Tripoli Central California's
Independence Day 2015 aka "4th of Juplaya"

This is one of our new yearly TCC Club launches out at Blackrock on the weekend of Independence Day (4th of July).
We also have a commitment from Bay Area Rocketry to attend for the weekend as our vendor this year.

Launch Dates

The FAA has approved our flight operations from surface to 150K (146K AGL) and the range will be open from 6AM - 6PM for all 3 days of the event (the whole weekend). You will however have to bring your own launch equipment or make prior arrangements with others.

Launch Site A (BALLS Site)

(Alternate site available for large projects)

High Altitude Waiver

If you are planning high altitude flights up to 50K AGL, please send your package with all supporting paperwork or your prior approval from Kent Newman to James Dougherty and Richard King .

If you're flying over 50K AGL, you will need approval by the Tripoli Class 3 Committee 90 days prior to flight. Since the FAA was delayed this year in issuing our COA, please get your Class 3 package together ASAP and we will have it submitted (I already have mine approved from last year so if you have questions or need an example, email James Dougherty off chat).

Launch Equipment

The club DOES not plan to bring launch equipment to the event this year; it's strictly bring your own gear (like BALLS). However, if there are people willing to haul equipment, we can arrange for 1-2 pads and you may be able to bargain with people for use of their gear.

Launch Fees

Launch fees: $20 for the entire weekend!

Certifications

Level 1-3 Certifications available by prior arrangement (email James Dougherty to set it up).

Getting to the Black Rock Desert

Blackrock is a dry lake bed about 100 miles North of Reno outside a desolate town known as Gerlach - the only civilization in that area. If this is your first time out to the Blacrock Desert, then arrange to stay at Brunos, use a rental car (and include the damage waiver); this is not an event for small children or pets.

See the AeroPAC launch site for getting there - Omit Step E and travel to Site A coordinates above.


View Larger Map

What to Bring

Going to Blackrock is like going to the moon! That being said there is a strict pack-in/pack-out policy; anything you bring you have to bring back out with you.Here is a typical checklist:

Cell Coverage

Starting this year, we've heard reports of good playa cell-phone coverage. Here is a map for the theoretical coverage out there; recent reports have confirmed this may match reality, but be prepared for no cellphone coverage driving to Gerlach and possibly in the areas near Blackrock or away from the new cell towers.

Contact

If you're on the playa, either call 408-476-7391 or call the Iridium Satellite Phone (Non International, 2-Stage): 1-480-768-2500,881632668865

Iridium Satellite Phone Direct: +8816 3266-8865 (From US: 011-8816-3266-8865 or use the number above).
NOTE: it is best to use the 2-stage number above, depending on your mobile service provider, dialing the Iridium Satellites can cost as much as $6/minute!

Last updated: 06/26/15