THE RULES
ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT THE LAUNCH DIRECTOR
DEB KOLOMS
For those of you who are rocket scientists, Deb Koloms is an E-Mail link to
the Launch Director for answers to ALL BALLS concerns. DON'T GO ASKING SOMEONE ELSE!.
THIS INFORMATION IS SPECIFIC AND PERTINENT TO ALL PERSONS ATTENDING BALLS
IN ADDITION IF YOU PLAN TO LAUNCH BE AWARE OF CLASS 3 FLIGHTS IN THE MENU ABOVE
HIGH ALTITUDE WINDOWS 9am TO 1pm EACH DAY
All Media (photographers, film & video) will need to apply for accreditation for this event.
For accreditation please contact our Media Liaison: David Wilkins HERE |
|
PERMITTED MOTORS
Certified Commercial Motors - There is a minimum K-CLASS requirement for all Commercial Motors all weekend, with the exception of lower impulse motors used for Level One & Level Two Certification flight attempts (supported at this event).
Research Motors - No minimum requirements for Research Motors. Refer to the Tripoli Research Rules, available HERE in PDF file format (requiring Adobe Reader to view and print) for additional information on research motors permitted within the code.
GENERAL INFORMATION
BALLS 31 is sanctioned by The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. Insurance coverage is in place at this launch however, EVERYONE attending, observing, participating or just existing in the area MUST sign a release waiver AND pay the event fee. Special Ground Support equipment will be the responsibility of the individual or project team. There will be a range set up with a limited number of launch pads. A central LCO will control ALL launches within the range (about 2,500 feet from LCO), AND any and all launches conducted at Away Cells on the playa for ALL days of the BALLS event. If you require anything special, bring it yourself.
Provided Equipment - Launch pads of various sizes will be available but please note that NO LAUNCH RODS WILL BE PROVIDED, ONLY 1010 & 1515 RAILS. AGAIN - IF YOU NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT or GROUND SUPPORT, BRING IT YOURSELF! BALLS Committee members will assist you with placement.
FAA Waiver and High Altitude Windows – The standing FAA ceiling for BALLS is 150,000 feet. High altitude windows for flights expected to exceed this ceiling will be available from 9 AM to 1PM each day of the event.
Range Safety Officers – RSOs will be present on the range at all times during the event, and are tasked to both help fliers and ensure compliance with the TRA Research Safety Code and BALLS-specific rules. Fliers are expected to comply with directions received from RSOs.
ROCKET INSPECTIONS
Due to the complexity and technology of today's BALLS rockets, we require Rocket Inspections. Each flyer will present their project to the Inspector (RSO) at the LCO table for inspection. Once approved it can then move to the range for Pad Mounting.
Flyers at Away Cells will be met by Roving RSOs for inspection of their projects. In all cases the RSO's decision will be final. |
AWAY CELLS
It is understood that many large projects which will be flown at the away cells may require additional personnel to handle flight preparation tasks. However, the number at the away cells should be kept to the minimum required to support the effort, in order to minimize safety issues and insurance claims encountered at past events. All individuals who will be granted access to the away cells must be identified in advance to obtain the appropriate away-cell identification. The official flyer for such projects should send an e-mail to Dave Rose HERE to indicate the number of people who will assist, and their names. A maximum number of 6 will be permitted please try to keep the number to a minimum. 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. Most importantly, all away cell personnel MUST BE REGISTERED TRA FLIERS – no exceptions! Should you require additional assistance at the field, please see the launch director who will help obtain such support. See “AWAY CELLS” in the menu above for additional details.
SAFETY CODE & SPECIAL PROJECT NOTIFICATION
BALLS 31 is run under the Tripoli Research Rules, available HERE in PDF file (requiring Adobe Reader to view and print). Anyone planning on flying above an O motor must contact the Launch Director prior to arrival at the launch. Anyone planning a Q motor, or above, or Hybrids (other than Nitrous Oxide), MUST request written approval from the Tripoli Board of Directors (in addition to the Class 3 Requirements described below). This does NOT mean the day before the launch! It is recommended everyone have their "requests" approved by August 31st. Q and above flights should forward a copy of their BoD approval to the Launch Director, Deb Koloms, at the soonest date.
No STEEL airframe parts are permitted, including nose cone, fins, mounts, airframe, etc. Frangible material such as Aluminum is acceptable.
Class 3 Rocket Requirements – A Class 3 Rocket is any rocket that contains more than 40,960 Newton Seconds of installed impulse (a full O class motor). For such rockets, fliers are required to submit a Class 3 application to the Class 3 Committee well in advance of the planned flight. See “CLASS 3 FLIGHTS” in the menu above for details and required forms.
100K ft Project Requirements - If you plan on exceeding 100,000 feet, even with a vehicle using less than 40,960 Newton Seconds you MUST file a Class 3 Report to the Committee. Without Committee approval the flight will not be approved for launch. See “CLASS 3 FLIGHTS” in the menu above for details and required forms.
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ROCKET TEAMS
Attention all College and University teams, both US and International. Tripoli Gerlach has instituted special requirements for all University teams flying at Balls. These rules must be followed by all University teams or you will not be allowed to fly at BALLS. Click HERE for BALLS University Project Rules. |
REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
IMPORTANT: Only current TRA members are permitted access to the flying field (beyond the spectator line) at this event. Accordingly, all who register as fliers MUST PRODUCE A CURRENT VALID TRA MEMBERSHIP CARD during check-in at the BALLS Registration Table. Knowing your membership number, expired cards, driver’s licenses, a friend vouching for you, a note from your mother, etc. are not sufficient. We do not have online connectivity to membership databases at Black Rock – the responsibility of proving you are a current member in good standing is up to you, not the BALLS registration personnel! If you cannot do so, you will be issued a spectator badge which will entitle you only to spectator area access.
ON FIELD REGISTRATION PAYMENT
For those planning to register and/or pay at the event, cash or checks are preferred payment methods at the field. Credit card payments may be processed, but require coordination with The Tripoli Store vendor, so please come to the registration tent in advance of receiving your materials to ensure we can make the arrangements.
SET-UP CONSIDERATIONS
The BALLS volunteer crew will be on-site on Wednesday to set up the range and delineate the spectator area. Past events have seen a few early-arrivers who have staked-out an area for their use prior to any set-up by the BALLS team, and this has resulted on some attendees having tents, canopies, etc. placed in violation of the planned range arrangement and safety distances. If you plan to arrive early, do not set up your area until after the lines have been set for the event. Early arrivers placed incorrectly will be required to move their set-up. The BALLS organizers are required to arrange event areas consistent with permits from the BLM and FAA waivers. We cannot and will not relocate the range because an attendee has taken a liking to a particular spot. There have also been attendees who have taken it upon themselves to move sections of the spectator safety line. This is also unacceptable. Do not argue with the event organizers about any of this! Those who cannot cooperate and think they are “more special” than the large number of responsible BALLS attendees will be required to leave the event and may be excluded from future attendance.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
BALLS has always provided interested attendees with an opportunity for good times, comradeship, and fun on the playa after the day’s flying is concluded. Of course, with all parties, comes the potential for abuse. Activities that are not permitted include fireworks, rocket flights, cannons, or any other activities that put attendees and the playa at undue risk. Please be aware that TRA events are only insured for limited activities and our BLM permit has limits as well.
PLAYA CLEAN-UP RESPONSIBILITIES
Past events have seen a few irresponsible attendees who seem to believe it’s someone else’s responsibility to clean up the debris and playa damage they have caused while at BALLS. Unlike Burning Man, BALLS has no paid clean-up crew, and all effort to support the event is performed by volunteers. ALL ATTENDEES are expected to clean up after themselves, including hauling away your own trash, and smoothing any divots, holes, craters, or other damage you have done to the dry lake surface. The BLM REQUIRES us to leave the playa in the same condition we found it, and they are present during and after our event to verify compliance. Abuse of the playa can and will result in the BLM denying future use of Black Rock by TRA. Those who fail to conform to these responsibilities may be required to leave the event and/or be excluded from future events.
THIS IS IMPORTANT STUFF TOO!
Because of the nature of the activities and environment at BALLS, children are discouraged. It is nearly impossible to concentrate on a large potentially dangerous project and watch your child at the same time. Don't say you can do it. History has already proved you wrong. Past experience has also shown that kids always seem to end up where they shouldn't be or riding bikes and ATVs through prep areas.
TAKE YOUR TRASH & CRASHES WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE!
THIS IS NOT A FAMILY EVENT, CHILDREN ARE DISCOURAGED
ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT THE LAUNCH DIRECTOR
DEB KOLOMS
For those of you who are rocket scientists, Deb Koloms is an E-Mail link to
the Launch Director for answers to all BALLS concerns. Don't go asking someone else.
|
