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Date: 4/17/2026
Subject: October 19th 2026 - Launch Announcement
From: Tripoli Minnesota


TRIPOLI MINNESOTA - PREFECTURE #45 
The April 18th Launch is postponed due to weather. The launch will now occur on April 19th.
April 19th:
Our First Rocket Launch of the Year
  
All launches will be held at in North Branch, MN - Central Turf Farms
  • Setup starts at 9:00 am
  • Flying starts at 10:00 am
  • HARD Stop at 5:00 pm
Please stay for tear-down or partial tear-down from the day launch.
Waiver to 20,000ft weather dependent

Volunteer at the Launch!

Please support the prefecture operations at the launch by helping out with any of the many things that need to be done every launch.
There are spots available for:
  • Range Safety Officer (RSO)
  • Launch Control Officer (LCO)
  • Porta Potty tow vehicle (both to and from)
  • Club Trailer towing
National Membership
Please keep in mind that to launch high power rockets or any rocket if you are 18 or over with Tripoli MN you need to be current on a national rocket club membership and have the appropriate certification.  Please bring your national membership card. We will check the national card and the data we have in the club system before the launch. You then will receive the Tripoli MN card and a launch day specific wrist band. We used to issue launch day wristbands and are resuming this practice, since we have a lot of spectators wrist bands will make it easier to assure only certified flyers are on the range.
 
On-Field Provisions: 
Food - Brian's Brats
Rest Room - We will have a handicap accessible porta potty at the field.
Trash - There are usually two trash cans located near the LCO table.  Please use them.
If you are new to the club and not aware, these are a few points of etiquette:
  • This is a working farm.  Please be respectful of the land, roads, and fields.  The turf is a cash crop.  Let's treat it as such.
  • All vehicles should drive slowly on the roads.  The road is dirt & clay, so if its wet, it DOES get sloppy.
  • When you get to the field, please back into a spot.  We want to keep engine fluid drips as close to the road as possible (farm's request).
  • If there are freshly planted fields that your rocket lands in, only send one person to retrieve it.  Less tracks = less crop damage.
  • The fields are surrounded by drainage ditches.  They are deep!  If you need to cross one, find the spot where the sprinkler crosses.
Rocketry Rules Refresher:  
  • Always make sure pyro charges are disabled until at the pad.
  • With all mid power and high power rockets: DO NOT install igniters until at the pad.  Low power rockets are the ONLY exception.
  • Keep the rocket pointed in a safe direction on your way to the RSO table, and towards the pads once at the table.
  • Arm all pyro controlling electronics at the pad, prior to installing the igniter.  
  • Never, ever, ever... catch a rocket.
  • Do not retrieve another person's rocket without consent or knowledge of the flyer.
    •  Ejection charges may still be intact, or electronics may need attention prior to moving the rocket.
    •  It makes it very hard to find a rocket that has already been retrieved.  Note the location and call it in.
  • Only HP certified fliers are allowed at the pads (sorry kiddos).
  • If you hear the air horn, LOOK UP!  

Rocket Crashes are Scary for EVERYONE!

There were several rockets that came back to the flight line at the last launch.  It is everyone's responsibility to keep your eyes on the sky!  If you hear the horn and/or a heads-up call it is not just for fun, it's a signal that we have a rocket that is heading towards the flight line.  Looking up is not optional!

Stop, Look up, and Get out of the way!!! 

If you are unsure of your rocket's recovery setup, please ask!  The club is full of great people always willing to help.  A second set of eyes (even for experienced fliers) is not a bad thing.  We have all had bad things happen we can't explain, but we need to make sure every attempt has been made to have a safe recovery.  
Gary Stroick
Prefect - Tripoli Minnesota Inc.
prefect@tripolimn.org
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