Perth Advanced Rocketry Club Range Operations Manual

Site Preparation

1. Access Permission

   Before any activities can be begun, written permission for the use of the selected site must be obtained from the owner or manager of the site. A suitable form is given in appendix A.

2. Ceiling

   Every site has a ceiling; this ceiling is the minimum of:
   • 300'AGL or the issued waiver
   • Four (4) times the minimum dimension of the site
   • The current cloud-base

3. Altitude Waiver

   If flight operations are going to exceed 300'AGL, then an appropriate waiver or permission must be sought from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

   Sites intended for regular or frequent use may be issued (on application to C.A.S.A.) with permanent permission for a given ceiling. If that altitude is intended to be exceeded, or the site is intended for occasional or infrequent use, then a specific waiver must be obtained. A suitable form for requesting a specific waiver is given in appendix B.

   Specific waivers have a lead-time of 14 days.

4. Fire Precautions

   No flight operations are permitted during a posted Total Fire Ban, or during a period of posted Very High or Extreme Fire Danger in the site's region.

   In areas where grass fires are a possibility, a non-flammable tarpaulin or blanket should be placed under each pad, and extend at least 1/10 of the minimum safe distance around the pad.

5. Range Setup

   The boundaries of the range should be clearly marked, and, if possible, the individual areas of the range also marked.

   1. Range Head / Launch Pad Placement

      The range head and launch pad area should be placed as near as is practical to the centre of the range area. If there is a prevailing breeze, this area maybe offset up to 1/4 of the site dimensions upwind of centre, so as to provide more recovery area. The only personnel permitted in this area are:
      RSO, LCO and Flyers. The only exception is when a person is given specific and explicit permission by the RSO.
      1. Pad Separation

         Launch pad are to be separated by the minimum safe distance for the rockets being launched from them, as given in the appropriate safety code. The exception to this is for launch racks, where a number of rockets are prepared simultaneously and launched sequentially. Such racks should be treated as one pad for safety purposes.

      2. Pad Specifications

         All launch pads are rated for models of certain sizes.

         A launch pad must:

         1. Be capable of supporting the largest model it is rated for.

         2. Have a rigid guide for the model to travel along prior to gaining flight speed. A guide must be designed such that it prevents the model from leaving the guide until it has travelled the entire length of the guide.

         3. Either be unable to be tilted past 30 degrees from vertical, or be clearly marked as to when that angle is exceeded.

         4. Have a means of protecting the ground from the exhaust of the rocket.

         5. Be stable when loaded.

   2. Range Control Area

      The Range Control area should be immediately North of the pad area, and is where the launch controllers are placed. This is also the area that the LCO operates from.

      All controllers must be clearly linked to the appropriate pad.

      Non-flying personnel may not enter this area without the permission of the LCO or RSO.

   3. Preparation/Loading Area

      The Preparation/Loading Area is North of the Range Control Area. This area is open to the public, and is where models are prepared for flight. SCO inspections are also carried out in this area.

   4. Recovery Area

      The Recovery area is all areas not otherwise specified. Most (and ideally all) recoveries, however, will take place in the area South of the Range Head. This area is also termed "Down-range".

   5. Tracking Stations

      If measured tracking is taking place (ie theodolite tracking for altitude determination) then the tracking stations should be placed as far North on the range as possible, and placed in opposite corners of the range to the East and West.

   6. Spectators

      The spectator area is to the North of the Preparation Area, and may include a parking area.

Site Operations

It is acceptable practice for RSO, SCO, FO and LCO duties to be combined, and for the Flyer to assume the duties of tracking and recovery. Thus the minimum personnel for a range is two.

1. Acceptable Conditions

   In addition to the conditions addressed in this section, a "safety first" attitude must be observed. Any unexpected conditions that could affect spectators, other air users, or the area surrounding the range should also be considered.

   1. Wind Speed

      During launching, the wind-speed must not exceed the maximum specified in the P.A.R.C. safety code applicable to the rocket being launched.

      If possible, a simulation should be run to ensure that the rocket being launched will recover in the recovery area.

   2. Cloud Cover/Ceiling

      Cloud cover must not exceed 1/8 at any point in the flightpath.

      Flights into airspace containing greater than 1/8 cloud cover are prohibited, as are any flights that will penetrate a cloud-mass. To ensure this, the ceiling will be the lower of the posted waived altitude or the cloudbase, less 10% of the altitude of the cloudbase.

   3. Visibility Range

      A visibility of 6NM at all levels in the site's airspace, up to its operating ceiling is required.

   4. Recovery Area Obstructions

      If the Recovery Area contains vehicles, animals or people not part of a Recovery Team, the range will be closed until the obstruction is cleared, or has left the area.

2. Pre-launch Rocket Safety Check

   This check is performed in the Preparation Area by the SCO. The SCO may request a ruling from the RSO, if they are unsure of any point. In any event, the RSO's rulings are final.

   Only current financial members may present models for checking an launch. A current financial member may present a third party's model, but assumes full responsibility for that launch. This does not confer permission for a third party to undertake the actual launch. See also 4.3.3

   1. Proof of Current Membership

      The first time a Flyer presents a model to be checked at any given session, they must present their membership card, or other proof, showing a valid financial membership.

   2. Structural Integrity

      The airframe and motor-mount will be constructed so as to be able to withstand the stresses of launch and recovery with the fitted motor and recovery device.

   3. Approved Motor

      The motor being used must be:
      • An approved model rocket motor
      • Provide a LWR greater than 4
      • Have a delay that will ensure safe recovery

   4. Stability

      The model will exhibit at least 2 calibers of static stability, or be of an otherwise proven design.

      Design test flights may be carried out if the range has been opened for the express purpose of design testing.

      Formal proof of design stability (using the Barrowman centre of pressure calculations) is an acceptable substitute for previous flights.

   5. Recovery

      The fitted recovery device must be properly attached and packed, and be designed to recover the model safely. Any protective wadding must be of an approved type.

   6. Estimated Apogee

      The estimated apogee must not exceed the site ceiling.

   7. Special Types and Requirements

      Special types of model may require additional considerations. These include R/C gliders, Boost-Gliders, staged models, clustered engines, and specialized payloads. Examples of these are given in the SCO Checklist (appendix F).

3. Range Operation

   This section is summarized in appendix E, the LCO checklist. Any model presented for launch must have passed the pre-flight check.

   1. Launch Pad Loading

      During the loading process, the Flyer, who must be present during the loading, must retain the safety interlock for the pad being loaded.

      Only personnel required to load the model onto the launch pad are permitted to approach the pad during the loading operation, unless specifically approved by the RSO. Approval must be given in each and every instance.

      The rocket must be loaded onto a pad that has specifications that at least match the model's requirements.

      After loading onto the pad, any other pre-flight preparations are made (eg removing protective hoods from lenses, arming recovery systems).

      After all other pre-flight preparations are made, the model's ignitors are connected to the launch controller.

      After the ignitors are connected, all personnel must leave the pad area.

   2. Pre-launch Checks

      The safety interlock is inserted into the launch controller, continuity is confirmed through the ignitors, and the pad is announced as armed. If continuity is not established, then the safety interlock is removed, and the loading personnel may be permitted to approach the pad to correct the problem at the LCO's discretion. The LCO may choose to abort the launch and require the model to be removed for diagnosis and correction.
      1. Tower Notification Not Required The LCO checks the surrounding airspace and the recovery area, and, if clear, gives the go-ahead for launch.

      2. Tower Notification Required The LCO contacts the appropriate ATC, as advised by CASA, and informs them of the launch location, the waiver reference, and intended altitude. If a series of launches will be following, an estimated end time must also be provided. If the ATC gives clearance, then the LCO proceeds as per 4.3.2.1. If clearance is not given, then either a hold is placed until it is given, or the launch is aborted.

   3. Countdown and Launch

      The Flyer must be a current financial member of the club. With specific and explicit permission from the RSO, a flyer may designate a third party to perform the actual act of launching. Under such circumstances the third party must be under direct supervision by the flyer at all times.

      The LCO, or by the LCO's choice the Flyer, will issue a five second count down, as follows: "Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Start"

      During the Countdown, the LCO will maintain a lookout for hazards, and may call a hold at any point.

      At the call of "Start", the launch controller will be activated by the flyer.

      If the engine(s) fail to ignite after two (2) seconds, the flyer may request a re-count, or safe the controller.

      After safing, the LCO may permit (after no less than 60 seconds) the flyer to attempt to correct the ignition problem at the pad, or order an abort.

   4. Tracking

      The model will be tracked, as far as is practical, through its flight, to the point of landing, by at least one person.

      Tracking may be interrupted by the LOS being blocked, or by the model traveling too fast to track, or by being too small to track at its apogee. If at all possible, the track should be regained as soon as is possible.

      Failure to successfully track may result in the model being unrecoverable.

   5. Recovery

      Once the model lands, is position should be noted by the recovery team, who then approach the model, safe any payload, and return it to the flyer.

   6. Holds and Aborts

      Holds may be called by any person spotting a hazard during a countdown. After a hold, the LCO determines the nature of the hazard, and either restarts the countdown (from the start) calls an abort, or requests clarification from the RSO.

      Aborts may be called by the RSO, the LCO or the flyer. After an abort the controller is safed, and the model removed from the pad. Once the cause of the abort has been resolved, the model may be re-presented for launch.

Site Closure

1. Tower Notification

   If flights have required local Air Traffic Controllers to be notified, they are to be informed that the ranged is now closed and will not be re-opened that day.

2. Equipment Recovery

   All ground equipment is to be safed, checked for damage by the RSO, and packed. If equipment belongs to specific persons, it is to be returned, and club equipment passed to the responsible officer.

3. Waste Disposal

   After all equipment has been packed, the site is to be searched for launch debris (eg used wadding, ignitors, etc) and other rubbish.

   Particular attention is to be paid to the pad areas, where there may be numerous small items remaining.

4. Security

   After all other personnel have left, the site is to be secured by the RSO and the LCO, jointly. The level of security required is to be determined by the site owners/managers.