Tripoli Prefect Report Q1 2006
LDRS 25 will be held in Amarillo, TX on June 29th - July 4th Reservations and launch fees can be arranged in advance at http://www.ldrs25.org/ Don’t forget about the banquet dinner on Saturday night. Thursday through Sunday is commercial motor launch days and Monday and Tuesday are research launch days.
Board of Director (BOD) election ballots must be received by June 24th. You should have received your ballot with your last Tripoli Report. If you still don’t have a ballot, contact Guy Soucy at sous4@aol.com
This is your chance to have your voice heard by the BOD. There are three available positions for the BOD. All the candidates’ resumes are available at: http://www.tripoli.org/BODResumes.pdf
Pat Gordzelik our current Vice President has openly endorsed Bob Schoner our current secretary, and I agree with Pat, Bob is a real work horse. Also, I have the pleasure of knowing Pat not only as VP but also on a personal level. His work ethics can not be questioned; he dedicates himself to everything he does. I know Pat wanted to step down this year, so we may only be able to get him for one more year. I think we should take advantage of his good nature while we can.
Turn out for elections have typically been low in the past elections. With many important issues on the table, BATFE lawsuit, insurance, new research safety rules, new magazine, etc… I urge you to help us select the best candidates to lead our club.
Please make time to review the resumes, talk to other members and send in your votes.
BATFE Lawsuit, I have not been a big supporter of the lawsuit. I felt it was too expensive and we would not be effective in getting the BATFE to change their position on regulation of our hobby. I based my view point on my past experience with the NAR and their lawsuit(s) against the BATFE.
I WAS WRONG. Our lawsuit has been very successful in getting our voices heard in court and forcing the BATFE to justify their position on regulation of our hobby. On February 10th 2006 the court ruled in our favor on the issue of the BATFE improperly classify APCP as an explosive. The court has put the burden of proof that APCP deflagrates (explodes) back on the BATFE. Full details can be found at: http://www.tripoli.org/documents/batfe/ATFmessage20060210.shtml
Take time to review the findings and also note one of our legal council recently underwent surgery. Please join me in wishing Joe Egan a speedy recovery.
You may have already heard Tripoli has selected a new magazine. Bob Utley and Neil McGilvray of Liberty Launch Systems were awarded the contract and are current in production of “Rockets Magazine” I was fortunate enough to meet both Bob and Neil when they came out to cover the ARG launch. I found them to be very personable and was impressed with how they like to mix with the crowd while gathering information for their magazine. In talking with Bob and Neil I found out we had similar feelings about the hobby. They understand that high power rocketry is a hobby and it is all about getting the most enjoyment you can out of the hobby.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading the first two issues of the magazine. I like the format of the magazine, especially the launch reports. They are also releasing DVD’s of the launches they cover in the magazine. You can review the magazine and videos currently available at: http://www.libertylaunchsystems.com/
Bob Heninger
Prefect Tripoli Phoenix #47