ABOUT BALLS • RULES • REGISTRATION • CLASS 3 FLIGHTS • AWAY CELLS • DIRECTIONS • LODGING
VENDORS • WHO'S COMING • BALLS HISTORY
THIS IS IMPORTANT
THIS INFORMATION IS SPECIFIC AND PERTINENT TO ALL BALLS LAUNCHES
ALL PERSONS PLANNING ON FLYING AT BALLS SHOULD READ, UNDERSTAND
AND COMPLY IF RELATED TO THEIR PARTICIPATION

AWAY CELLS
BALLS is conducted with a standing 150K ceiling and a ground range extending 2,500 feet from the LCO - that's half a mile. Any rocket up to an O motor (4,0960,NS) can operate freely on this range provided they do not exceed 100,000 feet in their flight. Rockets using motors in excess of 40,960 NS - or - multi-stage vehicles, even less than 40,960 NS - must submit a Class 3 Application to the Tripoli Class 3 Committee for review and approval. See CLASS 3 FLIGHTS menu for details.

Depending on the project, some Class 3 Applications will be submitted on to the FAA and AST to acquire their own Class 3 COA. These will require launch from our Ground Zero location as an Away Cell. Some, not requiring personal CLASS 3 COAs, will be approved for launch from Ground Zero and an Away Cell.

An Away Cell is a pad area outside the BALLS 2,500 ft operating Range. No ground equipment, other than communications with the BALLS LCO, will be provided. All equipment necessary for flight operations must be supplied by the flyer.

Away Cell must be set up with a safe distance between cells so one operation and launch does not affect another cell operation. If cell locations are 'close' all operations must halt and move to a safe distance during a launch. Away Cell RSOs will be available to assist to ensure appropriate safety distances are observed.

Due to the nature of flights conducted in the Ground Zero/Away Cell area, we request the number of ground personnel for each project be of a limited number. Previous negative experiences and insurance implications have reinforced the need to control the number of people permitted in these locations. Also, all non essential persons must vacate the cell during launch.

For these reasons, the BALLS launch organizers will only permit pre-designated individuals, all of whom must be a current, valid TRA member, (Notye the ATTENTION  notice) to have access to the away cells, and the is a maximum of six team members per away cell. Authorized individuals will be designated on their Name Tag at Registration check-in.

To pre-designate the members of the project team to be permitted at the away cell, send an e-mail to Dave Rose HERE with the subject title, “Away Cell Personnel” and include the following information:

  • Project leader/flyer and project/rocket name (as they appear on the “Class 3 Project Submittal” form, where applicable)
  • List of away cell support personnel, with TRA number
  • Away cell support personnel MUST be pre-registered before arriving at BALLS

This submission will provide the BALLS registration personnel with the names of those who will be provided with the proper Away Cell name tag. Do not assume that assorted individuals can just show up at registration and request away-cell access for your project – registration will not support such requests.

Rights to an Away Cell is not permit to launch rockets other than the one designated on the Personal COA.

Rights to an Away Cell at BALLS is not a permit to a private launch and party area. Once the launch is completed we request all parties involved to vacate the Ground Zero area and return to the BALLS Flight Line Area.

VIOLATORS COULD LOSE THEIR
TRIPOLI MEMBERSHIP