This page will be the "Mission Data Center" for AIRFest 30 Flyers, including details about what, where and when things will take place during the weekend. Check back here periodically for updates as AIRFest draws near.
Please, no fireworks or firearms are permitted at AIRFest or any other KLOUDBusters launches. In deference to our landowner and surrounding residents, please leave these items at home.
FAA Waiver for AIRFest
The waiver for the duration of AIRFest will be 50,000' AGL. Extended altitude arrangements above 20,000' up to 50,000' must be made with prior approval from the KLOUDBusters BOD. These approvals must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the launch. The form for KLOUDBusters BoD approvals may be found at High Altitude Application (MS-Word Document).
Sparky Motors at AIRFest
Sparky motors can be launched at AIRFest. KLOUDBusters' policy is "Sparky Motors Launch Only from the Dirt." Regardless of impulse, all sparky motors must be flown from either the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s pads (away pads).
Aluminum Rockets at Argonia
Rockets launched at Argonia may not be constructed of all aluminum or any other metals. Aluminum fin cans or nose cones will be permitted only if required to ensure structural integrity of the rocket during a high-performance launch. Absolutely no aluminum airframes or fins attached directly to motor cases will be permitted under any circumstances. Please contact the KLOUDBusters prefect for further details.
KLOUDBusters Multi-Stage Rules
KLOUDBusters has specific restrictions implemented for multi-stage rockets flown at Argonia. Please refer to the KLOUDBusters Multi Stage Rocket Rules
FAA Class 3 Rockets
A Class 3 rocket is defined as any amateur rocket propelled by a motor (or motors) totaling more than 40,960 Newton-Seconds of thrust (a “P” motor or greater). In addition to the normal submission to the Tripoli C3RC and acquisition of a project specific COA, Class 3 projects must submit the KB Class 3 Project Submission Form (MS-Word Document) at least 30 days in advance of the planned launch for evaluation and approval.
UAS (R/C Aircraft) Rules
Any person who plans to fly any type of remotely controlled aircraft at the Rocket Pasture must contact prefect@kloudbusters.org a minimum of 14 days prior to the launch date. All R/C flyers will be required to sign and submit the RC Aircraft Flyer Agreement prior to beginning operation.
Flyer Registration for AIRFest
All High Power flyers must register for AIRFest. Discount Pre-Registration may be accomplished via the AIRFest web-site. Adult G-and-Under Flyers must register (on-site only) but need not pay launch fees. Youth flyers (under 18 years of age) may launch model rockets; youth model rocket flyer registration is not required.
Range Hours at AIRFest
Range hours will be 9:00am to 6:00pm daily, except Monday September 2th, the range will close at 2:00PM for tear down.
Concessions at AIRFest
There will be an on-site vendor for a wide variety of food items, drinks and bagged ice at AIRFest.
Tripoli Launch Rules
All four days of AIRFest will be conducted under the Tripoli Unified Safety Code. All flyers 18 years of age or older launching rockets must be Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) or National Association of Rocketry (NAR) members. There will be a Model Rocket Range set-up for under 18 model rocket flyers and eligible named-insured sponsor adult flyers. Eligible TRA member flyers may fly Research and/or commercially certified motors. TRA Certification flights are permitted on all days using commercial motors. NAR members seeking certification sign-off at AIRFest are responsible for making their own certification authority arrangements.
All adult flyers must register as flyers for all launch days of AIRFest. The Tripoli Unified Safety Code prohibits access to the motor/rocket preparation areas and the launch site (pad area) by spectators and invited guests who are not members of TRA or NAR. Invited guests may be in the motor/rocket preparation areas but may not be present at the launch site (pad area) unless they are TRA or NAR members. That is, everyone on the range must be a Registered AIRFest flyer and a TRA or NAR member during AIRFest - no children or non-member guests may go out to the High Power range area to recover rockets until the LCO announces the High Power range to be Clear and Safe.
Youth participants in the Tripoli Mentoring Program (TMP) may access the high-power range within the stipulations of that program. Youth 12-17 and their Adult Mentor should refer to the TRA TMP program guidelines here: TMP Overview
All restrictions codified in the Tripoli Unified Safety Code will be enforced at AIRFest. In order to accomplish this, all adult flyers must display their AIRFest Flyer's Badge. Non-member, non-registered people will not be permitted access to the flight line (i.e. east of the orange safety fence and outside the Model Rocket Area) during launch operations.
IDENTIFICATION
Without exception, AIRFest high-power Flyers must bring the following pieces of identification:
Positive Photo ID
Active TRA or NAR membership card --OR--
Other Certification level documentation if different from the membership card.
These items are required to verify each flyer's identity when picking-up their Flyers Packet and Badge. Certification level will be indicated on the Flyer's Badge and motor limits will be strictly adhered to during AIRFest.
Argonia Rocket Pasture
KLOUDBusters have enjoyed the use of one of the premier Launch Sites in the Heartland of the U.S.A. for over 20 years. This site has hosted Tripoli's national launch LDRS seven times, which is the most of any launch site in the world. The surrounding area is primarily crop land with a few areas of cattle grazing range. The countryside is quite wide open for several miles with mostly unimproved roads cutting the landscape into one square mile chunks. Most all of the surrounding crop land is usually used to grow winter wheat (Sumner County is the #1 wheat producing county in the USA. Occasionally, the farmers rotate the wheat crop with soybeans or milo (feed grain). All this adds up to a great place to launch and recover rockets.
The KLOUDBusters Launch Control System (LCS) has the capability to service a large number of pads from its main Command box. There will be banks of 8 pads set at safe distances for the various motor classes. Additionally, remote launch services will be available for extreme projects at the required safe distances.
There will be all popular sizes of launch rods and rails available at each pad bank. Projects with special equipment needs should contact The Prefect to determine availability.
FLYERS BRIEFINGS
Flyers Briefings will be announced when and if needed.