Tripoli South Carolina Launch Site Rules

The Tripoli Safety Code is in effect for al Tripoli South Carolina Launches. The following site rules are in addition to the Tripoli Safety Code. In the event that any portion of the following safety rules is in conflict with the Tripoli Safety Code or NFPA 1127, that portion shall be considered null and void.

The intent of these rules is to insure and protect the safety of the non-participants, ie. The surrounding land owners, road traffic, etc., the spectators and the participants at this site. Also to maintain good relations with the property owner(s) so that this site will continue to be available for future launch activities.

Site Rules

The Orangeburg launch site is a fiberglass free field, which means that no fiberglass recovery wadding may be used. Only environmentally safe, biodegradable recovery wadding may be used at this site.
Please check with the RSO before using any recovery wadding other than fire proof cellulose!

All launch rods will be angled away from the spectators and parking areas a minimum of two degrees. Please listen to the Pad Managers. Safety is first! How far you may have to walk is definitely second.

All rocket motor ignitors will be installed within a designated prepping area. The rocket will be pointed away from all populated areas when the ignitors are installed. All igniter leads will be shorted before installation into a motor and remain shorted until the rocket has been placed on the launch pad and the pad is locked in a vertical position.

The decisions of the launch officers (ie. RSO, LCO, Launch Director, and Launch Coordinator) will be final.

Tripoli South Carolina has been granted a 10,000’ MSL (above mean sea level) CFA (controlled firing area) by the FAA. Our MAXIMUM FLIGHT ALTITUDE is 9,000’ AGL (above ground level). The altitude between 9,000’ AGL and 10,000’ MSL, which is approximately 850’, serves as a safety buffer. Our MAXIMUM FLIGHT ALTITUDE is strictly enforced and any flight that is likely to exceed it will be barred. In consideration of the safety of everyone, we request that all flights which are expected to exceed 6,000’ be equipped with a redundantly actuated recovery system. We strongly recommend that these be multi-stage recovery systems (ie. drogue/streamer and main) which are electronically actuated (ie. via altimeter, timer, RC control, or any combination of the above).

Multi-stage and "complex rockets" are required to have a Barroman analysis made of the project for the RSO to review. If you intend to impress the crowd, be prepared to impress the RSO first! (We will assist with the Barroman analysis if you need help.)

ALL multi-stage flights are considered to be "complex rockets" and involve substantial risk. Thrust to weight calculations must demonstrate a minimum first stage ratio of 5.5 to 1 and a minimum second stage ratio of 3 to 1. These ratios are especially important with long burn or regressive burn motors.

"Complex Rockets" shall be defined as: first flight of any scratch built rockets, flights of any rocket with a launch weight over 25 pounds which uses clustered motors.

An RC transmitter impound will be strictly enforced at the site. All transmitters will be impounded at the RSO table. If you plan to use any RC equipment for any of your flights, it is
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

to turn in your transmitter. Transmitters will be returned to the owner when they pass through the RSO process, and may only be tested in the igniter prep area. Failure to impound your transmitter will result in your flight being rejected by the RSO. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

The following are recommended maximum rocket weight limits for launch rod diameters:

Rod Diameter	Maximum rocket weight in pounds
¼" 3/8" ½" 5/8" ¾" 7/8" 1"	5 10 15 30 40 55 75

All rockets with launch weights over 75 pounds will have the launch devices inspected and approved by an RSO on a case by case basis.

The Sod Farm requires that we stay off of their sod as much as possible. In light of this we will not allow any of our members motor vehicles to be parked on the grass.


All members are responsible for help keeping the area clean and free of trash.

Have fun and protect our hobby by always being considerate of your fellow flyers and by making safety your highest goal.