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Date: 10/21/2025
Subject: October 25th 2025 - Launch Announcement
From: Tripoli Minnesota


TRIPOLI MINNESOTA - PREFECTURE #45 
October 25th:
Our Last Rocket Launch of the Year
  
All launches will be held at in North Branch, MN - Central Turf Farms
  • Setup starts at 9:00 am
  • Flying starts at 10:00 am
  • HARD Stop at 5:00 pm
Please stay for tear-down or partial tear-down from the day launch.
Waiver to 20,000ft weather dependent
The 2025 Launch Season Is Drawing To An End!
We still have a signed waiver enabling us to have a night launch.  I want to get a head count to see how many people would like to stay and fly.  If interested, please send an email to: Prefect@Tripolimn.org  and let your intent be known.  At the last launch, we only had about 10 people interested in flying night rockets.  This is fine, but I want to make sure there are at least that many people interested in staying late on a cool fall night.  That also means those 10+ people are willing to stay till the end and help with the final tear down.
 
Things to remember about the night launch:
  • It's easier on all of us if you get your flight cards signed off prior to it getting dark.  Looking at rockets in the daylight is so much easier!
  • It can get cold and damp! 
  • Bright lights can impact vision.  Use red light flashlights if possible.  It takes your eyes 15+ minutes to adjust to the dark.  
The rules remain the same as previous years for the night launching: 

  • 5,000ft max altitude.

  • No certifications at night.

  • Your lights must be visible to 5,000 feet, so no glow sticks or “finger lights”.

  • You must use a tracker above 1,000 feet (you’d be surprised how many lights fail).

  • No glass or anything that could shatter.

  • No camping or fires. 

  • Canopies at night aren’t a great idea, because you can’t see above you where the lights are.

  • Everyone must leave after the launch.  Did I mention NO camping?


***THE FINAL LAUNCH ANNOUNCHEMENTS WILL BE MADE ON FRIDAY, October 24th***
 
SIDE NOTE:  Please slow down!  This is a dirt farm road.  It's not gravel.  It's not paved.  Take your time.  It leaves less ruts and generates less dust!

The Volunteer Sigh-up Sheet Is Active!

Please take a minute to put your name down if you plan on helping out with any of the many things that need to be done every launch.
There are spots available for:
  • Range Safety Officer (RSO)
  • Launch Control Officer (LCO)
  • Porta Potty tow vehicle (both to and from)
  • Club Trailer towing
Click on the Event Calendar on the website home page and select the green "play / view" button.

Rocket Crashes are Scary for EVERYONE!

There were several rockets that came back to the flight line at the last launch.  It is everyone's responsibility to keep your eyes on the sky!  If you hear the horn and/or a heads-up call it is not just for fun, it's a signal that we have a rocket that is heading towards the flight line.  Looking up is not optional!

Stop, Look up, and Get out of the way!!! 

If you are unsure of your rocket's recovery setup, please ask!  The club is full of great people always willing to help.  A second set of eyes (even for experienced fliers) is not a bad thing.  We have all had bad things happen we can't explain, but we need to make sure every attempt has been made to have a safe recovery.  

Fire, Wind, and No-Water... Yes, It CAN Happen.

One thing I was reminded about is the risk of fire.  It is obvious that we need combustion to get our rockets into the air.  We also need to be extra carful of the potential for fire damage.  The crops are drying fast and are ready for harvest.  This meads they can catch fire easily.  We don't have access to water, and running with a fire extinguisher isn't easy!   With that being said, please be careful. 
Fire Danger
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:  
  • 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!  
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
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.
William Schmiedlin
Prefect - Tripoli Minnesota Inc.
prefect@tripolimn.org
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