The Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center

ROCKET CLUB

Section 691

Great Family Fun
Why Join?

We're the only local tri-state area Rocket Club
with educational classes on successfully building
and launching your model rockets.
From beginners to advanced we offer great tips on how to
certify for your Level 1-2-3 in High Powered Rocketry as well.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

On Wed. July 16 we held a Rocket Launch at

Rockland Community College

From 5:30 - 7PM

Click video below to relive our fun.

 

Video by Sawyer Rosenstein

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Directions to METRA Launch Field:
Pine Island, NY
High Powered Launches

Take the NY Thruway to Exit 16 (Harriman/Woodbury Commons)
Continue on Route 17 West until Exit 123
Take Exit 123 and continue on Route 17M West for 3.4 miles
Make a left at the traffic light onto Route 12 (you will see “Soons Orchard” signs
at the intersection area)
Continue on Route 12 straight through the next intersection and at
the “Y” bear to the left (still on Route 12)
Take Route 12 for 6.2 miles (it will “feel” longer so watch your odometer)
Look for a “Rocket Launch” sign on the left and turn left onto a dirt road (there is usually a
large metal ramp/farm implement near the dirt road entrance)
Take the dirt road for about a mile and go over a small bridge with wooden planks
on the roadbed
After crossing the bridge turn to the right and you will see the launch area straight ahead

You can always find the LHVCC Rocket Club at the METRA launch
with the Giant DINOSAURS ROCK-et and the Dinosaur Skull on the Truck!!

METRA Rocket Launch up at Pine Island NY
Come up to see some monster High Powered Rockets Launch
NOTE: DUE TO INSURANCE METRA NOW REQUIRES ANYONE
WHO WANTS TO FLY (including Estes types of rockets)
TO PAY A FLIGHT FEE AND SIGN A WAIVER.
For details go to www.metrarocketclub.org
The LHVCC Rocket Club will still fly at Rockland Community College
and another larger field is being worked on right now for our members.

Click here to see what we did at previous meetings and local launches.

Learn about how to build and successfully pass your
Level 1-2-3 High Powered Rocketry Certifications

SA-14 Missile Launched on a AMW K-1000 Sparky at NERRF 4

9.5 Ft. Tall Dinosaurs Rock-et Launched on a Loki L-930

Click Here To See Complete Details Of Neil Browns Level 3 Flight

As a member of the LHVCC Rocketry Club
you get:

1. Free access to our launch equipment at our local launches.

2. We will conduct local launches at Rockland Community College during the year as well for Free.

3. Discounts to all of our upcoming Rocketry Classes.

4. Awards for our "Members Only" Contests - free rocket kits, meteorite, parachutes, and more.

5. Expert GUEST SPEAKERS at our monthly meetings.

6. Tips of how to achieve your Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3 Certification in High Powered Rocketry.

1-Year Membership = $60 cover 1 parent and
up to 2 of your children.
Any additional children of yours are $20 each.

Call John at The Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center
To Join.
Tel. (845) 357-3416

You may join the rocket club and be part of all internal activities.  In order to fly your rockets with us, you will be required to be a NAR Member for insurance purposes.  Click NAR logo below for complete details.

All LHVCC Rocket Club Members get an Immediate 10% Discount off any model rockets and 5% off any mid-high powered rockets purchased through Hanger 11 Hobbies.

 

Neil Brown and John Huibregtse teaching the Rocketry Class at the Challenger Center.

John Huibregtse helping members of our Rocket Class prepare their rockets for launching.

Click Below On Our Highly Recommended
Rocketry Websites You Should Visit

                   

                          

 

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Important Rocketry Websites you need to know about:

 www.NAR.org  National Association of Rocketry.  The LHVCC Rocket Club is based upon the rules and regulation of the NAR.  There is a lot of great information within this website.  Please become familiar with all the information within.  REMEMBER: YOU MUST BE A NAR MEMBER TO LAUNCH YOUR ROCKETS!!!

 http://nar.org/nartrek/index.html  What is NARTREK?

NARTREK stands for "National Association of Rocketry Training Rocketeers for Experience and Knowledge." It consists of a series of achievement levels in rocketry, each requiring more skill to complete than the previous one.

As each level is finished, you receive an Achievement Certificate and a jacket patch certifying your accomplishment. You are under no time limit. You progress at your own pace.

 http://nar.org/nartrek/cadet.html  What is the NARTREK Cadet Program?

NARTREK Cadet differs from the standard NARTREK Program in that:

• it is designed specifically for modelers under age 18; and
• it is open to both members and non-members of the NAR.

NARTREK Cadet consists of a series of four achievement levels in rocketry, each requiring more skill to complete than the previous one.

As each level is finished, you receive an Achievement Certificate and an enameled pin certifying your accomplishment. You are under no time limit. You progress at your own pace.

ANY MEMBER THAT COMPLETES A SECTION OF THE NARTREK PROGRAM WILL HAVE THEIR NAME AND ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL CLEARLY VISIBLE WITHIN THE LHVCC ROCKET CLUB DISPLAY.

 http://www.esteseducator.com/cfusion/publications.cfm

Everything you would ever want to know about MODEL ROCKETRY is right here.  It’s all free and downloadable.  Three publications that I would recommend are as follows:

Model Rocketry Technical Manual

Model Rocketry Study Guide

The Classic Collection

  http://www.tripoli.org/

 

WHICH ENGINE?  Model rocket engines are divided into categories based upon the total impulse they produce in the measurement of Newton-seconds.  These categories, determined by the NAR, are standardized for all manufacturers in the model rocket industry.

TOTAL IMPLUSE CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A MEASURE OF TOTAL ENERGY CONTAINED IN A MOTOR.

 

Total impulse is measured in Newton-seconds.  One Newton-second is the amount of force necessary to accelerate one kilogram of mass at a rate of one meter per second per second.

Model Rocket Safety Code

1. Materials. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.

2. Motors. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Ignition System. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when released.
4. Misfires. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the rocket.
5. Launch Safety. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance.
6. Launcher. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.
7. Size. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse. If my model rocket weighs more than one pound (453 grams) at liftoff or has more than four ounces (113 grams) of propellant, I will check and comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations before flying.
8. Flight Safety. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.
9. Launch Site. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
10. Recovery System. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.
11. Recovery Safety. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.