GO FOR LAUNCH - Serpentine 2 Day Launch - Sunday 5th May 2024

This is the second day of our annual 2 day launch event, which is now GO FOR LAUNCH

The launch window will be open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday the 15th, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday 16th. 

An informal dinner will be held on the Saturday evening. Please register to attend here to help us with making the booking.

The flyers' briefing will begin at the commencement of each days activities. The range will open immediately after the briefing. If you are planning on launching, it is mandatory to attend the briefing.

Launch Site Location:

At our Serpentine Launch Site! For more information visit our Serpentine Launch Site page.

Keep your eyes open for the club sign identifying the access to the range off the highway.  WE ARE USING A GATE FURTHER NORTH FROM BENDIGO THAN OUR NORMAL ENTRANCE.

 

 

An Important Safety Note:

We have been made aware that some areas of the launch site, in addition to being recently sown, have been treated with slug poison. This poison is toxic not only to slugs, but also to humans and animals, if ingested.

Whilst we normally welcome our four legged friends on a leash, we request that you please do not bring any animals to the range for this launch. Please also be prepared to supervise children closely.

For members and guests staying on the flightline, any risk can be mitigated by following good hygiene practices, and driving at walking pace ONLY to keep the dust down.

For those involved recovering rockets, we recommend the following PPC to minimise any contact with the pesticide, particularly when picking your rocket off the ground:
- Long sleeved clothes
- Nitrile gloves
- N95 facemask
- Safety glasses/sunglasses
- Separate shoes for recovery

The areas that have been treated will be clearly marked and communicated in the flyers safety briefing.

The farmer has requested that we keep foot traffic on all paddocks to an absolute minimum to protect the recently sown seeds. To that end we will request that only one person per rocket (where feasible) is to proceed across the paddock on foot, with any additional support staying on the tracks and off the crops.

 

Registration

Everyone that attends this event MUST register in advance using the registration button.

Registration is free for members of the Victorian Rocketry Association and Interstate Tripoli Prefecture (TRA) Members. All other attendees 18 years or older must purchase a visitor pass on the day. The cost for the pass is $5.00 cash. This visitor’s fee contributes to on-site facilities such as the purchase and upkeep of our portable toilets.

All attendees must go to the registration tent on arrival at the event to have your registration confirmed. You will be issued either a member’s wristband or a visitor’s wristband. Visitors under 18 will also be issued a visitor's wristband, although no fee will be charged. Please have a cash payment of $5.00 at the event (please have a $5 note with you) for registration payment as we do not have EFTPOS on-site.

Please note if you are not wearing a wristband at the event, we will ask you to register.

Visitors wishing to attend both days of the two-day launch should purchase both a Saturday and Sunday ticket. Saturday tickets can be found here. 

If you have any questions, please contact us via email membership.vra@mail.tidyhq.com

 

Certification Flights

Please let us know if you will be attempting to Certify. Members attempting Level 2 are requested to advise the President, Isaac Sims in advance via email president.vra@mail.tidyhq.com. There may be options to complete the written exam PRIOR to the launch weekend.

 

Altitude

The maximum altitude that we can fly is 23,500 feet AMSL. Flor flyers wishing to fly above 13,500 feet AMSL we ask that you notify the committee during the flyers briefing. 

 

Pad Operations

Key update: Recent global Tripoli Prefecture decision, only paid-up current members of TRA (US) are permitted past the flight line to the launch pads for insurance reasons. All spectators need to stay behind the flight line. This applies to university rocketry teams where all members must be paid-up Tripoli members (not 5 to 1 as previously) to be on range.