NARHAMS Model Rocket Club

The NARHAMS model rocket club serves Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan Area. The club is an official chapter section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). First established in 1965, NARHAMS is the oldest continuously operating model rocket club in the United States and was named Section of the Year for 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007. We are also the National Championship section for 2001 and 2004.

Next Launch:	Oct 17, 12:00 pm Mt. Airy, MD Theme: Boost Gliders / NRC Launch	Mt. Airy, MD Weather Forecast
Next Meeting:	Oct 3, 5:30 pm Online Topic: TARC Build
If a launch is postponed or cancelled, it will be updated here by 6 pm the day prior. Launch is assumed to be a GO unless otherwise noted.

Updated Rules for Launches

Due to COVID-19, the State of Maryland requires NARHAMS and all park patrons to follow these rules.

If you are exhibiting signs of COVID-19 symptoms then you can not attend the launch activity.
Face coverings are to be worn properly at all times while participating in rocket activities, especially while at Safety Check-in and Launch Racks. Face covering can be relaxed while at your personal prep area that is a minimum distance of 12 feet from another prep area. If you cannot wear a face mask, a face shield is allowed.
Social Distancing of a minimum of 6ft between family units. To help with maintaining social distancing while waiting for safety check in, cones will be placed at intervals that we ask that you stand at. We ask spectators to spread out as much as possible to maintain social distancing.
Hand sanitizer will be provided and should be use as needed and before and after handling launch equipment.
Failure to follow the above rules could result in being asked to leave the launch field.
NARHAMS reserves the right to refuse to launch a rocket or stop the launch entirely for any reason.

Additional rocket launch specific procedures:

Rack and rail assignment will be made to maintain social distancing between groups. This means full rack usage will likely not be seen during the launch.
The use of digital flight cards and waivers is to help limit material transmission between parties.
The email address being collected is for NARHAMS only. It is being collected in case you need to be contacted for COVID-19 contact tracing.

COVID-19 Notice to Rocketeers from NARHAMS - May 11, 2020

NARHAMS had taken note of the easing of some of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Maryland governor Hogan has issued a new executive order which assigns the decisions to open outdoor public spaces for the purposes of large gatherings into the hands of the local health officer for each Maryland county. While this may sound like progress, most of the social distancing guidelines applicable to us as an organization remain in place.

Gatherings for social, recreational and sport events of more than 10 people are still prohibited at all Maryland locations and venues. Planned large events remain cancelled until after the termination of the state of emergency in Maryland.

In addition to monitoring the State of Maryland orders, NARHAMS monitors the guidelines issued by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). The NAR's previous policy was to prohibit all scheduled events. Effective April 28th the NAR updated its policy on scheduled section and NRC events to advise that all NAR sections are to follow all applicable national, state, and local requirements, restrictions, and recommendations for the physical location of the events. We also monitor the status of the NASA Goddard Visitor Center to public gatherings. The Visitor Center remains closed and its events remain cancelled until further notice.

Kindly note that the NARHAMS Calendar of Events now lists our events through May 2020 as cancelled. ECRM-47, originally scheduled for June 20-21 has been postponed to September 19 and will be a one day only event (no after-party picnic, sorry). NARHAMS has made the tough decision to proactively cancel the annual Apollo Contest at the NASA Goddard Visitor Center -- which would have taken place in July.

UPDATE: ECRM-47 is now cancelled. The sport launch on September 19 will still be held if volunteers are available.

Our monthly meetings are currently scheduled as webinar events only. See the top of the calendar page for a link to receive the log in information for the meeting webinars.

Just to reiterate - we will not rush to re-engage in our activities just because we can. We have little appetite to start our re-engagement with an activity that traditionally has drawn several dozen participants. We intend to ramp up our activities in a progressive manner that places a priority on the public health of our membership and guests.

ECRM Contest Cancelled

ECRM-47 contest has been cancelled. The sport launch scheduled for September 19 is still planned, assuming we can get enough volunteers to support the launch.

Goddard Launches Cancelled

Goddard Visitor Center closed to the public on March 13. Therefore, NARHAMS launches at Goddard are cancelled until further notice.

New Launch Site Approved

NARHAMS has received approval for a launching at a new site in Carroll County. The new site is at Krimgold Park, 5355 Woodbine Road (MD Route 94) near Woodbine, MD.

Site is limited to G-powered models and below (same as Mt. Airy). No vehicles or pop-up tents are allowed on the grass, and no PA system is allowed.

Come on out to check out the field, do some fun flying, or get in some TARC practice flights!

Mt. Airy Launches

Club launches are held on the third Saturday of every month, weather permitting, at Old National Pike Park in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The field can support up to G-powered motors with the appropriate FAA waivers. Launch times vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the Calendar for details. Our launches are always open to non-club members who wish to fly. NARHAMS provides launch controllers and pads with 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" rods, as well as 1010 and 20mm rails.

Please do not contact Frederick County Parks with questions about launches. Instead, email questions to any of the following people:
Alex Mankevich
Sarah Jackson
Jim Miers

Directions to Mt. Airy Field

Goddard Launches

NARHAMS also supports the oldest public demonstration launches in the United States. These launches are held on the first Sunday of each month at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, starting at 1 pm. Anyone who wishes to fly at these events may do so. Due to the limited recovery area, the flying of high power models and untested designs is discouraged. The impulse limit at Goddard is D engine or less.

Directions to Goddard

Meetings

Meetings are usually held on the first Saturday of each month, starting at 5:30 pm, at the College Park Airport. The first part of the meeting will be a building session or discussion. The business meeting will start around 7 pm, and will end around 9 pm. Any leftover items will get discussed over a late dinner at Ledo's.

The next scheduled meeting is October 3

Directions

Becoming a Member

If this sounds like fun, why not become a member? Dues are only 10 cents a week, with 50 cents minimum required to join. Download the membership form and send it in today!

Please note that to be eligible to vote at club meetings or to compete as a member of NARHAMS, you must also:
a) be a current member of the NAR
b) attend at least one of the previous 3 monthly business meetings

Mailing List

The NARHAMS mailing list is primarily for NARHAMS members to discuss upcoming events related to the club. Non-club members are free to join in the discussion, but please keep the postings at least somewhat related to model rocketry.

Click to join:

NARHAMS Store

Need to stock up on some officially licensed NARAHMS logo gear? Check out our online store!

Additional Information

NARHAMS President: Alex Mankevich
NARHAMS Section Advisor: Jim Miers
National Association of Rocketry: P.O. Box 407
Marion, IA 52302
800-262-4872
Sign up for the NAR's electronic newsletter here
Public Launches at Goddard: NASA Goddard Visitor Center
301-286-8981