, and assumes all liability incurred for property damages or injuries caused by them. Further, by their participation in launch activities, they also agree to hold harmless the Tri-Cities Rocketeers, its officers and members for any personal damages or injuries incurred as a result of their direct or indirect participation in launch activities.
Dry camping is allowed on site. Click here for an overhead view of our range showing the location of our camping/parking area. Fires are also allowed on site, but must be contained in an "off ground" metal fire pit. Extended use of generators is highly discouraged. All generators must be shut down after sundown. Please be respectful of your neighbors in this regard and charge your batteries during the day.
The speed limit in the parking lot is 5 mph. Those speeding in the parking lot area will be asked to leave the launch. It's sad that we have to add this to the rules but apparently there are a few drivers who have no common sense.
Pets: If you have a rocket dog that has been to a launch before and is well-behaved, it is more than welcome. If you have a dog that barks when people or cars go by, or is afraid of the noise, please leave it at home. It's not fair to the dog or the people attending the launch. If your dog is a nuisance we will ask you to move the dog to a location where it cannot be heard.
Rocket motors of “A” through “M” impulse are allowed. Rocket motor flights of "L" and "M" impulse must be submitted to the TCR Range Safety Officer Team for review and approval at least 24 hours prior to the planned flight. Submissions the day of the flight may be rejected. This is to verify that the flight will not break the 9000 ft waiver, to insure the recovery of the rocket remains within the boundaries of the launch site, and to prepare for any special ground support equipment needs. If you have any question concerning HP flights please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
An HPR Incident Review Board will review any launch or recovery incidents involving high power rockets. The Review Board will report directly to the TCR Board of Directors.
When the wind speed exceeds five (5) miles per hour, a launch rod velocity of at least four times the wind speed will be required of all rockets flying on “H” impulse or larger rocket motors.
As per NFPA 1127, no igniters will be placed within rocket motors of “G” impulse or larger until the rocket has been safely placed on the launch pad.
A flight card will be filled out for every flight. You can download TCR Flight Card PDF here. Please note that it is a two sided document and both side are required!
All rockets being flown on AP motors of “E” impulse or larger must be safety inspected by a Range Safety Officer (RSO) and signed off as such on the flight card before coming to the Launch Control Officer (LCO) for a pad assignment.
The last RSO inspection will be at 20 minutes prior to the end of the launch day. Please plan accordingly.
Based on their judgment, any RSO can deny any rocket that in their opinion is unsafe to fly. Any decision of an RSO to deny a flight is final. The burden of proof that the rocket will not exceed the waiver falls on the flyer. A hard copy print out of an altitude simulation program from a proven, commercially available rocketry computer simulation program is acceptable proof.
Scale, unproven and/or scratch built designs, regardless of impulse, that are conducting their maiden flight, will be termed a “heads up” flight, and will be launched from one of the HPR pads, providing the optimum safe distance that our range layout can provide between it and spectators.
Any flight using an experimental/non-commercial altimeter for initiating the ejection charge events shall use either motor ejection backup or a redundant commercial altimeter for initiating events, unless the flier can prove to the RSO that the altimeter has successfully flown before and is safe to fly. The RSO has the final say as to approving or rejecting the flight. At no time shall the experimental altimeter be brought to the RSO table in an energized state while ejection charges are in the rocket. It shall be armed only at the pad.
The Launch Control Officer (LCO) has total control over launch operations. No one but the LCO will be in control of the launch control system, other than for training purposes. A child or adult may be allowed to count down and launch their own rocket by permission of the LCO, with the LCO directly attending.
The area behind the LCO table has been fenced off and warning signs posted for group and individual safety. After the LCO has announced that the range is closed, no one is allowed past the fenced portion of the range or beyond the warning signs, except for photographers or persons directly involved in the recovery of rockets down range, at the discretion of the LCO.
If your rocket lands beyond the fenced area or beyond the warning signs, you must wait until the LCO announces the range is open before proceeding to recover your rocket.
All persons operating in the capacity of Range Safety Officer (RSO) or Launch Control Officer (LCO) will be active, participating members of the Tri-Cities Rocketeers in good standing with the club, who have satisfactorily completed in-house club training in these fields.
The Tri-Cities Rocketeers is a an “all ages” model rocketry club. Any person attending a TCR launch who appears to be under the influence of illegal substances will be asked to leave the launch.
Every reasonable effort has been made to insure group safety. However, personal safety is the responsibility of the individual. Rocketry enthusiasts who participate in the launch activities of the Tri-Cities Rocketeers do so with the understanding and knowledge of the inherent safety risks involved with the hobby of model rocketry, and assumes all liability incurred for property damages or injuries caused by them. Further, by their participation in launch activities, they also agree to hold harmless the Tri-Cities Rocketeers, its officers and members for any personal damages or injuries incurred as a result of their direct or indirect participation in launch activities.
Dry camping is allowed on site. Click here for an overhead view of our range showing the location of our camping/parking area. Fires are also allowed on site, but must be contained in an "off ground" metal fire pit. Extended use of generators is highly discouraged. All generators must be shut down after sundown. Please be respectful of your neighbors in this regard and charge your batteries during the day.
The speed limit in the parking lot is 5 mph. Those speeding in the parking lot area will be asked to leave the launch. It's sad that we have to add this to the rules but apparently there are a few drivers who have no common sense.
Pets: If you have a rocket dog that has been to a launch before and is well-behaved, it is more than welcome. If you have a dog that barks when people or cars go by, or is afraid of the noise, please leave it at home. It's not fair to the dog or the people attending the launch. If your dog is a nuisance we will ask you to move the dog to a location where it cannot be heard.