General Information

NSL 2024 East with a side of Turkey & GRITS 2024

Southern Area Rocketry – SoAR (NAR Section 571) invites you to NSL 2024 East with a side of Turkey & GRITS 2024.  We run Turkey & GRITS every year on these date as a regional launch so it was natural that when the opportunity came up that we would sponsor NSL 2024 East and add a side of Turkey and GRITS.

Where is NSL East

346 Lee Wilson Road, Nashville, GA 31639 (near Tifton, GA)

Latitude/Longitude 31°16’38.3″N 83°21’09.1″W

Valdosta VOR/DME (OTK) 355° Radial, 30 NM.

When is NSL East

November 23, 24, 25, 2024 (that’s the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving)

What are the Rules

NSL 2024 East with a side of Turkey & GRITS is sponsored by SoAR, NAR Section 571, under NAR rules. Tripoli (TRA) high-power certifications will be honored, but Tripoli members must fly under NAR rules (i.e. no research motors). Please contact your certifying organization with any insurance questions.

Flight Times

  • Flights on Saturday 11/23 and Sunday 11/24 will begin at 9AM and end at 5PM.
  • Flights on Monday will begin at 9AM and end at 4PM to give us time to take down before dark.
  • There will be a night launch on Saturday night commencing at twilight and continuing until all night flyers have flown. The night flight will not be waivered so rockets flown must be Class 1 and lighted according to FAR.

 

There will be a top-secret activity immediately after the night launch on Saturday night.  Please plan to stay to enjoy that event.  WE CANNOT ADVERTISE THIS EVENT, but it will follow after the end of night flying activities.

What about the field and what is the waiver altitude

  • A 17,999 foot MSL altitude waiver but we’re restricting flights to 15,000 feet.
  • A square mile of cleared recovery area (nothing but dirt and cotton stubble) 4 square miles including forests

Motor Requirements?

Motors must be a NAR certified, commercially manufactured rocket propulsion device as specified by the NAR Safety Code. The field is open to O motors. However, Registrants intending to launch motors of N and O impulse must contact the event director through comments@soarrocketry.org before 10/10/2024 (45 days ahead of the launch) to discuss logistics.

What size launch pads will be available?

There will be a variety of pad sizes, with rods and rails. These will range from low power pads with 1/8″ and 3/16″ rods, mid-power pads with 1/4″ and 3/8″ rods and 1010 rails, up to large high power pads with ½” rods.  1515 rail and Unistrut will be at the away cells. If you need something special, please plan on bringing it and contact us well ahead of time at comments@soarrocketry.org so that we can do our best to accommodate.

Will there be night flying?

We will host a Saturday Night Launch beginning at dusk (~6 PM). Class 1 Rockets Only.  The rocket lights must be visible during all phases of flight (even on the pad).

Is there camping on site?

Not on site.  See the accommodations section for the nearest camping.

Can a youth group attend?

Absolutely. Youth 0-14 fly free. 15+ must pay the flying fee. All flyers must register through the website regardless of age. Spectator/non-flyers are welcome to come and watch for free.

Volunteer Perks?

  • All fliers are expected to pay it forward by volunteering for one two-hour shift.
  • If you volunteer for even one shift, you will receive a free NSL 2024 East commemorative T-Shirt and a yellow vest to wear during the launch.

Can I bring my pet to NSL?

You need to be considerate of your pet.  Each animal is different.  Please don’t expose your dog/cat/support alligator to something that will terrify them. If your dog/cat/alligator is not frightened by loud noises, bring um!  If you don’t know how they will react, don’t use NSL to figure it out.

How can I help Pay It Forward?

  1. Volunteer for Range Duty while registering for NSL.
  2. Purchase recovery services from the Civil Air Patrol (yes, let the Cadets do the work of recovery for you). The service cost is being negotiated at this time.
  3. Slow down and take time to make the kids at the event welcome. Take one (and their parents) under your wing and show them how to enjoy the event.
  4. Be safe and have fun.

How do I become a vendor at NSL-E?

Please visit the vendors page for info.

Everything Else

  • Fresh-cooked food for sale
  • Porta-potties with hand-washing stations for your convenience
  • Raffle prizes featuring rockets signed by Vernon Estes, Books signed by G. Harry Stine
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