A BIG HOWDY!

Welcome to the Superstition Spacemodeling Society (SSS)! The entire SSS membership,
rocket enthusiasts like yourself, look forward to seeing you at the upcoming monthly
launches, club meetings, and other club activities that occur from time to time. You are
also encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of rocket knowledge that SSS
members possess, and to share your expertise and ideas as well. Since the goal of the SSS
is to maintain rocketry as a safe, fun, and educational hobby we all have something we
can contribute, even a new member such as yourself

A LITTLE CLUB HISTORY

The Superstition Spacemodeling Society was formed in 1989 to bring together the rocket
enthusiasts in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Through the combined efforts of many
members since the formation of SSS, a launch area which meets the approval of state,
local, and federal (FAA) authorities, is currently being used.  The Current SSS site Which we share with AHPRA is located on Chandler HEights Road east of Rainbow Valley Road, southwest of the Estrella Mountains, and allows rockets through O motors, and clustered and complex high power rockets. The waiver for this site is 7500 ft,
with windows to much higher altitudes.

ONE THING YOU MUST DO

The Superstition Spacemodeling Society is currently made up of both National
Association of Rocketry (NAR) and Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) members. SSS
was likely the first rocketry group in the United States to successfully intermingle the low and
high power needs of these two national organizations within one club. And though SSS
has few membership requirements, one stipulation is that you join or already belong to
either the NAR or TRA. To possibly help you in choosing an affiliation if you have not yet
become a member of one of these two organizations, please consider the following brief
overview .

The NAR supports all phases of rocketry , from 1/4A to high power. And it uniquely
sponsors model rocket contests at the local, regional, and national levels. NAR
membership includes a subscription to Sport Rocketry magazine, and a $1,000,000
liability insurance policy is also available.

Tripoli sponsors high power rocket launches throughout the country all year long and
now supports a growing interest in high power competition. Tripoli members receive
High Power Rocketry magazine as a benefit of full membership .

Both organizations test and certify the rocket motors (single-use and reloadable) that
we use, and actively support federal and local legislation to keep all aspects of hobby
rocketry viable, safe and relatively inexpensive.


ONE MORE WORD ABOUT INSURANCE...

SSS launch activities are held the second Saturday of each month and are covered by
insurance purchased through the NAR. However, we recommend that you have
individual insurance either through the NAR (if you're a member), by your home owners
insurance (check with your agent), or by some other aero modeling organization (such as
the AMA).


...AND THE ONLY WORDS ABOUT SMOKING

Please, NO smoking or open flames shall be permitted in the prep area, launch area, or
within twenty-five (25) feet of any rocket motors, motor reloading kits, or pyrotechnic
modules.


SET-UP "ala" MISFIRE ALLEY'
.
SSS operates its launch range with a system known as a "Misfire Alley". Under this
system individuals or small groups of people bring launch equipment that is set up in
"alleys" perpendicular to a crowd control line. Oh, and don't be mislead by the use of the
word "misfire" to describe this launch operation system. The Misfire Alley system is a
very safe, reliable way to run a launch range and is no more "misfire" prone than a
common, multiplexed launch control system. And SSS always sets up the parking and
rocket prep area south of the launch area to avoid looking into the sun all day.


VOLUNTEER!
Through yearly dues, range fees, and good ol' sweat, the membership of the Superstition
Spacemodeling Society have amassed first-rate range equipment (banners, stakes, public
address system, tables and chairs, etc.). Few rocket groups are as well equipped as SSS
is. Yet the set-up, operation, and teardown of this launch range equipment is work.
Work that must be performed every month, so that a growing number of Phoenicians can
fly rockets in a safe, appropriate setting. And it is work that cannot be done by one
person, nor should it be work always performed by the same small group of people. It is
work that must be shared by all SSS members if everyone is going to have an equal
opportunity to fly their rockets! So please, make an honest effort to take part in the set-
up, operation, and teardown of the range.


Have fun! Fly safely! Share your ideas!