FAA Notification on Large Model Rockets

Mar 11, 2005 451 Replies

This guy was not taking off or landing. He was making "practice" approaches over an area that he did not have permission to do so at. Someone had photos of him at tree-top heights over the field.

The pilot in question was definitely in violation of this rule. There was at least one licensed pilot who observed his violation of this rule and quoted it to us at the time. I think he is the one who reported it to the FAA as well.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

There is an NAR section at Fermilab. One member regularly posts here, and has posted to this thread. It was the local municipal forks at DPA, NOT the FAA folks who had a problem with his waivers and NOTAMS. They actually went to the lab director to try and get these launches shut down.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

Why a Duck?

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

A VOR generates air traffic. It is rather unlikely that you would get a waiver right on top of a VOR, just as it's unlilely you would get a waiver a mile from ORD or any other major airport. And of course flying into that airspace without one is just plain illegal and really stupid.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

Hey! There's a PERFECT reason to reinstate Jerry!

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

The presence of a VOR makes it more likely that even in the middle of nowhere, there is going to be a LOT more air traffic. Knowing that is probably the reason that the organizers did NOT file for a waiver. The organizers KNEW they were violating the law. They kept the location of the launch a secret, so you had to go to the motel, and pick up a map to the field to get there.

But my wife got a GREAT quote from that launch!

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

Just ask Chuck Rogers for a copy of the waiver from the launch where he set that 25K record. And if he doesn't have one, kick him out just like he did to Jerry.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

Wanna hear something really phunnie?

When the waivers were faxed to the hotel (FAA does not follow its own regulatory deadlines of course), it was CHUCK ROGERS who I appointed to show those waivers to all askers.

So when he claimed I NEVER got waivers for the Lucerne launches. It was a knowingly false statement.

Jerry

I am reasonably sure you are wrong about that.

You might get a lower than usual cieling however if it is indeed a "popular" VOR.

But with VFR there is no reason to restrict rockets at all IMHO.

Jerry

But knowing that a waiver request right next to a VOR would likely be denied is why the organizers didn't bother to file for one. But they did tell fliers that they had one.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

While I've searched the FAA for specific regulations regarding VOR area restricted airspace, I can't find any specifics. But since flight w/i

5 miles of an airport require waiver and airport mgr notification. Since it sounds like a waiver should have been filed in this case, I'm sure the FAA would have denied a waiver in this area due to the shear volume of air traffic. Since Mark Bundick said in a statement shortly after 9/11 "NAR members should be reminded that, historically, any application for waivered launches under Part 101 was subject to denial by the FAA." there would be IMO no chance the FAA would actually grant a waiver for these areas.

Because they're fowl (groan)

That example is agregious and uncommon.

BTW I love flying at Danville.

Who was responsible for getting the waver for that launch? Seems like it was JI, right?? If so, did Jerry actually get one? If so was this alleged incident against Chuck a one time happening, or was it habitual as is alleged to Jerry and launches he sponsored??

Show Us ANY waiver prior to '92.

Show Us the waiver for Chuck's flight.

If you filed a waiver and Chuck violated it, and you were fully aware of it prior to launch. (As you claim), then it's your fault for allowing the flight.

jerry is the one who claimed to file the waiver, that would make jerry responsible for any violations of said waiver.

Remember, jerry said he had prior knowledge that the rocket in question would violate the waiver, it was jerry's waiver, he could have said no to the flight.

Humm, what was their "real" problem ?

Does not sound kosher to me Bob, the DPA folks must have been out of line.

Show Us the waiver.

So now your claiming you don't have a waiver for the launch in question?

Not all VORs are created equal. Many located away from population centers have no significant air traffic at lower altitudes. It's the air traffic that could preclude a waivered launch, not the VOR.

That example Bob keeps using was Central Blast, and NOT the motel Danville we all grew to love.

BTW, notams and wavers happen quite often near VORs

BOB, please start calling that Central Blast and not Danville OK !

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