Update March 20, 2019
As we had feared, we have not received our FAA waiver for our launch scheduled for March 23rd and are forced to postpone the launch. This delay appears to be caused by a backlog of work caused by the federal government shutdown that occurred earlier this year. We have been concerned that this may be the case and we have been in contact throughout the application process with the FAA representatives (as recent as today) and hopes were high that they would be able to deliver the waiver to us by today, unfortunately, that did not happen.
Additionally, the launch activation process requires at least a 72 hour notice so, even if we were to receive the approval at this point we are too close to the launch date to activate.
We are currently planning on holding the launch next weekend (March 30th) assuming we do receive the approved waiver and weather cooperates.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email president@uroc.org.
This launch will be held as a one-day event and will be held under the Tripoli Research rules. Also be aware that only members of UROC are allowed to participate in the launch. If you are not a member you can sign up online or at the launch.
As always, we will need help running the launch, RSO, LCO, pad managers and lots of help setting up and tearing down the range. We do have a Porta-Potty ordered for this launch. Set up is expected to begin around 8:00 am and we will fly in to the early afternoon or until the wind gets to be too strong.
If the weather conditions for the upcoming launch deteriorate or if the fire hazard becomes too high, we will try to notify everyone via our normal modes including the website, facebook, and twitter.
The Launch Site
Frank Hunt Field (formerly Pony Express Test Range) is the name of the location that the Utah Rocket Club uses for its primary launch site. The range is huge, treeless, and really a great place to fly rockets.We are lucky enough to have a 10,000 ft. AGL waiver at this site. We maintain a special permit on the location provided to us by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and an Airspace Waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The elevation of the launch site is 5300 feet above sea level and is very susceptible to thermals. It is therefore a great location for duration contest events.
Frank Hunt Field is used with the permission of the US. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). We have a waiver in place at these launches from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that allows our members to fly high-powered rockets to altitudes as high as 10,000ft AGL.
Because of the constant danger of range fires at this launch site "Sparkie" motors are not allowed to be flown at this site. They are welcomed at the Bonneville Salt Flats during HellFire however.
Frank Hunt Field launch events are insured by the National Association of Rocketry and/or the Tripoli Rocketry Association.
Frank Hunt Field is a high desert environment. This means that the temperatures can vary from month to month, and even from hour to hour. Remember that during the day, the site can be very hot and at night, very cold. Always make sure to wear your sunscreen (We recommend SPF 45) even when it is not hot and bring LOTS of WATER.
We try to have at least one porta-potty unit onsite for each launch at the field but cannot always guarantee it. If expected turnout is going to be very small or questionable due to weather or other circumstance it may be decided to forgo the cost of renting the porta-potty. It's important to remember that the nearest restroom facilities are at least a 15 minute drive away.
You can contact us a day or two prior to the launch to find out if a Porta-Potty will be available or not.
The GPS Coordinates for the Pony Express Test Range are: North 40.21879 degrees, west 112.24618 degrees.