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Date: 5/5/2025
Subject: May 10th 2025 - Launch Announcement
From: Tripoli Minnesota



TRIPOLI MINNESOTA - PREFECTURE #45 
May 10th, 2025
Launch Announcement
  • North Branch, MN - Central Turf Farms Flying Field
  • Setup starts at 9:00 am
  • Flying starts at 10:00 am
  • Please stay for tear-down if you can ~5:00pm
  • Waiver to 20,000ft weather dependent
Welcome to the second launch of the 2025 high power rocket flying season!
Once again, we have the privilege to be flying from the Central Turf Farms.  This is by far the best launch location in the mid-west!  We have great amounts of green grass, and large open fields to fly on.  Last month we were again great stewards of the property.  Please continue to be respectful of our location, and we will continue to be welcomed back!  As always, new members and spectators are always welcome.   There have been several emails from potential new members that are interested in joining us.  If given the opportunity, take them under a "fin" and show them what makes our club and hobby special.  Please continue to invite others that may enjoy our fun hobby to any and all launches.  We will again have several college teams joining us for the launch.  It's always fun to see what these students bring to fly, and the challenges they have been assigned to achieve. 
 
April's Launch - By the Numbers:
Low Power (A-G) Launches:  30 Flights | ~8128*Ns Total Impulse (7x"A", 2x"B", 6x"C", 4x"D", 2x"E", 3x"F", 6x"G"
High Power "L1" Flights:  15 Flights | ~3985*Ns Total Impulse (14x"H", 1x"I")    *** 4x of these were H550 motors for collegiate flights ***  
High Power "L2" Flights:  4 Flights | ~1900*Ns Total Impulse (3x"J", 1x"L")  *** L-1090 was the largest motor of the day ***
 
New Member Certifications!

Alexa Bartels - L1

Lani Calderon - L1

Keenan Raby - L1

Shannon Koroscik - L1

Isaiah Theisen - L1

Monica Robles - L1

Maxwell Osterkamp - L1

Carl Wasleske - L2

 
If you are new to the club and not aware, I would like to point out a few rules of etiquette:
  • This is a working farm.  Please be respectful of the land, roads, and fields.  The turf is a cash crop.  Let's treat it as such.
  • All vehicles should drive slowly on the roads.  The road is dirt & clay, so if its wet, it DOES get sloppy.
  • When you get to the field, please back into a spot.  We want to keep engine fluid drips as close to the road as possible (farm's request).
  • If there are freshly planted fields that your rocket lands in, only send one person to retrieve it.  Less tracks = less crop damage.
  • The fields are surrounded by drainage ditches.  They are deep!  If you need to cross one, find the spot where the sprinkler crosses.
Rocketry Rules Refresher: - (In no particular order)
  • Always make sure pyro charges are disabled until at the pad.
  • With all mid power and high power rockets: DO NOT install igniters until at the pad.  Low power rockets are the ONLY exception.
  • Keep the rocket pointed in a safe direction on your way to the RSO table, and towards the pads once at the table.
  • It's good practice to arm all electronics at the pad, prior to installing the igniter.  
  • Never, ever, ever... catch a rocket.
  • Do not retrieve another person's rocket without consent or knowledge of the flyer.
    •  Ejection charges may still be intact, or electronics may need attention prior to moving the rocket.
    •  It makes it very hard to find a rocket that has already been retrieved.  Note the location and call it in.
  • Only HP certified fliers are allowed at the pads (sorry kiddos).
  • If you hear the air horn, LOOK UP!  
Final Call:  Go / No-go
As always, the decision to fly will be made (to the best of our ability) on Friday morning.
We will send an updated announcement / email if needed.
The forecast for Saturday at this point looks GREAT!  The wind and clouds "should" be building as the day progresses.
So, let's get those launches ready to fly earlier than later, and not wait for the last minute.
On-Field Provisions:
 
Off We Go Rocketry - Gary will be attending the launch with a large assortment of rocket motors and rocketry related supplies.
 
Food - Brian's Brats will be in attendance!
 
Rest Room - We will have a handicap accessible porta potty at the field.
 
Trash - There are usually two trash cans located near the LCO table.  Please use them.
 
 
 

Radios:

At several of the last launches, we have had many people using the FRS / GMRS radio band.  This has worked quite well for getting in touch with club members all over the field.  The FRS (Family Radio Service) is a low power (2 watts or less) band that does not require a license to operate on.  These radios are inexpensive and very handy.  The GMRS (General Mobile Radio Services) do require a license due to being over 2 watts of transmitting power.  If you have a HAM license, your licensed to operate a GMRS radio.  The frequencies are the same for both radio operating classes.
 
FRS / GMRS Channel 4 for all club radio transmissions has been working well.
 
William Schmiedlin
Prefect - Tripoli Minnesota Inc.
prefect@tripolimn.org