RAINBOW VALLEY, Arizona USA — Make your plans now to attend the fifth annual Arizona Rocket Gathering, ARGV, in the beautiful shadows of Estrella Mountain in Rainbow Valley, Arizona, home of the imfamous Gila Monster rocket, to be held February 22nd through the 24th, 2008.

Huge Saturn V that flew at last year's ARG-4.

The Arizona Rocket Gathering launches have turned into a spectacular regional launch event and are a welcome respite from the cold weather usually associated with February and the dead of winter.  Bright sunshine and cool temperatures mean great rocket launching with the mercury in the 60's, perfect weather for the sport.

The launch will consist of commercial launches on Friday and Saturday and EX/Research rules applying to Sunday.  ROCKETS Magazine will be on hand to appropriate a launch article and shoot their legendary videos, so perhaps your flight can be captured to share with the rest of the world.

Hosted by the Arizona High Power Rocketry Association (AHPRA), the launch features a standing waiver of 7,500 feet AGL with a high altitude window available to 11,000 feet AGL.  Rockets up to full O impulse have been launched and successfully recovered on the Rainbow Valley field. AHPRA will provide range equipment including 1/4" and 1/2" rods and Blacksky and Unistrut type rails.  If your project requires a special rail, a tower or something unique, you should make arrangements to bring it.  The range fee is $20.

As an added bit of fun, AHPRA has been playing up the "ARG" aspect of the launch with pirate gear and costumes, awarding prizes for the best children's pirate outfit.  So bring your wench, sword and pirate flag and enjoy the launch!

Directions:

1. Interstate 10 to exit 121, Jackrabbit Trail.
2. South on Jackrabbit Trail, past the river to Elliot, turn left.
3. East on Elliot to Rainbow Valley Road. There is a dairy on the north side there, turn right.
4. South on Rainbow Valley Road to Chandler Heights, farm buildings on two south corners, turn left.
5. East on Chandler Heights about 2-1/2 miles, chain link gate on the north (left) side, turn left through the gate.
6. Close the gate using the chain. If the cattle get out they will lose the launch site.

10-24-2007 11:40 PM  #1
StuBarrett Certified Level Eleven   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 100	ARG launch What are the GPS coordinates for this site (no smart ass remarks Mark!)? Stu