Night Launch

Rules and Regulations

The purpose for holding a night launch:
To Advance the State of the Art in Onboard
NIGHT ILLUMINATION TRACKING EQUIPMENT

FAA requirements: Obtain a full FAA Waiver

  1. FAR-101.1: All daylight flights shall cease at sunset, when the sun falls below the visible horizon.
  2. Reduction of maximum altitude to 2500 feet
  3. Four quadrant aircraft lookouts
  4. All models must be safety inspected during daytime operation, including all engines to be used during night flights. All models must have made a successful daytime flight in full night configuration to be considered for inclusion.
  5. All models must be lighted. Models between 1 lb and 3.3 lbs must have a high-intensity light source such as a strobe or high-output LEDs (minimum 2000 mcd visible at 2000 feet).
  6. Special notification to BWI airport and a separate NOTAM

Club and Operational Requirements

  1. Log all observed aircraft entering airspace during night launch operations.
  2. All attending persons are additional aircraft lookouts. Please keep looking.
  3. Keep noise and talking to a minimum during countdowns. Keep conversations away from the range head.
  4. Cylume chemical light sticks shall be used only on models and/or gliders powered by B motors or less. NO EXCEPTIONS
  5. All lanterns and flashlights are to have red lens filters. See Night-RSO if you need one.