Michigan Team-1 - Three Oaks Info

Three Oaks
The following procedures and policies are intended to help you
enjoy the launch and maintain a safe environment

General Info

So, you look forward to spending three days in a corn field, and you don't care if it's ankle deep in mud or knee deep in snow? You must be a rocketeer! And we'd like you to spend a weekend with us in Three Oaks, Michigan. We start setting up the range on Friday at 10:00 A.M., and the flying starts as soon as the range is ready. Then we fly some more all day on Saturday and Sunday.

Location: Three Oaks is located in the southwest corner of Michigan about 5 miles east of New Buffalo which is at the juncture of I94 and US12. The site itself is east of Three Oaks off of Avery road. Check the map for details.

The big picture - A map of Michigan

Getting Closer - The Southwest Corner of Michigan

You're there! - Three Oaks and our field

Description: In the spring before crops are in and in the fall after the crops are out, the Michigan Three Oaks Launch is hosted by Michigan Team-1. The flight area is in a corn field approximately a mile square with additional recovery area to the east. The corn and beans are always cleared prior to the launch activities. As in the past, it is recommended that you bring MUD GEAR and clothes to protect you against rain and cold as well as snow! Weather in the area is quite unpredictable, since it is located only a few miles east of Lake Michigan and is subject to "lake effects".

Weather: Local weather for Three Oaks.
Check out the Windcast too.

Accommodations: The Holiday Inn Express in New Buffalo has agreed to provide rooms at reduced rates, their number is 269-469-3436. Be sure to specify that you are reserving a room as part of the Team-1 block.

Site Info

Sanctioning: This is a MICHIGAN TEAM-1 sponsored launch with Tripoli insurance in effect. There is no alcohol allowed on site. You will be asked to leave if you are drinking.

Keep it clean! There are many trash cans around. Please help keep the area clean (even if the trash you pick up is not your own). Please help by picking up any igniter wires around the pads.

Waiver: 12,000 ft. AGL, with windows to 16,000 ft. AGL from 12:00pm-4:00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Launch Fee: Team-1 Members:

$10 per day

$5 per day for low power

Kids fly free

Non-members:

$15 for one day

$25 for two days

$35 for three days

$5 per day for low power

Kids fly free

Vendors: Typically, Magnum, PML, Robby's Rockets, Red Arrow Hobbies, Top-Flite Recovery, Peter Alway, Al's Hobby Shop, and Chili-Man. Occasionally, Commonwealth, Rocket R&D, and The Boy Scouts are present as well.

Upon Arrival

At the entrance to the field, there will be a stop sign and a curb-side type mail box. The mail box will contain flyers with the latest information on the launch. Please grab a flyer and then proceed to the parking area.

Once you park, proceed to the REGISTRATION table to check in and pay the launch fee (see above). Each flier must register and sign the liability release form. Minors flying with an adult are free to fly rockets below a "G" motor limit. There is no fee for A through D flights.

Volunteer! We need volunteers to work at the launch. See the sign up board at the registration table to get a time slot/assignment. You will have First in line, No Waiting priority at the launch lines for volunteering.

Launch Policies

Each flight must be accompanied by a FLIGHT CARD. These cards can be picked up at the registration table. If you are certifying, make sure the appropriate box on the card is checked.

Igniters are to be installed at the IGNITER PREP TABLE ONLY.

Altimeters are to be armed at the launch pad or the Igniter prep table. Do not stand in the launch line with an armed altimeter and unshunted (i.e. ready to fire) ejection charges or igniters. THIS IS NOT SAFE!

Membership in Tripoli or NAR is not required for flying motors smaller than H impulse. Adult fliers must be Tripoli or NAR members, and have the appropriate certification level for flights of H or greater impulse. If you need to sign up to be a Tripoli or TEAM-1 member, the forms are available at the registration table.

Large, Complex, K-motor (and above) or Clustered motor powered rockets must be flown from the away cell.

Launch Procedures

Have your rocket ready, with the exceptions of installing your igniter and arming your electronics.
Fill out a flight card. If this is a certification flight, make sure the correct box is checked on your launch card, and tell the LCO so that he can get the attention of a Prefect to watch the flight. DO NOT assume the LCO will see the box checked, tell him.

Proceed to the end of the registration table to the RSO. (S)he will check your rocket and must approve the rocket prior to flight.

Take your place in the launch line.

As the eight rocketeers at the Igniter Prep table move to the launch pads, the next group of eight people in line should move to the Igniter Prep table to install your igniters. Electronics should not be armed until the rocket is on the pad. If the electronics must be armed prior to placing the rocket on the pad, make sure that no one is in a position where they might be injured should an igniter, electric match or flashbulb accidently fire.

When the pads are clear, the Pad Manager may assign you a specific pad. If not, choose any available pad.

At the pads, change the launch rod if necessary. Under the pad there is a "T" handle that binds the rod into the pad. Loosen this handle, remove the rod, (PLEASE stick the rod into the ground next to the pad, DO NOT lay it on the ground) and install the size you need. Clean the rod with sandpaper if necessary. If your launch lugs are still too tight you may try a different rod. Do not CRAM your rocket down a tight launch rod and do not fly a rocket from a launch rod that is too small!

Near each battery there is an ORANGE PLASTIC "Prescription type" bottle that has a PUSH BUTTON on it. After you have set up your rocket and hooked up the igniter leads, press this button to check CONTINUITY. You should hear it beep. If there is no continuity, please check your igniter leads, and re-test. There are small wire brushes near the pads to clean the igniter clips if they are dirty (it is handy to take some sandpaper out to the pads to clean the clips or rods).

If you have a problem, get the attention of the PAD MANAGER or LCO (or ask your fellow rocketeer for help).

As you return from the pad, you must leave your flight card at the LCO (Launch Control Officer) table. There is a board there with clothes pins on it. Clip your card to the appropriate pad number. If you do not leave your flight card at the LCO table, your rocket will not be launched.

Again, if this is a certification flight, tell the LCO so that he can get the attention of a Prefect to watch the flight.

If your rocket motor fails to ignite, you may be asked to remove the rocket from the pad and install a new igniter. Take your launch card from the LCO table if you remove your rocket from the pads.

Don't be shy!

If you need help in any way, ask a Team-1 member. We will assist in any way we can. If you are not sure how to assemble a reloadable motor, or don't know if a motor is safe for your rocket ASK! We are here to help. Assistance can usually be found around the registration table.

If you need more info, contact our Secretary or our Prefect.

General Info
So, you look forward to spending three days in a corn field, and you don't care if it's ankle deep in mud or knee deep in snow? You must be a rocketeer! And we'd like you to spend a weekend with us in Three Oaks, Michigan. We start setting up the range on Friday at 10:00 A.M., and the flying starts as soon as the range is ready. Then we fly some more all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Location:	Three Oaks is located in the southwest corner of Michigan about 5 miles east of New Buffalo which is at the juncture of I94 and US12. The site itself is east of Three Oaks off of Avery road. Check the map for details. The big picture - A map of Michigan Getting Closer - The Southwest Corner of Michigan You're there! - Three Oaks and our field
Description:	In the spring before crops are in and in the fall after the crops are out, the Michigan Three Oaks Launch is hosted by Michigan Team-1. The flight area is in a corn field approximately a mile square with additional recovery area to the east. The corn and beans are always cleared prior to the launch activities. As in the past, it is recommended that you bring MUD GEAR and clothes to protect you against rain and cold as well as snow! Weather in the area is quite unpredictable, since it is located only a few miles east of Lake Michigan and is subject to "lake effects".
Weather:	Local weather for Three Oaks. Check out the Windcast too.
Accommodations:	The Holiday Inn Express in New Buffalo has agreed to provide rooms at reduced rates, their number is 269-469-3436. Be sure to specify that you are reserving a room as part of the Team-1 block.

Site Info
Sanctioning:	This is a MICHIGAN TEAM-1 sponsored launch with Tripoli insurance in effect. There is no alcohol allowed on site. You will be asked to leave if you are drinking.
Keep it clean!	There are many trash cans around. Please help keep the area clean (even if the trash you pick up is not your own). Please help by picking up any igniter wires around the pads.
Waiver:	12,000 ft. AGL, with windows to 16,000 ft. AGL from 12:00pm-4:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
Launch Fee:	Team-1 Members: $10 per day $5 per day for low power Kids fly free Non-members: $15 for one day $25 for two days $35 for three days $5 per day for low power Kids fly free
Vendors:	Typically, Magnum, PML, Robby's Rockets, Red Arrow Hobbies, Top-Flite Recovery, Peter Alway, Al's Hobby Shop, and Chili-Man. Occasionally, Commonwealth, Rocket R&D, and The Boy Scouts are present as well.

Upon Arrival
At the entrance to the field, there will be a stop sign and a curb-side type mail box. The mail box will contain flyers with the latest information on the launch. Please grab a flyer and then proceed to the parking area. Once you park, proceed to the REGISTRATION table to check in and pay the launch fee (see above). Each flier must register and sign the liability release form. Minors flying with an adult are free to fly rockets below a "G" motor limit. There is no fee for A through D flights. Volunteer! We need volunteers to work at the launch. See the sign up board at the registration table to get a time slot/assignment. You will have First in line, No Waiting priority at the launch lines for volunteering.
Launch Policies
Each flight must be accompanied by a FLIGHT CARD. These cards can be picked up at the registration table. If you are certifying, make sure the appropriate box on the card is checked. Igniters are to be installed at the IGNITER PREP TABLE ONLY. Altimeters are to be armed at the launch pad or the Igniter prep table. Do not stand in the launch line with an armed altimeter and unshunted (i.e. ready to fire) ejection charges or igniters. THIS IS NOT SAFE! Membership in Tripoli or NAR is not required for flying motors smaller than H impulse. Adult fliers must be Tripoli or NAR members, and have the appropriate certification level for flights of H or greater impulse. If you need to sign up to be a Tripoli or TEAM-1 member, the forms are available at the registration table. Large, Complex, K-motor (and above) or Clustered motor powered rockets must be flown from the away cell.
Launch Procedures
Have your rocket ready, with the exceptions of installing your igniter and arming your electronics. Fill out a flight card. If this is a certification flight, make sure the correct box is checked on your launch card, and tell the LCO so that he can get the attention of a Prefect to watch the flight. DO NOT assume the LCO will see the box checked, tell him. Proceed to the end of the registration table to the RSO. (S)he will check your rocket and must approve the rocket prior to flight. Take your place in the launch line. As the eight rocketeers at the Igniter Prep table move to the launch pads, the next group of eight people in line should move to the Igniter Prep table to install your igniters. Electronics should not be armed until the rocket is on the pad. If the electronics must be armed prior to placing the rocket on the pad, make sure that no one is in a position where they might be injured should an igniter, electric match or flashbulb accidently fire. When the pads are clear, the Pad Manager may assign you a specific pad. If not, choose any available pad. At the pads, change the launch rod if necessary. Under the pad there is a "T" handle that binds the rod into the pad. Loosen this handle, remove the rod, (PLEASE stick the rod into the ground next to the pad, DO NOT lay it on the ground) and install the size you need. Clean the rod with sandpaper if necessary. If your launch lugs are still too tight you may try a different rod. Do not CRAM your rocket down a tight launch rod and do not fly a rocket from a launch rod that is too small! Near each battery there is an ORANGE PLASTIC "Prescription type" bottle that has a PUSH BUTTON on it. After you have set up your rocket and hooked up the igniter leads, press this button to check CONTINUITY. You should hear it beep. If there is no continuity, please check your igniter leads, and re-test. There are small wire brushes near the pads to clean the igniter clips if they are dirty (it is handy to take some sandpaper out to the pads to clean the clips or rods). If you have a problem, get the attention of the PAD MANAGER or LCO (or ask your fellow rocketeer for help). As you return from the pad, you must leave your flight card at the LCO (Launch Control Officer) table. There is a board there with clothes pins on it. Clip your card to the appropriate pad number. If you do not leave your flight card at the LCO table, your rocket will not be launched. Again, if this is a certification flight, tell the LCO so that he can get the attention of a Prefect to watch the flight. If your rocket motor fails to ignite, you may be asked to remove the rocket from the pad and install a new igniter. Take your launch card from the LCO table if you remove your rocket from the pads.
Don't be shy!
If you need help in any way, ask a Team-1 member. We will assist in any way we can. If you are not sure how to assemble a reloadable motor, or don't know if a motor is safe for your rocket ASK! We are here to help. Assistance can usually be found around the registration table.