This page will be the "Mission Data Center" for AIRFest 23 Flyers, including
details about what, where and when things will take place during the weekend. Check
back here periodically for updates as AIRFest 23 draws near.
Click Here for Registered Flyers list.
Please, no fireworks or firearms are permitted at AIRFest 23 or any other
KLOUDBusters launches. In deference to our landowner and surrounding residents,
please leave these items at home.
FAA Waiver for AIRFest 23
The waiver for the duration of AIRFest 23 will be
50,000' AGL.
Extended altitude arrangements above 23,000' up to 50,000' must be made with
prior
approval from the KLOUDBusters BOD. These approvals must be submitted at
least 30 days in advance of the launch. The form for KLOUDBusters BoD approvals
may be found at
AIRFest 23 HiAlt Application
(MS-Word Document).
Aluminum Rockets at Argonia
Rockets launched at Argonia may
not
be constructed of all aluminum or any other metals. Aluminum fin cans or nose cones
will be permitted only if required to ensure structural integrity of the rocket
during a high-performance launch. Absolutely no aluminum airframes or fins attached
directly to motor cases will be permitted under any circumstances.
Any metal structural
components (i.e. nosecones, nosecone tips, fins, or fin cans)
must be painted. NO EXCEPTIONS! Screws, rivets, nuts, washers, and other
non-structural small components are exempt from this restriction. Please contact
the
KLOUDBusters prefect for further
details.
KLOUDBusters Multi-Stage Rules
KLOUDBusters has specific restrictions implemented for multi-stage rockets flown
at Argonia. Please refer to the
KLOUDBusters Rules for Multi-Staged Rockets
FAA Class 3 Rockets at AIRFest 23
A Class 3 rocket is defined as any amateur rocket propelled by a motor (or motors)
totaling more than 40,960 Newton-seconds (a “P” motor or greater). This
distinct class of amateur rocket requires its own “Certificate of Waiver or
Application” to be legally flown. All FAA Class 3 approvals are the responsibility
of the individual flyer/team to submit and obtain approval. More information on
filing for a FAA Class 3 waiver may be found
here. Flyers must inform the Launch Director by August
1, 2017 if you intend to launch a Class 3 rocket.
Range Hours at AIRFest 23
Range hours will be 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Concessions at AIRFest 23
There will be an on-site vendor for a wide variety of food items, drinks and bagged
ice at AIRFest 23.
Tripoli Research Launch Days
The current TRA Research Safety Code makes it possible for adult TRA and NAR to
fly during AIRFest 23.
All four days of AIRFest 23 will be conducted under the Tripoli Research Safety
Code. All flyers 18 years of age or older launching rockets must be Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA)
members or National Association of Rocketry (NAR) members. There will be a Model Rocket Range set-up for
under 18 model rocket flyers and eligible named-insured sponsor adult flyers. Eligible TRA member flyers may
fly Research and/or commercially certified motors per the Tripoli Research safety code. TRA Certification
flights are permitted on TRA Research days using Commercial motors. NAR members seeking certification sign-off
at AIRFest 23 are responsible for making their own certification authority arrangements.
All adult flyers must register as flyers for all launch days of AIRFest 23.
The Tripoli Research Safety Code prohibits access to the motor/rocket preparation
areas and the launch site (pad area) by spectators and invited guests who are not
members of TRA or NAR. Invited guests may be in the motor/rocket preparation areas but
may not be present at the launch site (pad area) unless they are TRA or NAR members.
That is, everyone on the range must be a Registered AIRFest 23 flyer and a
TRA or NAR member during AIRFest 23 - no children or non-member guests may go out
to the High Power range area to recover rockets until the LCO announces the High Power range to be
Clear and Safe.
Youth participants in the Tripoli Mentoring Program (TMP) may access the high-power range
within the stipulations of that program. Youth 12-17 and their Adult Mentor should
refer to the TRA TMP program guidlines here:
Link to TMP Overview
All restrictions codified in the Tripoli Research Safety Code will be enforced at
AIRFest 23. In order to accomplish this, all adult flyers must their AIRFest 23
Flyer's Badge. Non-member, non-registered people
will not be permitted
access to the flight line (i.e. east of the orange safety fence and outside the
Model Rocket Area) during launch operations.
IDENTIFICATION
Without exception, AIRFest 23 high-power Flyers must bring the following pieces
of identification:
- Positive Photo ID
- Active TRA or NAR membership card --OR--
- Other Certification level documentation if different from the membership card.
These items are required to verify each flyer's identity when picking-up their Flyers
Packet and Badge. Certification level will be indicated on the Flyer's Badge and
motor limits will be strictly adhered to during AIRFest 23.
Argonia Rocket Pasture
KLOUDBusters have enjoyed the use of one of the premier Launch Sites in the Heartland
of the U.S.A. for over 20 years. This site has hosted Tripoli's national launch
LDRS 6 times, which is the most of any launch site in the world. The surrounding
area is primarily crop land with a few areas of cattle grazing range. The countryside
is quite wide open for several miles with mostly unimproved roads cutting the landscape
into one square mile chunks. Most all of the surrounding crop land is usually used
to grow winter wheat (Sumner County is the #1 wheat producing county in the USA.
Occasionally, the farmers rotate the wheat crop with soybeans or milo (feed grain).
All this adds up to a great place to launch and recover rockets.
The KLOUDBusters Launch Control System (LCS) has the capability to service a large
number of pads from its main Command box. There will be banks of 8 pads set at safe
distances for the various motor classes. Additionally, remote launch services will
be available for extreme projects at the required safe distances.
There will be all popular sizes of launch rods and rails available at each pad bank.
Projects with special equipment needs should contact
The Prefect to determine availability.
FLYERS BRIEFINGS
Flyers Briefings will be announced when and if needed.
Click Here for a .PNG map to the
Argonia rocket Pasture.
Click Here for an Acrobat map to the
Argonia rocket Pasture.
Click Here for an aerial
view of the Argonia rocket Pasture.
This photo was taken from a Tom Savoie rocket.
Click Here for the Argonia Weather forecast.