Tampa Bay Rocketry Association
TBRA
When the upper stage motor lit, it immediately ejected the forward closure and the entire upper stage propellent grain was off on it's own. Amazingly, the only damage was a broken fin. The rocket was flown again the next month.
Original photos courtesy of Chris Nilsen
TBRA
BEAT THE HEAT
BOWLING EVENT
We might have had a smaller turnout than expected, but we all had a great time in good company.
Bowling event pictures can be seen here, all provided by Mike Gorecki.
Scale Nike-Hercules, with unexpectedly realistic flight and function. Scratch-built, based loosely on the Launch Pad Plan-Pak version. Larger tubing, battery, LED, safety switch in upper stage.
4 - Estes E12 motors in booster stage, 1 Estes E12 in sustainer stage.
Unexpected, but spectacular flight conclusion. Note the captions in each photo.
The property immediately to the south of the current launch field has been sold, and is no longer a part of the Rocking V Ranch. We have met with the new landowners, and have permissions to enter the properties as needed for recovery.
However, we could lose these permissions if we abuse them.
Please take care not to climb fences or gates, and and be respectful of the property.
TOM'S ROCKET GEAR
Tom's Rocket Gear is in the process of closing up completely. Tom has been a supporter of TBRA and many other rocket clubs for many years. All remaining merchandise is at reduced prices. If anyone would like to take over, and become a rocketry vendor, see Tom at one of our next launch events, or contact him at info@tomsrocketgear.com
FEBRUARY LAUNCH CANCELLED
The February 17th launch event has been cancelled due to weather. The launch will not be rescheduled. Instead we will concentrate on the upcoming 2-day launch in March. We apologize for any inconvenience, but it looks like rain most of the upcoming weekend, see everyone in March.
!!! IMPORTANT NOTICE !!!
Everything east of where we now launch was sold to a strawberry farming group. We are not permitted to enter the property to recover rockets without permission. If we put a rocket into that area, we have to contact the new owners, and they will come out and escort the rocket owner to recover it. After several emails, telephone calls, and a meeting with the new owners in person, they will not permit us unescorted access to the property. It will be an inconvenience, but we will honor their request.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
Launch Site Volunteers
We need members to set up and help out. The same 6 or 8 members keep showing up early and staying late to perform all the setup and takedown each month.
We have a dedicated member who performs as LCO each month, but we need a standby LCO to fill in as needed during the day in order to give him a break.
We need L-2/3 members to serve in the RSO/Check-in function. With all the L-2 and L-3 members we have, only 2 volunteered for the June launch. The RSO duty is set up in 2-hour blocks, and everyone seems to think that someone else will take over. This is unfair to the few volunteers we have, so starting in July, if we do not have a volunteer in the RSO position at a given time, we will stop all launch operations until someone comes up to help out. We will no longer just keep launching with the same individual serving another shift. If we have to sit around for 2 or more hours without launching, then that is what we will do.
See the Volunteers page for more information.
BUCCANEER BLAST 16
Buc Blast was fantastic. 2 days of low winds, mild temperatures, and clear skies. What more could you ask for? Plus we had the scouts cooking up burgers and dogs, as well as launching. There were a few technical problems during the night launch, but we still managed to have a good time.
PLEASE NOTE
We have a brand new "out house" facility, thanks to the hard work of Rick, Dan, Jim, Dakota, and a few others.
It features an actual, working toilet with a water supply.
Please help us keep it clean and in good shape.
We have a problem with member email addresses. The last couple of times we have tried to send out notices to members, a lot of them came back as un-deliverable. At the next launch event, all members need to see Mike Nipper and verify that their contact information is correct.
January 20 | Complete | |
| February 17 | Cancelled | |
| March 16 - 17 | Green | |
| April 20 | Green | |
| May 18 | Green | |
| June 15 | Green | |
| July 20 | No Launch | |
| August 17 | Bowling !! | |
| September 21 | Green | |
| October 19 - 20 | Green | |
| November 16 | Green | |
| December 21 | Green |
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We conduct low, mid, and high rocket launch activities near Plant City FL. We are a dual affiliated group, operating as the Tripoli Rocketry Association Prefecture 17, and as Section 934 of the National Rocketry Association.
2024 Launch Schedule
Subject to Change
Memberships expired at the end of December, 2023.
Renewal is required, and may be completed on the field.
All waivers will need to be re-accomplished at this time.