This is a two hour job at Three Oaks and a one hour job at Ithaca. Unlike Registration, it needs to be filled all day. At Ithaca, this person also handles registration after 11:00 and at Three Oaks, this person handles registration after 3:00.

The RSO is the Range Safety Officer. The RSO is responsible for checking every rocket before the flyer can get into the launch line. The RSO has absolute authority to deny a flight if (s)he has any reason to believe the flight will not be safe. The RSO must be Level 2 or Level 3 certified and have a good grasp of what is a safe motor and rocket combination. They also need to make a judgement regarding a rocket's stability if the rocket is scratch built or a modified kit. The RSO should be able to read a computer generated model of a rocket and its flight characteristics. In case of a question, the RSO wears one of the TEAM-1 CB radio headsets and can just call for help if an issue arises.

If there is a complex rocket, such as an air start, staged, or clustered motors or a motor larger than a "J", the rocketeer should be instructed to set up at the away cell. This is a very important job as it effects the safety of ALL of us.

This important job needs to be done. If no one is RSO'ing the rockets, no rockets fly. It would help us all if those of you who are qualified step forward. If people do not volunteer for this job, we will need to solicit those who can do the job for help. Again, the members run the launch, and we hope this position is always filled with a qualified person without us having to resort to "Strong Arm" tactics.

The RSO table is also the place where people are reminded to install their igniters at the igniter prep table and to arm their altimeters at the pad. Anyone approaching the RSO table with igniters already installed or electronics that are already armed must be instructed to immediatly disarm the electronics and remove the igniters. No one should be standing in the launch line with an armed altimeter especially with un-shunted (ie: active, ready to blow) ejection charges.

If an issue arises at the RSO table that you feel is beyond your experience, call on the CB for assistance. Stuart, or one of the "old timers" will come to check things out. We need to make it a priority to maintain a SAFE launch environment. A heavy rocket with a cluster of black powder and composite motors should be flagged, and checked out by one of the club officials. A rocketeer's claim he has done something before does not justify passing it along if you are not comfortable with it. The same goes for a rocket that will violate the terms of the waiver either by flying too close to the waiver (within 1000 feet of the waiver) or by flying through the clouds. Although we may have a waiver in excess of the cloud ceiling, the cloud cover defines our available ceiling and we will not launch into the clouds. FAA regulations expressly forbid flying into the clouds and it is not allowed by the TRA safety code. This is not open for discussion, it is a strict rule.

It is sometimes helpful to ask the rocketeer "Are you sure about that delay" if you think the chosen delay is inappropriate. One of the most common flight failures is an inappropriate delay length. Sometimes the suggestion for a different delay or motor is met with a perplexing look, or some disagreement, however this job is not an "I told you so" after the fact type of assignment, it is corrective action before an issue occurs to keep us all safe. Once you get the hang of it, it is pretty easy. And if you are not sure about what you are RSO-ing, just click on the CB and say "I need help at the RSO table" and someone will be there shortly. Heck, usually there is enough people hanging around that area that help is only an few feet away.