RIMRA 2024 Halloween Rocket Launch this Saturday, October 19th, 2024

May be an image of 4 people and text

🎃💀RIMRA 2024 Halloween Launch 💀🎃

T-Minus 2 Days and all systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Low-Power/Mid-Power Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, October 19th, 2024.

Make a note… our last launch for this year, the 2nd Annual Veterans Day Launch, is scheduled for Saturday, November 16th, 2024.  For this launch onlywe have been cleared by URI to fly high-power motors.   Please email Bob Hoffman at HLR02852@aol.com with your rocket name/type, motor size, and rail size so that we can plan a tentative launch schedule and pad needs.

RIMRA will also be selling raffle tickets this Saturday to support next month’s Veterans Day Launch. Tickets are $5 each or 3 tickets for $10. First Prize is an Estes “Great Goblin” with upgraded fins and centering rings. Second Prize is a New Way Rockets “The Bat”. Any and all support for our veterans event is greatly appreciated!

Per our launch protocol, the final call will be made at 6:00 p.m. this Friday evening.  Please monitor our website, Facebook page and/or emails prior to the launch for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations due to unforeseen weather or poor field conditions)  www.rimra.org or https://www.facebook.com/rimra755

We continue to ONLY have clearance to launch low-power/mid-power, black-powder motors (size A through F)We DO NOT have clearance to launch any high-power rocket motors. 

ALL individual flyers will need to sign a waiver, release and risk assumption form provided by the University of Rhode Island.

We will begin setting up at 8:30 a.m. with our first launch planned for appx. 9:30 a.m. , and continuing until appx. 2:00 p.m.  Please arrive early, as we will shut down operations when launch activity slows or when members run out of motors. As always, the club appreciates members’ help with set up/break down of the launch site equipment.

In order to cover expenses for the club, there will be a $10.00 fee per individual flying their rockets, and is good for the entire day!  You do not need to be a RIMRA member to launch your rockets.

Join us for an exciting full day of launching rockets…we’re looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

As always, please read this entire post for important news, announcements and full launch information. 


News & Announcements

  • Field Conditions  Peckham Farm field has not been mowed recently.  It is highly recommended you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.  We will make updates on the RIMRA Facebook page once we determine the field conditions.

  • Safety Alert  There is a recall of several sizes of Estes rocket motors. RIMRA has acquired potential replacement motors.  Please see Bob Hoffman at the launches to potentially swap impacted motors with a replacement.  Also, for your convenience, Bob has extra black-powder motors and e-match ignitors that he will sell “at cost”.

  • Remaining 2024 Launch Schedule 

    • Halloween Rocket Launch  Saturday, October 19th;  Rain Date: Sunday, October 20th.

    • 2nd Annual Veterans Day Rocket Launch  Saturday, November 16th;  Rain Date: Sunday, November 17th (see more information below)

  • Additional RIMRA Supported Events

    • RIMRA will be supporting the Rocketry Enrichment Classes for the East Greenwich Eldredge Elementary School in East Greenwich, RI.   This 6-week workshop will be held on Friday morning before school on the following dates: October 11, 18, 25, and November 1, 8, 15.  This workshop is only available to children enrolled at Eldredge Elementary School: https://tinyurl.com/EES-Enrich-Fall2024

    • It is our pleasure to once again announce that veterans are invited to “Fly for Free” at our 2nd Annual Veterans Rocket Day Launch on Saturday, November 16th, 2024.  Last year’s event was epic, so don’t miss out on this special event!  We will be providing more information about this special launch in future announcements.

      And…due to the very special nature of this event, RIMRA has been cleared by URI to fly high-power motors for this launch!  Please email Bob Hoffman at HLR02852@aol.com with your rocket name/type, motor size, and rail size so that we can plan a tentative launch schedule and pad needs.. 

 

Launch Logistics & Information

Field Access and Entrance
Parking on the field will only be allowed on the dirt road (at your own risk). Parking on the field itself is not permitted.  You can also park at the Ryan Center and use the bike path to walk to the field.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance, as that entrance to the field now has an electric fencePlease access the field from  the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through a dirt road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  We will post signs to mark the entrance. See the attached map for a description.

Please note that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field.  THIS IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON!  When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers who will be using the path.

We are hoping to keep this arrangement with the university, so please be careful and courteous.

All members will be required to update their information in order to keep our membership records and mailing list current.  When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to update your membership information.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for launch fees and donations.

The club will have some canopies and chairs, but please be prepared to be outdoors (water, sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, etc.).Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

Special Policies for RIMRA Launches at Peckham Farm    

The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island Property. All launches held by the Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) at Peckham Farm are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm. All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, the Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

Address of Launch Site: Dirt Road Prior to West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the Rocket Launch Signage for the entrance!

From the South Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From the North Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From Newport  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) is a sanctioned section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

Our Vision & Mission
The vision of Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association (RIMRA) is to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through engagement with the physical sciences.  The mission of RIMRA is to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM experiences.

If you haven’t been to a RIMRA launch recently, you should join us!  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

If you would like to unsubscribe from the RIMRA distribution list, please send an email to daniel.dimase@aerocyonics.com requesting to ‘Unsubscribe to RIMRA’ in the subject line of the email.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✦✦✦

                      April 28, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Board of Directors is greatly disappointed to announce that RIMRA is no longer able to utilize the Peckham Farm field due to the University of Rhode Island’s expansion of its agricultural facility and programs.  Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to obtain a viable field for our launches this year.  

A secondary field at URI may be viable for low-power launches only, and the club is currently evaluating the logistics.   We have attempted to obtain the use of other fields in Exeter west of Route 2, however launches at these fields are prohibited due to FAA restrictions.  We were also in discussion with a large turf farm adjacent to Chariho School.  However, they were concerned that our use could potentially invite unauthorized use by others. 

In  the meantime, if ANYONE is aware of any potential field locations, please contact us for further discussion and evaluation.  Potential fields should be an approximate minimum size of 3000 ft. by 3000 ft. and may be located anywhere throughout the state. 

We will keep RIMRA members updated as our situation progresses and  other possibilities can be identified and investigated.   As always, your help  and patience is appreciated! 

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914

Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

 

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA 2024 Halloween Rocket Launch this Saturday, October 19th, 2024

RIMRA Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this SUNDAY, September 22nd, 2024

** 09/21/24  6:30p.m. T-Minus 1-Day update **  Sunday’s launch is still a “GO”! Any potential schedule changes on Sunday morning will be communicated via eMail **

 

T-Minus 3 Days and all systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Low-Power/Mid-Power Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this SUNDAY, September 22nd, 2024.

***
Please note that the launch will be held on Sunday due to the forecasted rain on Saturday.  The forecast has been uncertain, so we will continue to monitor the weather and will provide updates if anything changes for the planned Sunday launch.

Per our launch protocol, the final call will be made at 6:00 p.m. this Saturday evening.  Please monitor our website, Facebook page and/or emails prior to the launch for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations due to unforeseen weather or poor field conditions)  www.rimra.org or https://www.facebook.com/rimra755

We continue to ONLY have clearance to launch low-power/mid-power, black-powder motors (size A through F)We DO NOT have clearance to launch any high-power rocket motors. 

ALL individual flyers will need to sign a waiver, release and risk assumption form provided by the University of Rhode Island.

We will begin setting up at 8:30 a.m. with our first launch planned for appx. 9:30 a.m. , and continuing until appx. 2:00 p.m.  Please arrive early, as we will shut down operations when launch activity slows or when members run out of motors. As always, the club appreciates members’ help with set up/break down of the launch site equipment.

In order to cover expenses for the club, there will be a $10.00 fee per individual flying their rockets, and is good for the entire day!  You do not need to be a RIMRA member to launch your rockets.

Join us for an exciting full day of launching rockets…we’re looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

As always, please read this entire post for important news, announcements and full launch information. 


News & Announcements

  • Field Conditions  Peckham Farm field has not been mowed recently.  It is highly recommended you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.  We will make updates on the RIMRA Facebook page once we determine the field conditions.

  • Safety Alert  There is a recall of several sizes of Estes rocket motors. RIMRA has acquired potential replacement motors.  Please see Bob Hoffman at the launches to potentially swap impacted motors with a replacement.  Also, for your convenience, Bob has extra black-powder motors and e-match ignitors that he will sell “at cost”.

  • Remaining 2024 Launch Schedule 

    • September Rocket Launch  rescheduled to Sunday, September 22nd. 

    • Halloween Rocket Launch  Saturday, October 19th;  Rain Date: Sunday, October 20th.

    • 2nd Annual Veterans Day Rocket Launch  Saturday, November 16th;  Rain Date: Sunday, November 17th (see more information below)

  • Additional RIMRA Supported Events

    • RIMRA will be supporting the Rocketry Enrichment Classes for the East Greenwich Eldredge Elementary School in East Greenwich, RI.   This 6-week workshop will be held on Friday morning before school on the following dates: October 11, 18, 25, and November 1, 8, 15.  This workshop is only available to children enrolled at Eldredge Elementary School: https://tinyurl.com/EES-Enrich-Fall2024

    • We will be hosting our 2nd Annual Veterans Rockets Building Workshop on Saturday, October 12th, 2024, at the Providence Veterans Administration Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue in Providence, RI.

      This workshop is tailored exclusively for veterans and their families! 
      Rocket kits, motors, and building supplies for the workshop will be provided courtesy of Aerocyonics, Inc. and Hoffman Engineering, Inc.  If you are a veteran and interested in participating in the Veterans Rockets Building Workshop, sign up by September 30th or sooner by sending an email to Lucy DiMase @ Lucy.DiMase@va.gov  to secure your spot due to limited capacity.

    • It is our pleasure to once again announce that veterans are invited to “Fly for Free” at our 2nd Annual Veterans Rocket Day Launch on Saturday, November 16th, 2024.  Last year’s event was epic, so don’t miss out on this special event!  We will be providing more information about this special launch in future announcements.

      And…due to the very special nature of this event, RIMRA has been cleared by URI to fly high-power motors for this launch!  Please let us know if you plan to fly a J-series motor or above so that we can logistically plan for those launches. 

Launch Logistics & Information

Field Access and Entrance
Parking on the field will only be allowed on the dirt road (at your own risk). Parking on the field itself is not permitted.  You can also park at the Ryan Center and use the bike path to walk to the field.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance, as that entrance to the field now has an electric fencePlease access the field from  the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through a dirt road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  We will post signs to mark the entrance. See the attached map for a description.

Please note that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field.  THIS IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON!  When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers who will be using the path.

We are hoping to keep this arrangement with the university, so please be careful and courteous.

All members will be required to update their information in order to keep our membership records and mailing list current.  When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to update your membership information.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for launch fees and donations.

The club will have some canopies and chairs, but please be prepared to be outdoors (water, sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, etc.).Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

Special Policies for RIMRA Launches at Peckham Farm    

The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island Property. All launches held by the Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) at Peckham Farm are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm. All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, the Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

Address of Launch Site: Dirt Road Prior to West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the Rocket Launch Signage for the entrance!

From the South Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From the North Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From Newport  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) is a sanctioned section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

Our Vision & Mission
The vision of Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association (RIMRA) is to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through engagement with the physical sciences.  The mission of RIMRA is to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM experiences.

If you haven’t been to a RIMRA launch recently, you should join us!  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

If you would like to unsubscribe from the RIMRA distribution list, please send an email to daniel.dimase@aerocyonics.com requesting to ‘Unsubscribe to RIMRA’ in the subject line of the email.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✦✦✦

                      April 28, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Board of Directors is greatly disappointed to announce that RIMRA is no longer able to utilize the Peckham Farm field due to the University of Rhode Island’s expansion of its agricultural facility and programs.  Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to obtain a viable field for our launches this year.  

A secondary field at URI may be viable for low-power launches only, and the club is currently evaluating the logistics.   We have attempted to obtain the use of other fields in Exeter west of Route 2, however launches at these fields are prohibited due to FAA restrictions.  We were also in discussion with a large turf farm adjacent to Chariho School.  However, they were concerned that our use could potentially invite unauthorized use by others. 

In  the meantime, if ANYONE is aware of any potential field locations, please contact us for further discussion and evaluation.  Potential fields should be an approximate minimum size of 3000 ft. by 3000 ft. and may be located anywhere throughout the state. 

We will keep RIMRA members updated as our situation progresses and  other possibilities can be identified and investigated.   As always, your help  and patience is appreciated! 

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914

Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

 

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this SUNDAY, September 22nd, 2024

RIMRA Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, July 20th, 2024

T-Minus Five Days, all systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Low-Power/Mid-Power Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, July 20th, 2024  (Rain Date: Sunday, July 21st).

Please note that we only have clearance to launch low-power and mid-power, black-powder motors (i.e. A through F black-powder motors).  We do not have clearance to launch high-power rocket motors, and all motors must be black-powder only. 

Please Note:  All individual flyers will need to sign a waiver, release and assumption of risk form provided by the University of Rhode Island.

We will begin setting up at 8:30 AM, with our first launch planned for appx. 9:30 AM. The club always appreciates members’ assistance setting up and breaking down the launch site equipment. 

Launches typically continue until approximately 2:00 PMPlease arrive early, as we will shut down operations when the launch activity slows and/or when members are running out of motors and rockets to launch.

In order to cover expenses for the club, there will be a $10.00 fee per individual flying their rockets, and is good for the entire day!  You do not need to be a RIMRA member to launch your rockets.

News Announcements

  • We are unsure whether the Peckham Farm field has been mowed recently.  It is highly recommended you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.  We will make updates on the RIMRA Facebook page once we determine the field conditions.

  • For your convenience, Bob Hoffman has extra black-powder motors and e-match ignitors that he will sell at cost.

  • There is a recall of Estes D12-3 and D12-5 motors.  Bob Hoffman will provide the information with the affected serial numbers at the launch.

  • Please read this entire post for full launch information.  Per our launch protocol, the final call will be made at 6:00 PM ET this Friday evening.  Please monitor our website or Facebook page prior to the launch for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations due to unforeseen weather or poor field conditions):  www.rimra.org or https://www.facebook.com/rimra755.

Field Access and Entrance
Parking on the field will only be allowed on the dirt road (at your own risk). Parking on the field itself is not permitted.  You can also park at the Ryan Center and use the bike path to walk to the field.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance, as that entrance to the field now has an electric fencePlease access the field from  the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through a dirt road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  We will post signs to mark the entrance. See the attached map for a description.

Please note that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field.  THIS IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON!  When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers who will be using the path.

We are hoping to keep this arrangement with the university, so please be careful and courteous.

All members will be required to update their information in order to keep our membership records and mailing list current.  When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to update your membership information.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for launch fees and donations.

The club will have some canopies and chairs, but please be prepared to be outdoors (water, sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, etc.).Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

Special Policies for RIMRA Launches at Peckham Farm    

The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island Property. All launches held by the Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) at Peckham Farm are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm. All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, the Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

Join us for an exciting full day launching rockets! We hope to see you this weekend!

Address of Launch Site: Dirt Road Prior to West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the Rocket Launch Signage for the entrance!

From the South Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From the North Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From Newport  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) is a sanctioned section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

Our Vision & Mission
The vision of Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association (RIMRA) is to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through engagement with the physical sciences.  The mission of RIMRA is to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM experiences.

If you haven’t been to a RIMRA launch recently, you should join us!  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

If you would like to unsubscribe from the RIMRA distribution list, please send an email to daniel.dimase@aerocyonics.com requesting to ‘Unsubscribe to RIMRA’ in the subject line of the email.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✦✦✦

                      April 28, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Board of Directors is greatly disappointed to announce that RIMRA is no longer able to utilize the Peckham Farm field due to the University of Rhode Island’s expansion of its agricultural facility and programs.  Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to obtain a viable field for our launches this year.  

A secondary field at URI may be viable for low-power launches only, and the club is currently evaluating the logistics.   We have attempted to obtain the use of other fields in Exeter west of Route 2, however launches at these fields are prohibited due to FAA restrictions.  We were also in discussion with a large turf farm adjacent to Chariho School.  However, they were concerned that our use could potentially invite unauthorized use by others. 

In  the meantime, if ANYONE is aware of any potential field locations, please contact us for further discussion and evaluation.  Potential fields should be an approximate minimum size of 3000 ft. by 3000 ft. and may be located anywhere throughout the state. 

We will keep RIMRA members updated as our situation progresses and  other possibilities can be identified and investigated.   As always, your help  and patience is appreciated! 

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914

Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

 

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, July 20th, 2024

RIMRA Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, June 15th, 2024

T-Minus Three Days, all systems are a go for a RIMRA Low-Power/Mid-Power Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, June 15th, 2024  (Rain Date: Sunday, June 16th).

Please note that we only have clearance to launch low-power and mid-power, black-powder motors (i.e. A through F black-powder motors).  We do not have clearance to launch high-power rocket motors, and all motors must be black-powder only.

𝑷𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬 𝑵𝑶𝑻𝑬: 𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒂𝒕 𝟖:𝟑𝟎 𝑨𝑴, 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝟗:𝟎𝟎 𝑨𝑴 (𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒑), 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝟗:𝟑𝟎𝒂.𝒎.  The club appreciates your assistance setting up and breaking down the launch site equipment. 

𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒘𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 (~ 2:00 𝑷𝑴). 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉! 

In order to cover expenses for the club, there will be a $10.00 fee per individual flying their rockets, and is good for the entire day!

 

** Please read this entire post for full launch information ** 

Per our launch protocol, the final call will be made at 6:00 PM ET this Friday evening.  Please monitor our website or Facebook page prior to launch for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations due to unforeseen weather or poor field conditions): www.rimra.org or https://www.facebook.com/rimra755.

Please note the following change to the field access and entrance! Parking will only be allowed on the dirt road on the field! You could also park at the Ryan Center and use the bike path to walk to the field.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance, as that entrance to the field now has an electric fence.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through a dirt road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  We will post signs to mark the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

Please note that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field.  THIS IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON!  When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers who will be using the path.

Individuals are able to park on the dirt road on the field (at your own risk). Parking is not permitted on the field itself.  We are hoping to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

All members will be required to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to update your membership information.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for donations.

The club will have some canopies and chairs, but please be prepared to be outdoors (water, sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, etc.).Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

Special Policies for RIMRA Launches at Peckham Farm    

The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island Property. All launches held by the Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) at Peckham Farm are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm. All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, the Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

Join us for an exciting full day launching rockets! We hope to see you this weekend!

Address of Launch Site: Dirt Road Prior to West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the Rocket Launch Signage for the entrance!

From the South Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From the North Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From Newport  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) is a sanctioned section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

Our Vision & Mission
The vision of Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association (RIMRA) is to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through engagement with the physical sciences.  The mission of RIMRA is to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM experiences.

If you haven’t been to a RIMRA launch recently, you should join us!  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

If you would like to unsubscribe from the RIMRA distribution list, please send an email to daniel.dimase@aerocyonics.com requesting to ‘Unsubscribe to RIMRA’ in the subject line of the email.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✦✦✦

                      April 28, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Board of Directors is greatly disappointed to announce that RIMRA is no longer able to utilize the Peckham Farm field due to the University of Rhode Island’s expansion of its agricultural facility and programs.  Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to obtain a viable field for our launches this year.  

A secondary field at URI may be viable for low-power launches only, and the club is currently evaluating the logistics.   We have attempted to obtain the use of other fields in Exeter west of Route 2, however launches at these fields are prohibited due to FAA restrictions.  We were also in discussion with a large turf farm adjacent to Chariho School.  However, they were concerned that our use could potentially invite unauthorized use by others. 

In  the meantime, if ANYONE is aware of any potential field locations, please contact us for further discussion and evaluation.  Potential fields should be an approximate minimum size of 3000 ft. by 3000 ft. and may be located anywhere throughout the state. 

We will keep RIMRA members updated as our situation progresses and  other possibilities can be identified and investigated.   As always, your help  and patience is appreciated! 

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914

Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

 

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, June 15th, 2024

RIMRA *** Special Launch *** Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, May 11th, 2024

T-Minus Three Days, all systems are a go for a RIMRA Low-Power/Mid-Power Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, May 11th, 2024.

Please note that we only have clearance to launch low-power and mid-power, black-powder motors (i.e. A through F black-powder motors).  We do not have clearance to launch high-power rocket motors, and all motors must be black-powder only.

 We will begin setting up at 9:30 AM, with our first launch planned at ~ 10 AM, and continue until we run out of motors (~ 2 PM).  Please arrive early as we will shut down operations when the launch activity slows and when members are running out of rockets and motors to launch!  The club appreciates your assistance setting up and breaking down the launch equipment. A $10.00 donation per individual flying rockets for the day would be appreciated to cover expenses for the club.

Please read this entire email for important information about the launch! 

Per our launch protocol, the final call will be made at 6 PM ET this Friday evening.  Please monitor our website or Facebook page prior to launch for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations due to unforeseen weather or poor field conditions): www.rimra.org or https://www.facebook.com/rimra755.

Please note the following change to the field access and entrance! Parking will only be allowed on the dirt road on the field! You could also park at the Ryan Center and use the bike path to walk to the field.

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an electric fence.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through a dirt road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  We will post signs to mark the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Also, please note that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field.  THIS IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON!  Also, when you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that will be using the path.

Individuals are able to park on the dirt road on the field (at your own risk). Parking is not permitted on the field itself.  We are hoping to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

All members will be required to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to update your membership information.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for donations.

The club will have some canopies and chairs, but please be prepared to be outdoors (water, sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, etc.).Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

Special Policies for RIMRA Launches at Peckham Farm    

The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island Property. All launches held by the Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) at Peckham Farm are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm. All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, the Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

Join us for an exciting full day launching rockets! We hope to see you this weekend!

Address of Launch Site: Dirt Road Prior to West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the Rocket Launch Signage for the entrance!

From the South Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From the North Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

From Newport  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the Large University of Rhode Island stone wall. Continue for about 1/3 a mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Rd.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to West Kingston School.

The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) is a sanctioned section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

Our Vision & Mission
The vision of Rhode Island Model Rocketry Association (RIMRA) is to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through engagement with the physical sciences.  The mission of RIMRA is to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM experiences.

If you haven’t been to a RIMRA launch recently, you should join us!  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

If you would like to unsubscribe from the RIMRA distribution list, please send an email to daniel.dimase@aerocyonics.com requesting to ‘Unsubscribe to RIMRA’ in the subject line of the email.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✦✦✦

                      April 28, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Board of Directors is greatly disappointed to announce that RIMRA is no longer able to utilize the Peckham Farm field due to the University of Rhode Island’s expansion of its agricultural facility and programs.  Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to obtain a viable field for our launches this year.  

A secondary field at URI may be viable for low-power launches only, and the club is currently evaluating the logistics.   We have attempted to obtain the use of other fields in Exeter west of Route 2, however launches at these fields are prohibited due to FAA restrictions.  We were also in discussion with a large turf farm adjacent to Chariho School.  However, they were concerned that our use could potentially invite unauthorized use by others. 

In  the meantime, if ANYONE is aware of any potential field locations, please contact us for further discussion and evaluation.  Potential fields should be an approximate minimum size of 3000 ft. by 3000 ft. and may be located anywhere throughout the state. 

We will keep RIMRA members updated as our situation progresses and  other possibilities can be identified and investigated.   As always, your help  and patience is appreciated! 

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914

Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

 

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA *** Special Launch *** Low/Mid-Power, Black-Powder-Only Rocket Launch this Saturday, May 11th, 2024

RIMRA *** Special Announcement ***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✦✦✦
                      April 28, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Board of Directors is greatly disappointed to announce that RIMRA is no longer able to utilize the Peckham Farm field due to the University of Rhode Island’s expansion of its agricultural facility and programs.  Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to obtain a viable field for our launches this year.  

A secondary field at URI may be viable for low-power launches only, and the club is currently evaluating the logistics.   We have attempted to obtain the use of other fields in Exeter west of Route 2, however launches at these fields are prohibited due to FAA restrictions.  We were also in discussion with a large turf farm adjacent to Chariho School.  However, they were concerned that our use could potentially invite unauthorized use by others. 

In  the meantime, if ANYONE is aware of any potential field locations, please contact us for further discussion and evaluation.  Potential fields should be an approximate minimum size of 3000 ft. by 3000 ft. and may be located anywhere throughout the state. 

We will keep RIMRA members updated as our situation progresses and  other possibilities can be identified and investigated.   As always, your help  and patience is appreciated! 

Best regards,

Daniel DiMase, RIMRA President
Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914

Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

 

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA *** Special Announcement ***

RIMRA “Veterans Day Launch Notice” – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2023




All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Veterans Day Launch this SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th!


 
Veterans+Day.jpg
IMG-1291.jpgIMG-1296.jpg
✦✦ 
Be sure to arrive early for our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. featuring Louis Shriber from the URI Choir singing the National Anthem along with presentation of our nation’s colors by cadet members of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol ! ✦✦

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for this special Veterans Day launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ THIS WEEKEND!!   Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set-up time for this event will be 7:00a.m. with Opening Ceremonies beginning at 9:30a.m.


Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Veterans, please note… for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

This event will have a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty on the field for convenience.  Cadets from the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol will support the Veterans Day Rocket Launch to assist all veterans in loading their rockets on launch pads and retrieving them from the field after they are launched.

And… don’t miss the Veterans Day Launch Raffle, with prizes valued at over $400.00 !  Prizes donated by Hoffman Engineering, Inc. and Aerocyonics, Inc. include…
  – 1st Prize – Boyce Aerospace Honest John kit 
  – 2nd Prize – Tank Buster Missile kit
  – 3rd Prize – Estes Patriot Missile kit
  – Bonus Prize – a $50.00 Gift Card to Hobby Lobby
  – Bonus Prize – “The History of the Space Shuttle” book

One hundred percent 0f all proceeds will be used to benefit future Veterans R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshops
Tickets for this highly beneficial cause are $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00.

Please see notes below for Parking and Field Access, and early start times for this special event!

For more information, click here to visit our new
Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY.  We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to the anticipated high-number of attendees, we will have individuals directing traffic into designated parking areas. Please note the layout planned on the image above for designated parking areas on the field. There will also be dedicated handicap parking areas on the field. Individuals parking on the field do so at their own risk! West Kingston Elementary School has given RIMRA permission to utilize their parking lot for our event on Saturday. Their address is 3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892

image.png

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!

The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 7:00 AM, with our opening ceremony planned at 9:30a.m. and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA “Veterans Day Launch Notice” – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2023

RIMRA “Bonus Halloween” Launch Notice – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 2023

All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Launch this SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28th!

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

  ** ATTENTION ** ATTENTION ** ATTENTION **
Membership volunteer assistance is needed at this weekend’s launch… please see the Special Notices & Announcements section below…

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for a launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!

 

 ✦✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE NEEDED THIS WEEKEND 10/28 ✦✦

Calling all members!!  We are short staffed for this launch!  We need volunteers to assist with set-up and break-down of the launch equipment. 

We will begin set-up ~ 8:15 a.m. and break down early in the afternoon.  Please plan on arriving early to assist with the set-up and be prepared to launch earlier than usual, as we may need to end launch operations sooner if we don’t have enough volunteers to assist with packing the launch equipment back into the trailer. We typically haven’t had enough volunteers to assist in packing the trailer at the end of the day, and will definitely need help for this launch.  Please see Daniel DiMase if you are able to assist with the end of the day equipment breakdown so we can plan the day accordingly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦NEW!! The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ NEW!!  BONUS Halloween Rocket Launch
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM to ~ 3:00 PM

The first 24 kids under age 16 will receive a FREE Estes Shattered Rocket Kit courtesy of Aerocyonics, Inc. and a motor courtesy of Hoffman Engineering!  It’s “First-Come, First-Served”, so arrive early!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ NEW!! Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM to ~ 3:00 PM

Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Please Note: Veterans…for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

For more information, click here to visit our new Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail
for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.

✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY. 
We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ ENDED✦R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshop for Veterans
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM to ~ 12:00 Noon
Where: Providence VA Medical Center,
830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908
5th Floor, Classroom 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!
The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 8:15 AM, with our first launch planned at approximately 9:30a.m. – 10:00a.m., and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA “Bonus Halloween” Launch Notice – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, 2023

RIMRA Launch Notice – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2023

All systems are “Go” for a RIMRA Launch this SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14th!

Please read this entire message for important information about this weekend’s launch!

RIMRA is giving the green light to our members for a launch this weekend at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch for free, so spread the word!

Per our “Launch Protocol the final call will be made at 6:00p.m. EST Friday evening.  Please monitor this website or our Facebook page prior to the event for updates (e.g. weather delays/cancellations, poor field conditions, etc).

Be sure to read the updated 2023 RIMRA Launch Protocol. All fliers are expected to have read and abide by this protocol.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a NAR member and bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days. Either printed or imaged versions are accepted.

Want to know more about RIMRA?? If you haven’t been to a recent RIMRA launch, join us to see what’s new and share in the excitement and fun!  As always, we welcome spectators to attend and watch the launches for free. We hope you’ll join us this weekend for an exciting day of launching rockets!

 ✦✦✦ SPECIAL NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS ✦✦✦
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦NEW!! The Peckham Farm field has not been mowed in quite some time.  It is highly recommended that you use chirpers, bright parachutes, and even a GPS in an attempt to recover rockets in the field.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ NEW!!  BONUS Halloween Rocket Launch
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM to ~ 3:00 PM

The first 24 kids under age 16 will receive a FREE Estes Shattered Rocket Kit courtesy of Aerocyonics, Inc. and a motor courtesy of Hoffman Engineering!  It’s “First-Come, First-Served”, so arrive early!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ NEW!! Veterans Day Rocket Launch
When: Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM to ~ 3:00 PM

Veterans launch for free on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023! Just bring your Veteran card. You will have access to the low-power pads (A-D motors) and mid/high-power pads (E motors and above).

Please Note: Veterans…for access to the mid-power and high-power pads, you will need to be a NAR member and have a current active NAR membership card (https://www.nar.org/join-nar/). 

For more information, click here to visit our new Special Events page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Rockets weighing over 12 lbs. should be launched on the 1515 rail
for safety and stability of your launch The club has 1515 rail buttons that we can provide for free to retrofit your rocket.

✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦  Several club members are planning to attend LDRS 2024 June 6-9, 2024 at Potter, NY. 
We will utilize the club trailer to transport rockets to the event.  Interested individuals should reach out to Bob Hoffman (hlr02852@aol.com) if you would like to attend LDRS with the club and would like to transport your rockets in the club trailer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ CONTINUED ✦✦ The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 is here!
The American Rocketry Challenge 2024 program has begun! Registration is open from now until December 1, 2023. Click the link below to register… https://rocketcontest.smapply.io/prog/2024_american_rocketry
_challenge/

The full rules are posted at https://rocketcontest.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Rocketry-Challenge-2024-rules-version.pdf
Teams competing in the American Rocketry Challenge have the chance to win a part of over $100,000 in prizes! If you are interested, please speak with Daniel DiMase at the launch on Saturday or contact him via email or a phone call (Dan’s contact information is listed at the bottom of this posting).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
✦✦ ENDED✦R.O.C.K.E.T.S. Building Workshop for Veterans
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM to ~ 12:00 Noon
Where: Providence VA Medical Center,
830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908
5th Floor, Classroom 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please note the following changes to the field access and entrance!
The entrance to the field from Peckham Farm now has an ELECTRIFIED FENCE.  Please access the field through the back entrance located on Ministerial Road.  This is through an unpaved road before the entrance to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892) located near the field.  “Rocket Launch” signs will be posted marking the entrance.  The attached map provides a description.

DO NOT enter the field from the Peckham Farm road entrance!  Be aware that there is a paved bike path that is on the edge of the field… IT IS NOT A ROAD TO BE DRIVEN ON! 

When you cross the bike path from the Ministerial Road entrance, please be aware of bikers, runners, and walkers that are using the path.

Individuals are allowed to park on the field (at your own risk).  We work closely with the university administration to keep this arrangement, so please be careful and courteous.

Click here >> “Launch Information” for Launch Site Information and Travel Directions.


LAUNCH DAY SCHEDULE
We will begin setting up at 8:15 AM, with our first launch planned at approximately 9:30a.m. – 10:00a.m., and continue until we run out of motors (~ 3:00p.m.).  We request (and appreciate!) club members assistance in launch equipment setup, breakdown, and manning the grill at lunch-time.

 

We will be grilling hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches around 12:00 noon. and will have water, soda, and chips for sale.  All food concession sales help to support club expenses!

 

The club has only a limited number of canopies and chairs that are reserved for staff use. So, please be prepared to be outdoors (chairs, canopies, ground blankets, water, sunscreen, insect spray, jackets, etc.).  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR LAUNCHES AT URI PECKHAM FARM    
All RIMRA launches are held at Peckham Farm and are coordinated with the permission of the landowner (URI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Over the past few years, RIMRA has developed a set of standard protocols that respect the crops and on-going work at Peckham Farm.

If you plan to attempt a certification flight, please contact Daniel DiMase prior to the launch. Once we begin launching, a Range Safety Officer (RSO) will check your rocket at the member table prior to clearing you to launch. The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will let you know which pad to load your rocket.

We now have capacity for 16 low-power pads (A-D motors), 8 mid/medium-power pads (E-G motors), and 4+ high-power pads (>G motors).  Please contact us in advance if you plan on flying a rocket with cluster motors or greater than/equal to a K motor, so that we can plan accordingly and set up the launch pads on the field in accordance with the NAR Safety Protocol. 

All launch activities, including adherence to the aforementioned policies, will be coordinated by Brenton DeBoef, Dean of the URI Graduate School:  bdeboef@uri.edu.

 

THE RIMRA VISION & MISSION
Our Vision: to promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM/STEAM) through engaging with the physical sciences.

Our Mission: to provide a safe venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring all ages of people together that are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM/STEAM experiences.

RIMRA is a chartered and insured section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR # 755).  Safety is our number one priority, and is managed through a range safety protocol by experienced rocketeers in accordance with the NAR Safety Codes.

2023 REGISTRATION RENEWALS & FEE SCHEDULE
All members will be required to fill out a new Membership Form to update your information and keep our mailing list current.  You can download the 2023 form on this website, complete it, and bring it with you to this launch or the next scheduled launch. We will also have extra forms you can fill out on the field at the member table for your convenience. When you arrive at the field, please go to the member table to check-in, submit your membership form and pay any required membership fees.  RIMRA accepts cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal for payments. The 4% transaction fee the club incurs for Venmo and PayPal payments will be charged to you.

If you are flying medium-power and/or high-power rockets, you must be a member of NAR, so please bring your current NAR membership card with you on launch days.

The RIMRA Board of Directors has approved new membership fees to support the needs of the club (see below).  If you have already paid membership, the club will honor your current membership until it expires, and then role you into the new fee structure. The new membership fees are needed to keep up with maintenance and expansion of the club equipment and repairs, registration and insurance of the club trailer, signage, and other club expenses as we grow our membership and serve the community.

Club expenses have exceeded membership dues collected over the past few years, and thanks to the generous donations from several club members, a few corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Hoffman Engineering, and Aerocyonics), and NAR grants, we were able to make necessary repairs to the club trailer and launch equipment, expand the low-power launch pads, medium-power launch pads, high-power launch pads, and expand our wireless launch controller system to accommodate additional launch pads.  We have also updated the wireless controllers with encryption to improve the safety features of the equipment from arbitrarily misfiring due to signals from other devices in the area.  We plan to set aside a portion of the membership funds collected to save for the purchase of a replacement trailer to transport and store the club equipment, hopefully within the next year, depending upon available funds.


 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY & INVOLVEMENT
RIMRA plans to advance its support of middle-schools, high-schools, and colleges in activities such as the American Rocketry ChallengeNAR high power rocketry certifications, BSA, Girl Scouts, 4H, Civil Air Patrol, and additional outreach activities supporting STEM/STEAM.  For groups planning to launch at one of our events, please contact us in advance to make sure we have enough staff and support to manage your group safely.

Most importantly, we are here to serve you – the members of the club and the local community.  We are looking for your input to improve our club.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.  We appreciate your feedback!

RIMRA is staffed and managed by an entirely volunteer group of individuals.  No one is paid from the membership or launch fees, or any other source.  We need additional volunteers to support the growing needs of the club.  If you are interested in helping our group, please reach out to us, or indicate your willingness to assist when you fill out our survey.

 

LAUNCH SITE ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS
The launch site is located on University of Rhode Island (URI) property. The Launch field is located across Rt. 138 from the URI Ryan Center parking lot at the end of Peckham Farm Road. The entrance to the launch site is the unpaved road prior to the West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI  02892).  Look for the “Rocket Launch” signs for the entrance!

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 3A (Route 138 East). Continue east on Route 138 for about 11 miles to the University past the outdoor URI marquee and Boss Ice Arena. Turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 9 (Route 4 South); follow Route 4 to Route 1 South. Stay on Route 1 until the intersection of Route 138 West. Turn right on Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles. Go straight past  Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

From Newport:  Follow Route 138 West over the Newport and Jamestown bridges to Route 1. Take Route 1 South to Route 138 West. Travel on Route 138 west for about 6 miles. Go straight past Upper College Road where you will see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance. Continue for about 1/3 mile and then turn left onto Ministerial Road.  Turn left on the dirt road prior to the West Kingston School.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

With our best regards,

Daniel DiMase, President
Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Tel: 401-398-2343
Mobile: 401-374-1914
Daniel.DiMase@Aerocyonics.com

Posted in RIMRA - Launch News | Comments Off on RIMRA Launch Notice – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2023

Veterans Day Rocketry Events – 2023

** Upcoming Special Event **
   Veterans Rocket Building Workshop – Saturday, October 7th 2023
   Veterans Day Rocket Launch – Saturday, November 11th 2023

Just a reminder about RIMRA’s Veterans Rocket Building Workshop being offered to veterans in preparation for the first Veterans Day Rocket Launch!

For more information, click here to visit our new Special Events page…

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Veterans Day Rocketry Events – 2023