Big EARS 2010
Once again EARS are playing host to the first big launch event of the year. Big EARS will take place at our New Farm launch site at Elsworth near Cambridge. The dates are for the weekend, Saturday 1st May, Sunday 2nd May and Monday 3rd May. This year we are back on the usual Bank Holiday weekend. This year's event will be a three day format. .
PROVISIONAL EVENT INFORMATION
SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION! |
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For more information about any part of the event please contact info at ears.org.uk.
Event Sponsors
EARS are looking for Sponsors of Big EARS 2010. If you are interested in sponsoring Big EARS please do get in touch.
Costs
The Big EARS event fees are :-.
| Day Rate | Weekend Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Non member flying fee |
£10
|
£20
|
| Member flying fee |
£5
|
£10
|
| Non member Model flying fee |
£4
|
£8
|
| Member Model flying fee |
£3
|
£6
|
| Spectator fee |
£1
|
n/a
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| Camping |
n/a
|
£5
|
| Tables |
n/a
|
£5
|
Before you Fly
At EARS we have a short list of Do's & Don't's to help our launches run as smoothly as possible. If you have never attended an EARS launch before then please read the list, so you know what to expect. We also require all flyers to sign a disclaimer before they are allowed to fly, you can download it here. If you wish to fill out flight cards before you come to the event, you can download the EARS flight card here.
Please also check out the updated information below......
NOTAM
A 10,000 foot (3048m) NOTAM will be applied for with the CAA for the whole event.
Certification Flights
EARS regret that it is only possible to fly rockets under UKRA (and BMFA) insurance at EARS events. This is because EARS events are run under the UKRA Safety Code. For logistical reasons it is not possible to fly under, for example, Tripoli Insurance at an EARS event. This would mean that a certification flight, with UKRA's agreement, would have to follow the UKRA L3 Certification procedure. Please see the UKRA web site for details
It is, however, possible to fly up to your Tripoli, or other UKRA recognised, Certification Level by taking out Temporary UKRA Membership at a launch event.
High Flights and Large Motors
Dual Deployment
Exceeding 6,000 feet (1828m). EARS require the use of dual deployment for any flights (any motor class) predicted to exceed 6,000 feet (1828m). This is to limit drift from the site.
High Flights
Exceeding 8,000 feet (2438m). If you intend flying above 8,000 feet (2438m). We request that you contact EARS with details of the rocket and the planned flight. This is so that we can assess the risk of the flight to the surrounding villages.
Large Motors
If you are planning on flying an L or M power rocket or attempting a Level 3 certification flight we request that you contact EARS with details of the flight. This is, again, to assess the risk to the nearby villages but also to ensure that we have a Level 3 RSO at the event.
The general principle will be to limit L or M powered flights to the "low and slow" variety. For the moment this means NO L or M flights predicted to go above 5,000 feet (1524m)**.
Required Information
The details required for flights above 8,000 feet, L or M power or L3 Certification Flights are :-
- Weight, Length and Diameter of the rocket.
- Proposed motor and predicted Altitude (and details of simulation package used).
- Recovery system.
- For level 3 certification flights we will require the details of the UKRA S&T mentor.
We require that you give us 30 days notice.
Weather Conditions
A decision on whether or not the weather conditions are acceptable will be made by the EARS committee on the day of the event. It is worth noting that the prevailing wind for the EARS site is toward Elsworth Village and as a result it may be necessary to limit higher altitude flights if the wind is in that direction.
The usual considerations of rocket suitability, wind speed, direction and visibility will be taken into account on the day of the event by the RSO and may mean that the flight cannot proceed.
Experimental Flights
Anyone wishing to fly a rocket that falls under the experimental section of the UKRA Safety Code, MUST bring proof that UKRA S&T have approved the rocket for launch. We would also ask you to supply to us as soon as possible, preferably no later than 30 days before the launch, full details of the rocket and it's planned flight.
Whoever is RSOing the experimental flight has final and unequivocal say on whether the flight takes place or not, regardless of UKRA S&T approval.
**Note: EARS is investigating the use of dispersal analysis software which may allow higher flights in future.
