Greetings BRB Members, Sponsors & Friends,
 
 
BRB is #1 in the nation - again!
 
 
What do you do after finishing as the top NAR Section for First Flyer Outreach in 2008? Do it again for 2009!
 
Despite the economy and cutbacks in everything you can think of The Birmingham Rocket Boys again finished as the top NAR Section for First Time Flyer Outreach in 2009. With the help of our club sponsors, outreach team and club members, BRB is once again #1!
 
As the original Rocket Boys would say, PRODIGIOUS!
 
Just as in 2008, what the club accomplished in 2009 came as a result of a full team effort, every member doing what they could to reach our goals, quietly going about their business and getting the job done. Not once have I heard anyone say, "Hey, look what I did." It has always been, "We are getting the job done."
 
I am very proud of the club for again working as a TEAM. Unless you were directly involved it's hard to fully appreciate what the outreach team members have sacrificed. My personal respect and thanks go out to all of you who helped to reach our goals. BRB club members, teachers, students, sponsors and many more have all pulled together to make BRB what it has become.
 
I will not attempt to name all of the people who have been involved for fear of missing someone but I do owe a personal thank you, to Vice President George Gassaway. From the start George has been the backbone of BRB outreach, attending almost every outreach event, big or small, keeping launch equipment in shape, hauling it around and setting it up, taking hundreds of photos and 1,000 other things that have to be done in order to reach as many kids and teachers as possible.
 
The BRB officers and members of the outreach team would like to thank our Aerospace, Corporate and Community Sponsors, teachers, scout leaders and everyone who helped or was involved in some way with BRB outreach over the last year. All of those who sacrificed their time, talents, resources, money, blood, sweat and tears, have made it possible for a small club to do great things - AGAIN! Those involved and all of our sponsors, continue to give and give and give.
 
For the last 4 years BRB and it's outreach team have been assisting as many first time flyers and teachers as possible as we continue to follow the club's mission statement:
 
"To introduce youth to the wonderful world of science and space through model rocketry and provide them with the proper guidance, information and training which will lead to a rewarding and positive life experience." 
 
Staying true to that vision helps to keep the club on track, egos in check, and things running smoothly. We simply believe that as we seek to edify the students and teachers of our area, we can make a difference in the lives of the young people we reach and the community in which we live. Doing this will help to make things better for all of us.
 
We will for a 2nd time enjoy this wonderful and special accomplishment for a few moments and remember it for some time to come, but we know the kids and teachers are already back in school and we now have another set of opportunities. It's time to break open a new pack of Bicycles and be about the business of assisting scouts, all types of youth groups, teachers and students.
 
To all of our sponsors and all BRB members who donated so much and worked so hard and long to help The Birmingham Rocket Boys finish #1 in the nation for the second year in a row...
 
Congratulations! Job well done!
 
Can you say three-peat?
 
Randy DeArman
President BRB NAR 665
 

June 2009
 
New BRB FAQ
 
Just in case you missed it BRB now has a FAQ! While it will expand with time, the basis of everything you need to know about flying with BRB is now on the website here: http://www.birminghamrocketboys.com/ClubInfo/BRBFAQ.pdf
 
There are some new and specific things everyone who fly's with BRB must know and plan for before attending the next launch, so please take 5 minutes to read through the FAQ.
 
Bragg Middle School
 
On May 15th George, David, Ron, Steward, Suzy, Verna and I were at Bragg Middle School for the 3rd time in as many years, to assist science teacher Candice Kiser with Rocket Day 2009. This year was the biggest Rocket Day yet as 278 rockets went up, with almost as many coming down. Only 1 got caught on a power line and even it came down later in the day when the wind changed direction, so all 278 were recovered and returned.
 
Last year's bead bespangled rockets were replaced with ribbons this time around. The guys had some wicked paint schemes of their own and many of the girls color- coordinated their rockets with their shirts and blouses. Glitter remained a popular decoration and only one had filled the launch lug with paint. It was cleared and the young lady made a nice flight.
 
When you launch that many rockets in one day you can really see the difference in engine batches. While everyone flew using A8-3's the altitudes reached, smoke and noise, not to mention the ejections, were pretty varied.
 
From the students, to the teachers, to those providing ground support, everyone had a great time flying with some well behaved students. Going to Bragg is always a good time for BRB Outreach!
 
To finish up 2008-2009 school outreach, George & Steward assisted science teacher Jill Hickey at Gresham Elementary with a last minute launch May 29th. The weather was very nice as the kids had a great last day of school. Check out the images section for the photos!
 
BRB Regional Contest
 
The weather forecast for May 16th looked horrible but we took a chance anyway and our first NAR Regional Contest was a success! It was a bit damp that morning and we had a brief light shower as we were setting things up but the storms stayed in the distance and 1 or 2 even moved around us but the rest of the day was actually pretty nice. Not too warm and a slight breeze around 5 mph.
 
The lawn darts were coming fast and frequently at the contest and I managed to DQ on both of my 1/2 A parachute duration flights with my shock cord snapping at ejection both times. Suzy managed to keep her amazing string of chute failures intact for yet another month, but there's good news on that problem - or maybe a warning for those attending next month's launch at Jemison. Suzy is moving up to HPR and going for her level 1 that day. So no more failed Estes chutes! I do recommend everyone bring a steel umbrella or hard hat just in case Suzy manages to lawn dart her level 1 attempt. OUCH!
 
Steward Jones won the contest for the 2nd time. Congrats to Steward!
 
To see all of BRB's May events be sure to visit the images section of the BRB website.
 
June HPR Launch At Jemison
 
In June we'll be going down to Jemison to open the new HPR field. If you haven't flown your HPR stuff in a while June is the time to do it! The launch will be a rare 2nd Saturday event on June 13th. Moving the launch for June will make it possible for those who are going to Southern Thunder to make both launches.
 
A map and directions to the field in Jemison is now on the website. Please remember to read the FAQ for Jemison specific rules, before you come down.
 
BRB Bits and Pieces
 
1. Next Meeting: July 12, 2009 at Alacom Finance, 2-4pm. Due to some lease changes we will be meeting in a different room at Alacom but still in the same building. There will be more on that later, watch your email.
 
2. If you haven't already done so, please get your 2009 membership dues in to David now.
 
3. The July 19th launch will feature our celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, as we fly all of our NASA vehicles, and that will be followed by a night launch. The launch will start a little later that day at 2:00pm and go until 9:15. Please see the BRB FAQ for night launch rules and guidelines.
 
4. We still have a few BRB golf shirts, t-shirts, sweats and ball caps available. See the BRB website store for inventory available and prices or email me: randyolb@hotmail.com
 
That's it for now except to say, Please read the FAQ! 
 
Randy

This topic has been moved to Night Launch.

http://birminghamrocketboys.org/smf/index.php?topic=257.0

This topic has been moved to Night Launch.

http://birminghamrocketboys.org/smf/index.php?topic=256.0

May 2009

 

April was a busy month for BRB and May will be too! Beginning with TARC Team qualifications April 3rd, BRB members and officers were moving quickly and steadily all month. Our quarterly meeting at Alacom was followed up by many BRB members pitching in with last minute preparations for the Blast Off. While the Trussville and Phillips teams did not qualify to go to the nationals we are still proud of their efforts and look forward to working with the teams again next year.

 

The 5th Annual Birmingham Blast Off went very well considering the only advertising we managed to get was from "flyers" placed in area hobby stores, since our major media outlets have all cut personnel to the bone, which also meant a lack of reporters to cover our event this time around. The Alabama and Auburn spring games and iffy weather reduced attendance to about half of our usual crowd, but those who were there had a great time despite the lower numbers.

 

I want to thank everyone who helped in any way with the Blast Off, and I especially want to thank Ron, George and Steward for going above and beyond. From running all over the county placing flyers printed and donated by Alacom Finance in the hobby shops, to picking up hotdogs with all the fixin's donated by Chef Sherrod, these guys spent a great deal of their personal time and personal expense to make this year's Blast Off the wonderful success it was. It takes more than mere numbers to be called a success. Success is also measured by the quality of the performance and quality is what we want to be known for the most.

 

Thanks also go out to all of our BRB sponsors who generously and routinely donate to BRB throughout the year. The BRB Board and membership asks that you visit the Sponsors Page on the BRB website and that you shop the businesses listed there soon. When you do, let them know how much you appreciate what they do for the club and the community.



 

Coming Up...

 

May 15th - Bragg Middle School outreach event.

 

May 16th - NAR Regional Contest. Everyone can and should participate. For competition tips and more information go here: http://homepage.mac.com/georgegassaway/BRB_contest/event_tips_1.html

 

June 13th - First launch at the new Jemison field. This will be 1 week earlier than normal to accommodate Southern Thunder.

 

June 20-21 - Southern Thunder, Manchester, Tennessee.

 

July 12th   3rd Quarter meeting at Alacom Finance.

 

July 18th - Apollo 11 Commemorative Launch begins at 2:00pm.

 

July 18th -  Night Launch until 9:30pm.

 

As you can see there's a lot of flying headed your way, don't miss it!

 

*BRB members, if you have not already done so, please send your membership dues to David Rowe today, so we can wrap up this very important part of 2009 club business.

 

Randy

April  2009
 
Greetings BRB Members & Friends!
 
April is a RED letter month for BRB starting with our official announcement that we have acquired a new field in Jemison! All the i's are dotted, all the t's are crossed and with a 5000 foot waiver, we're ready to go higher than we've recently been flying. Of course we'll still be flying at the landfill but we will be getting back to regular field rotation in June. And to that end, this month I want to focus on what's coming up for BRB from now through August.
 
As everyone should know, we will be at the landfill for the 2009 Blast Off April 18th and again May 16th for our first ever NAR Regional Contest. Both of these launches will be well attended, with many visitors, some from out of state. For the Blast Off, the Boy Scouts from Faith United Methodist will be assisting with launch duties as they man the food tent and also get in some flying. The Contest will give everyone a chance to meet a few members from other NAR Sections in our region. Be sure to be a part of both events.
 
Now, here's a quick look at the BRB Schedule April - August 2009
 
 
April 5th BRB club meeting at 2:00 pm at Alacom Finance.
 
It will be a great time to get tips for the contest!
 
April 18th The 5th Annual Birmingham Blast Off!
 
This event will be our biggest public outreach of the year and is your chance to see all types of rockets! Many of them are only brought out for this event!
 
May 16th will be the 1st ever BRB, NAR Regional Contest.
 
For everything you need to know to compete, or prepare a competition rocket visit:
http://homepage.mac.com/georgegassaway/BRB_contest/event_tips_1.html
 
*Need engines or supplies?  No problem!
 
John Hudson, owner of Hudson Classic Hobbies in Nashville, Tennessee will be our onsite vendor for the Blast Off. John will be selling all kinds of rocketry related items from motors and kits to odds and ends. If you can't find that special competition engine at Michael's or Hobby Lobby, give John a call and pre-order! John can provide all Estes and Aerotech motors for your low-mid power needs. You can visit John's online store here: http://www.hudsonclassichobbies.com/ or phone him at: 615-429-4664.

June 13th opens our Summer Schedule which will feature several exciting events, beginning with the FIRST launch day at the new field in Jemison! In just a few days we hope to have a map with directions  and a short "Field FAQ" up on the BRB website, to help with "need to know" information before we begin flying there. Our Jemison waiver is higher than at the landfill at 5000 feet AGL and should open up HPR flying. Come be a part of opening the new field on June 13th!
 
In case you missed it, we moved the June launch up 1 week to the 2nd Saturday, so that anyone wishing to attend Southern Thunder won't have a conflict. You can be with us to open the new field in Jemison June 13th and still make it to Southern Thunder the following week, June 20-21, 2009. See the HARA and MC2 websites as the date gets closer for details.
 
July 12th We will have our 3rd quarter meeting at Alacom Finance. Among other things we'll be discussing the night launch and sharing tips for illuminating your rockets for those who need help or want to show off what they've designed.

July 18th at the landfill, will be a very special day and evening! Beginning a little later than usual at 2:00pm, the afternoon launch will feature a NASA theme, as BRB celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing!
 
For the first half of the launch we are asking all members who can, to bring ALL of their Mercury, Jupiter, Atlas, Gemini, Saturn V's, etc., to fly that afternoon, in commemoration of the Apollo Program's historic accomplishment. If you have a flying, static, or retired NASA rocket, bring it to the field that day. If you don't have a NASA rocket right now, there's plenty of time to get one built by July 18th. So get started! Several online vendors offer many of the Mercury, Gemini and Saturn launch vehicles. Maybe we can even have a Saturn V or Mercury drag race!
 
If you don't have a NASA rocket there's no problem, all types of rockets are of course welcome!
 
Then that evening we will shift our focus to BRB's 2nd Night Flight! If you missed Night Flight last year you really missed a treat! Our night launch last summer was by far the most popular of the year! The crowd got to see some very interesting creations, with some very special night flying effects. This will be one launch you won't want to miss!
 
August 15th will see BRB back at Jemison for a full day of sport and HPR flying.
 
I'm sure I have left something out but as you can see there are a lot of interesting events coming up over the next 5 months and there's something for every type of flyer. Don't miss out on the fun, flying and fellowship!
 
Be watching your email, the BRB newsletter and website for regular updates on all these events and others to come!
 
Lastly, the monthly newsletter is open to everyone who wishes to share ideas, project information or anything related to rocketry. 
 
Randy

   Anything at all???
  


With the Blasoff coming up and then after that will be the competion launch... I thought we could discuss things, questions, assignments... whatever...  It's lonley in here when nobody stops by to chat...   "Anything at All" is a song title,  a long time favorite
I thought it fit at the moment I guess...??

March 2009   
 
I don't care what some rodent in Pittsburgh says, winter is fading fast and BRB Outreach is well underway for 2009. We had 3 outreach events in February before the regular monthly launch!
 
The February 21st launch was called the "2009 Eileen McCoy Launch" named in her honor since she came all the way from Tuscaloosa to fly on a windy day and also brought her aunt along. Seriously though, Eileen obtained her level 1 with BRB back in January of 2007 and she will graduate from The University of Alabama this spring with a degree in physics. We want to let her know that we're proud she is a part of BRB and send our congratulations on her accomplishments at the University. Eileen has been active for several years now with BRB outreach to young flyers in the Tuscaloosa area.
 
BRB members may be surprised to know that we will again be assisting 2 TARC teams this year, Phillips Academy (formerly Phillips High School) and Trussville High School. Ron & Kim will be assisting Phillips and Rus will again be mentoring Trussville. Hopefully the teams will be flying with us at the March launch.
 
I'm happy to announce that Kim and George are the first members to contribute to the BRB monthly newsletter. Please read about their outreach events at Thompson Elementary and Ramsey High School below. You can see the photos from the Arlington and Thompson events in the BRB images section. As you read my report you'll want to see the photos to fully appreciate the field conditions.
 
Randy
 
Event Reports
 
From Kim, February 2, 2009
 
We did not get to fly because the winds were just a little too high for the size field available. If it had been just a little larger I would have flown something. I lectured two of Mr. Travis Harper's 10th grade Physical Science classes and his session room students. We finished up about noon. For a moment I thought we would get a chance to fly because the winds seem to ease up but then just as I was getting the equipment ready, the polar express came through and we could not fly.
 
I talked about Newton's third law and how model rockets work off of that principle. I drew a cut away of a model rocket motor, B6-4, and explained what happens inside the motor during different phases of the flight. A few students asked questions about different types of rockets. What really made up for not being able to go out and fly was our BRB DVD. They loved that!!! I also showed them the footage of George's glider with the camera on it, with the in flight live video and that really blew them away!!!
 
I explained that we have a launch every month on the third Saturday and that information was available on our website. I passed out our club fliers and NAR fliers and gave them my email address just in case they had any questions. So, despite not being able to fly, it went really great.
 
Kim
 
 
From Randy, February 3, 2009
 
On February 4th Rus and I had the privilege of speaking to the jr. high class at Arlington School. Their school building was formerly used for the Red Mountain Museum. It was a good class and a good talk with lots of questions followed by a brief launch. If you go to the images section and view the photos you'll see the field we used was less than tiny. I have no doubt we launched and recovered on the smallest field ever - for what was flown. The photos show the entire cleared area.
 
The story:
 
We got to Arlington about 8:45 and after a 20 minute talk using a few Estes rockets and Rus' level 1 bird as props, we moved over to Santa Rosa Elementary's "field" across the street. The area is actually smaller than it looks. The night before, I found 2 of my old porta-pads and rods and took along a jump battery pack for power and we just went directly to the battery for launch. Knowing it would be frigid, I had fully prepped them before going to the school so I wouldn't have to fumble with the igniters in the cold.
 
The wind was 11-13 mph, air temp was 24* the chill factor must have been under 10* and we were up on a hill side that was facing the frigid breeze coming out of the north. It was easily the coldest launch I ever been a part of. After we QUICKLY set up the pads we had to make a couple of standoffs out of tape that didn't want to stick to the rods due to the cold. Finally when we got the tape in place we had our first flight.
 
I knew the field would be small but not that small. It was about 30' x 35' and was surrounded by trees and large buildings. Using 2 small rockets on streamers and a Snitch saucer on an B6-0 booster, I figured we might get the saucer back because they usually fall pretty close to the pad but I had no hope of getting either of the rockets back. The kids counted down and the saucer went up and into the breeze. It got about tree top high and fell back as though it was on a string, splitting the 2 pads. It landed close enough to the pads to count in horseshoes.
 
The next one of was my son's VERY old Estes Cajun on an A8-3 and a 12" streamer. It's been flown well over 100 times and I figured we had come to the end of the road. I angled the rod slightly into the breeze where I thought I would just miss the tree next to the street. Again the students counted down and it went up about 275'-300' on a gentle arch out over the office building across the street. The ejection popped at apogee and it started falling back, well out over the street. Drifting side to side, it seemed destined for the middle of the intersection on the corner but as it fell to about 125', a stiff cross wind caused it to absolutely stop it's downward motion and it suddenly went at a hard right angle for maybe 50-75' where it fell out of the cross wind and began falling toward the center of the tree above the pads, BUT again, a stiff cross wind slapped it horizontally just enough to miss the tree and fall right at my feet, about 15' from the pads. the flight lasted a good 30 seconds. This flight and recovery was about as strange a flight as I have ever witnessed and I knew we were very lucky to get it back. The kids were very impressed so naturally I had to tell them I meant to do all of it. It's just a matter of flying skill and after 40 years of flying you just learn to do some things. Of course, one of the kids wanted to see it again.
 
The third and final flight was my youngest daughter Regina's very small purple Reliant on an A8-3 and it too is about 15 years old and has flown many times. Relating back to some of the discussion in the classroom, I explained this rocket was lighter and was using the same engine as the first one. Of course, it really shot up and made it close to the edge of the Red Mountain Express Way and probably got to about 475' up before ejection. It went up on a nice arc and was coming back down on one too. It did drift quite a way, even on a short streamer. It had gone down range about 400' and when it passed back over the pads it was still about 150' up. Just after it passed over head it seemed to simply drop straight down as it just cleared a large metal building and landed in a small grassy area on the other side. So we got all 3 back!
 
We were outside less than 15 minutes but it took me almost an hour to get back to normal temperature and for my fingers to stop hurting. Even so, it was a great event and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.
 
 
From George, February 6, 2009
 
Steward Jones & I went to Thompson Middle School to do presentations for “Career Day”.  We made the presentations in the classroom of BRB Member and teacher Julius Johnson. There were four different sessions, 30 minutes long, as different groups of students came in for each session. We used up the full time, as we were not just talking about rockets, but how model rocketry may lead them to realize a career path.

It was somewhat unusual as Model Rocketeers to do a presentation on a Career Day, since model rocketry itself does not have a lot of business opportunities. First, we did a model rocketry talk as we normally would, but shifted a lot more, to how this hobby can be a springboard for students to help
identify what kind of careers they may be interested in, since building and flying model rockets also causes one to learn more science, math, engineering, and even artistic design. One example being to design a rocket to be stable; an arrow without feathers is not stable. And how there is computer software that can aid in designing a rocket to fly stably, or just find how it will fly with a given engine. Which gives a good real-world interaction of designing something with a computer that the student actually is building and flying.

Steward’s night rocket was a great example of one that was an engineering problem, to find the lights, and design a stable flying rocket to use the lights, but which also simply LOOKED neat too, as a an example of artistic design. Some other examples of different problem-solving were gliders, helicopter recovery, and egglofting. The egglofting was used as an example of doing one's own private "space program", with the egg representing an astronaut (better an egg than a mouse), to get the egg back safely, but also when done in a contest, to try to get good flight performance while still being able to get the egg back safely.

We also mentioned more direct aerospace careers such as the examples of Homer Hickam and Jay Apt, who flew on four shuttle missions.

The conclusion portion of the talks was in effect, that by participating in the hobby and their own interests taking over (whatever aspects that might interest them), they can be inspired to learn more about various things they may not have identified as something they were good at, or actually interested in as a possible career.

Steward took some nice photos while I was talking. I regret I did not get a really good one of Steward, and not one at all of Julius Johnson. The talks were just so bang-bang-bang, finish one, start the next, we were fortunate to even think to get any photos in the classroom. BTW - one pic was from Mr. Johnson’s students testing out their balloon-powered cars after everything was done.

George
 
 
BRB Tidbits
 
I want to thank Kim and George for their contributions to this month's newsletter and invite all BRB members and friends to send in any articles and photos you'd like to share in the next one.
 
Don't forget the TARC teams may be with us for the March launch and you'll want to be tuning up your rockets and honing your flying skills for the Blast Off on April 18th and the Regional Contest, May 16th. Not to mention Southern Thunder in Manchester Tennessee, June 20-21, 2009.
 
We should have some news about the new field in Jemison and our first launch there shortly. Be watching your email and the BRB website for updates!
 
Finally, don't forget that everyone is welcome to fly with us! BRB membership is not required to fly with and there are no range fees.
 
See you at the field!
 
Randy

February 2009
 
5-4-3-2-1...
 
There were many things taking place with BRB as we started the new year. Outreach and our first meeting and launch for 2009 were the main items of business for January. At the meeting we voted to amend voter eligibility from a single family vote, to an individual vote based on age 16, and also to change our meeting frequency from once per month, to one per quarter. After that officers were elected, with all officers from 2008 retaining their same positions for 2009.
 
Outreach got under way for 2009 with BRB helping the Boy Scouts from Faith United Methodist Church in Clay, as they prepared to go for their Space Exploration Merit Badges. A rocketry talk and general RSO of all their rockets was performed at the Scout meeting on January 6th and that was followed up a few days later on January 17th as they launched their rockets at the monthly BRB club launch. Even though it was a very cold and breezy day the Scouts made quite a few successful flights with only 1 left on a power line. They also brought one of the nicest grills I've ever seen and cooked Brats for all in attendance. The heat, food and fellowship were all very nice.
 
If you didn't know better you would have thought the first launch for 2009 was taking place at Ice Station Zebra! Evidently the people in charge of the U.S. weather machine didn't get Al Gore's message about global warming. The day was completely overcast, began with the temperature at 26* and it stayed below 38 until well after the launch had concluded. The turnout was much higher than would be expected for the weather conditions but as soon as the rockets began flying most people seemed to forget the cold weather. 
 
We had approximately 35 flyers and spectators on hand to witness our first level 1 attempt for the year, as Russ Wetzel made a successful level 1 flight. Russ and Chuck Pierce came down with family from HARA to join us and they also put on a nice show of HPR launches for the Scouts. All in all, it was another great day at the landfill. Photos of the launch can be seen in the images section of the BRB website.
 
BRB Tidbits
 
As everyone should know by now we're in the final stages of acquiring a new field at Jemison and hope to be flying there soon. We have the insurance back from NAR and expect the waiver very soon. Due to the nature of the field, a small "Field FAQ" will be posted to provide some basic rules and guidelines for flying at Jemison. More on that coming soon.
 
The 2009 schedule is being tweaked and those details should be finalized shortly. A tentative schedule is on the website now. You will want to note several launch dates on your flying calendars for the first half of the year. The 5th Annual Birmingham Blast Off will again be the 3rd Saturday of April, we will be holding a contest in May, and in June the BRB monthly launch, will be moved up 1 week to the 2nd Saturday of June, so that those who would like to attend Southern Thunder will not have a conflict. More on ST 2009 below.
 
On a personal note, this year I want to invite all BRB flyers to contribute to the monthly newsletter. If you have an interesting rocketry related story, article, project, or anything you'd like to share, please write it up, do a photo or two if you have them and send it to me by the 25th of each month. I'll include your article in the monthly newsletter.
 
Emphasis On Safety
 
NAR president Trip Barber has recently been emphasizing the need for safety at club launches and how to make sure things go smoothly and as planned. In the coming months we'll be focusing a little more on safety and how to make sure BRB always follows the safety codes and common sense practices that have made rocketry one of the safest hobbies in the world.
 
HARA and SEARS
 
Most of us at least know there are also NAR clubs in Huntsville, HARA NAR 403 and Dothan, SEARS NAR 572 but only a few of us have ever visited either club at one of their launches. Both are excellent clubs and have been around for some time now. Basically, they do the same things we do with outreach, TARC, meetings, monthly launches, etc. but each club has it's own personality and approaches the hobby from slightly different angles. For example, HARA and SEARS use the more traditional NAR launch protocols and flight line procedures, where as BRB uses what is referred to as a "Misfire Alley" where flyers may use club launch pads and equipment, or bring their own. Both styles of operation work, as long as everyone flying is on the same page. Both clubs are heavily into the TARC program and also community outreach with schools, scouts, etc. while holding their own club launches too.
 
HARA http://www.hararocketry.org and MC2 host an event called Southern Thunder each year in Manchester Tennessee. ST has become the biggest regional launch within easy driving distance of Central Alabama. The launch this year will be June 20-21, 2009. At ST you will see just about everything there is to see in the hobby. From A on up, there will be hundreds of launches and tons of HPR. For ST updates and more information go MC2 http://www.mc2rocketry.com/
 
SEARS http://www.sears572.com has access to a very nice sod farm in Samson Alabama, where they are able to fly year round. At SEARS you'll also see everything from A motors on up and be hosted by some of the friendliest flyers around. I've flown at SEARS several times and have always enjoyed the hospitality and fellowship.
 
Invitations To Fly
 
I have recently spoken to HARA President Ray Cole and Treasurer Chuck Pierce, as well as SEARS President Greg Lane, about flyers from all the clubs visiting the various club launches at some time during the coming year. BRB flyers are invited to visit HARA and SEARS launches at their earliest convenience. BRB has also issued a standing invitation to all flyers, especially those coming from HARA and SEARS to join us at a BRB launch this year and as often as they can.
 
When you're finished here take a few moments to visit the websites listed above.
 
Chute deployed,
Randy

What is the max time frame that you can take the L2 test and the actual certification?