MAVERICKS has moved the third annual international civilian space competition and research launch to September 25th, 26th, & 27th 2009, as a result of the new FAA Class 3 rules and regulations. This years 30K sounding rocket competition, including the $10,000 cash purse to the winner of the MAVERICKS DFJ J-prize 30K competition class has been postponed until 2010, to permit new competition rules and qualification requirements, along with range operations and launch control procedures to be developed in accordance with the new FAA regulations and requirements and approved by FAA for an event Class 3 waiver covering all competitors.
While the new FAA regulations have simplified flight operations, regulation, and oversite for model and high power hobby rocketry, the competition rockets and most research projects flown at MAVERICKS each now require individual FAA oversight and approval under Class 3 Advanced High Power classification regulations. These new waiver approvals require significant flight trajectory analysis and dispersion characterization for each classification of rocket, as well as restrictive and increased control of flight safey and launch control operations. MAVERICKS is developing new operating procedures and on-line services for its members that will assist with many aspects of the new waiver submission requirements, and will be conducting only research and education flight operations in 2009 under our new operating procedures in conjunction with the FAA to attain sign-off for full operations in 2010. More detailed information will be made available to members in the members only section of the MAVERICKS website. We are excited about the new services and opportunities ahead of us, but also recognize the work ahead of us to make the step up in compliance with FAA regulations in what and how we fly.
MAVERICKS is an approved experimental research prefecture of The Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc.
Note: Some competition categories are still pending FAA flight approval and sponsorship.
CHILDREN & PETS ARE DISCOURAGED
Because of the nature of activities, children and pets are discouraged. No one can concentrate on a large potentially dangerous project and ensure the safety of their child at the same time. Kids & pets always seem to end up where they shouldn't be or riding bikes and ATV's through restricted and dangerous areas. Leave them at home.
There are two options when staying at Black Rock for any event. Reserving a room at the Bruno Country Club & Luxury Resort in Gerlach, or camping out on the lake bed. We have arranged discount packages with our partner Sierra RV in Reno, if you are interested in renting an RV. See our banner ad for more details.
Bruno's Motel, Gerlach, NV has 40 rooms and has limited availability. The rooms are rated 5 STARS minus-4½, but the showers are the greatest after a day out on the playa! Rates vary from person to person and to this day nobody has been able to figure out exactly how much a room costs. Expect to pay between $40 to $50 a night. Most rooms have two beds however, they've been known to hold up to 12 people each! Reservations are most definitely required and the rooms fill up fast. Don't delay, call today 775-557-2220 -oops! You're probably too late!!
BLM allows us to camp out on the lake bed, or at the Cove near the launch site (watch for scorpions). Campfires are permitted at Black Rock but they must not be made directly on the surface of the playa. The BLM said NOT to make the fires directly on the ground. They should/must be in a container of some kind. BLM has shown and proven the surface of the lake bed is clay and the fire will bake it hard like pottery. This leaves a high spot after the rains and wind. Really! So make all fires in a container and try to keep them off of the ground - some. The standard fire container is the tub from a washing machine supported on bricks.
N40 48.764 W119 08.702
You must use a GPS to find the launch site while on the playa. There are two main entrances onto the playa. The first is few miles out of Gerlach.. The second one is about 11 miles out of town. If you click on the coordinates above, it will take you to a google earth image to reference.
If you have not been to Black Rock or are not familiar with driving in the desert it would be best if you follow someone who has been there before or at least go out in pairs of vehicles. There are several good advisory's written up here and here that should be reviewed prior to heading out for a Mavericks event.