Rocketry has been a safe hobby for many years. The members of SoAR want to continue the safety of our fellow hobbyists. So here are a few rules to follow while at our launch site.

Depending on the size of the launch, there may be a number of different people you need to know about. Here are their jobs:

The Range Safety Officer (RSO) has final authority over all launches. Whatever the RSO says, goes. If high power rockets are being flown, the RSO must have Level 2 or above certification from NAR or TRA, unless only Level 1 rockets are being flown, then the RSO may be Level 1 certified.

The Launch Control Officer (LCO) announces flights and launches the rockets.

The Safety Check Officer (SCO) is someone delegated by the RSO to check rockets for safety.

The Pad Manager (PM) is someone delegated by the LCO to assign rockets to launch pads.

The Registrar (usually the SoAR Treasurer) is responsible for collecting range fees, issuing flight cards, and signing up new members.

At most of our launches at present, all jobs except registrar are done by the same person, who we refer to as LCO. As launches get bigger we'll start to spread the responsibilities out. If you're a SoAR member, learn about what each of the positions do. We may press you into service at a future launch for a 2-3 hour shift!

We follow all NAR safety codes. The NAR safety codes for model rockets and high power rockets can be found at the NAR web site. The NAR safety code for model rockets can also be found in any Estes kit.

While on our fields, please be aware that it is someone else's property and have respect for it. We are lucky to have it!! Please pick up all trash and be careful with your vehicle when entering and exiting the field.

Flight Procedures

After arriving at the field, go to the Registration Table and get a flight card for each flight. If you are a SoAR member, you can get as many as you need.

If you are a first-time guest, you can get four flight cards free -- additional flight cards will cost 25 cents for A-D motors, 50 cents for E and above. You can get them as you need them, or you can get as many as you will need for the day's launches.

1. Fill out the card, and prep your model.
2. When you are ready to go, bring your model and filled out flight card to the Pad Manager (PM) table (or if we don't have a pad manager, you can bring it to the LCO) for a pad assignment. The PM may be assigning several of rockets during high traffic times; most of the time you should only be involved with the launch and recovery of one rocket at a time. You must have your flight card in hand if standing in line for the PM. At the discretion of the PM, he may ask you to take your rocket to a full RSO for complete checkout. You will then be cleared to go on to the launch pad. Parents are encouraged to help their kids. If you have any questions, ask a SoAR member.
3. When the launch pads are loaded and the sky is clear, the Launch Control Officer (LCO) will announce the launch of your model. Please pay attention to the LCO as there may be "heads up" calls or other important information. All flights must come from the SoAR area. Please do not set up your own launch pad without permission from the RSO and LCO.
4. After launch, retrieve your model only when directed that the range is "safe" by the LCO.
5. Have Fun! Be Safe!

Other notes:

• Only NAR or TRA certified motors may be used. A complete list may be found here (Adobe Reader required).
• Keep cars on the dirt road. Do not drive across the grass.
• No animals. We love dogs, cats and other pets, but rocket launches are not the place for them. Please leave them at home.
• Have your kids stand back from the fencing around the launch area. They should never climb through, lean or pull on it.
• Don't bend the launch rods. The heads are adjustable. If you are having problems ask for help.
• Don't crowd around the Pad Assignment table. It makes it very hard for the range crew to do their jobs.
• Don't touch the rockets unless you have permission. Again, parents you are responsible for your children.
• Pick up any trash you see on the field, even if it's not yours. We need to leave the sites cleaner than we found them if we want the continued privilege of using them.
• We discourage Estes or Quest wadding. We supply cellulose wadding for flyers use.
• Any rocket that flies in an unsafe manner must be brought up to the RSO or LCO for inspection after the flight.
• If your rocket lands in a tree or out of sight, inform the LCO before attempting retrieval. We want to keep the land owner and neighbors happy. Don't go on your own for difficult retrievals.
• Required minimum Launch Lug diameters: (though smaller rods may be used at the RSO's discretion)

  1/4A - C motor rockets	1/8"
  D & E motor rockets	3/16"
  F & G motor rockets	1/4"
  H - J motor rockets	3/8"

• Fields that SoAR uses may have a FAA waiver allowing launches of larger rockets.  These waivers will be cleared to various altitudes depending on location and date. Always check with the Launch Schedule to see if a waiver is in effect, and confirm the waiver with the RSO at the launch.

If you are asked by the Pad Manager (PM) to have your rocket fully checked out by the Safety Check Officer (SCO), listed below are some of the items he / she may be looking for:

• Is the motor NAR or TRA certified? Only certified motors may be used.
• Is the motor adequate to fly the model? SCO may consult current motor charts for maximum liftoff weight, thrust curves, thrust / weight ratios, etc. He / she may question low average thrust motors in heavy models flying under higher wind conditions. Excessive weathercocking may result in insufficient altitude, that normally would not be a problem.
• Is motor retention adequate? "Positive" motor retention is always recommended for motors above "C" level. Is the motor mount adequate to prevent "fly through" of the motor?
• Are "slip-fits" too tight or lose? Nose cones attached to payload bays should stay attached, while payload bay couplers to main body tubes should separate without undue force.
• Are the launch lugs the correct size (see front page of this document) and adequately attached? Is there paint build-up or burrs inside the launch lugs that could cause binding?
• Are the fins mounted parallel to the roll axis? Are fins adequately secured to the body tube? "Thru-the-wall" mounting is recommended for higher performance rockets. For higher power rockets, material other than balsa is recommended for fin material.
• Is the shock cord adequate in size and in good condition for safe operation? No cracks, burn marks, or fraying should be observed. Is there sufficient flameproof recovery wadding / heat shield to protect the recovery device?
• Is the recovery device (parachute / streamer) in good working condition?? Condition of attachment hardware / shroud lines good?
• Does the CP/CG relationship appear to be enough for stable flight? Usually, a minimum of 1 body tube diameter (caliper) CG forward of CP is required for safety. Be especially careful with "forward finned" models.

• Are there any "unplugged" motor tubes that would cause the escape of the ejection charge? This has led to a dangerous "lawndart" on more than one rocket in the past.
• Are the igniters wired in "parallel" not "series"? Are they of a matched "type" and condition (resistance / pyrogen material)?
• Are the motors of a "matched" type, or does the arrangement lend itself to "unmatched" motors?