Monthly Archives: January 2018

Updated Update NO LAUNCH Jan 2018

January 12, 2018 by SKARadmin

Updated Update.

 

NO LAUNCH this weekend. Yes it sucks, and I am sorry. Received a followup email from the 412 OSS OSO/DO addressing some of the issues. Some of them they are taking care of, like the fact that the R2515 Airspace Management voicemail is full so no one can leave messages.

 

They also restated their authority to deny our launch request on ALL classes. I have forwarded this to the Air Traffic Control Specialist with the WSC/Operations Support Specialist that I had been speaking to at the FAA. Until the FAA clarifies I do not want to do anything to risk losing our Airspace Agreement.

 

I will also begin to look for a new launch site again.

 

Below is the email.

 

 

Hello Chris,

 

Thank you for contacting me today.

 

We checked the R-2515 voicemail and it is indeed full. We’re working to get it cleared out.

 

Our airspace office will make every attempt to let you know when they receive your request. Please be patient. They may not always be able to give you a prompt answer at the time of your request (they may be waiting on the status of certain test missions). They will send approval/denial of your operation as soon as they are able, based on Test Wing (TW) flying.

 

Policy:

IAW CFR 14 101 para 101.5 No person may operate a moored balloon, kite, amateur rocket, or unmanned free balloon in a prohibited or restricted area unless he has permission from the using or controlling agency, as appropriate. IAW CFR 14 101 Subpart C, an Amateur rocket includes Class I rockets.

 

R-2515 is NOTAM’d continuously active SFC to Unlimited. Approval from the Using Agency (the 412 TW/CC) is required IAW CFR 14. When we are not using the airspace for TW missions, we release the airspace (above 6K) to Joshua Approach for shared-use. However, you still require approval from the TW from the SFC to 6K. The TW/CC has approved your operation (via the instructions of your LOA) on a non-interference basis with the 412 TW mission.

 

Please continue to coordinate with R-2515 as normal. If you are unable to get in touch with the R-2515 office, feel free to contact me for assistance.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

 

Thank you.

 

V/R

Trish Fisher, NH-III, USAF

412 OSS OSO/DO

235 S. Flighline Ln

Edwards AFB, Ca. 93524

DSN: 527-8582/Comm: (661) 277-8582

Email: Patricia.fisher.6@us.af.mil

 

 

Update on issues with the R2515 Airspace Management office and our Jan launch

January 11, 2018 by SKARadmin

Hello everyone. I just wanted to update you on our ongoing issues with the R2515 Airspace Management Office.

 

So I have ascertained that at the heart of the issue is that the person we have been working with (who was absolutely amazingly helpful) has changed to another office.

 

I sent our request for this weekend last Thursday. We used to get an email confirmation letting us know they got our request and will get back to us ASAP. Then, by Tuesday evening we have a tentative yes or no, and they contact us back again by Thur to confirm. This is how it has been for near 3 years.

 

For the last 3 months, it has not been this way. There has been no confirmation that our request was received. We have not been getting a response until thursday or friday.

 

Previously we have had issues where we were not allowed to launch on Sat, so we would launch Sun. This is why we request those days as backup from the FAA.

 

Out of the last 5 request, 3 of them (Including this weeks) have been outright denied. No sat or sun launch. No changing of altitude, no changing of flight times, just a no.

 

When I was working with the FAA this last month to submit our FAA waivers for 2018, the supervisor of our area based out of Seattle Wa mentioned that he used to work in this airspace management office (2515), and during the course of our conversation this issue we are having came up.

 

He informed me that R2515 can NOT outright deny our requests. They must work with us on days, times and altitudes if able, and if not they must provide us in writing a reason as to why. Further, they can not deny us the launching of Class 1 rockets at all. He said that if we had any further issues to let him know and he will contact the facility.

 

So today after having not heard back from R2515 I attempted to call them. There was no answer, and I could not leave a voicemail as the box was full. I contacted the next level up which is the 412 Operations Support squadron. While being polite, they were very adamant that they were the Air Force, and have no obligation to allow any civilian use of any kind of the air space. I mentioned my conversation with the FAA, and was told they would look into it and get back to me.

 

roughly an hour later I received an email simply stating the following:

 

“Sir/Ma’am,

 

R-2515 is unable to approve your operations on the requested dates.”

 

I have forwarded this mail to the FAA supervisor for our area that I spoke to before, with a brief explanation.

 

As of right now, So long as anyone wants to launch Class 1 rockets, I intend on showing up at the launch site Saturday morning at 9am, however our launches will be restricted to Class 1 rockets only (A-G motors).

 

I’d like to apologize to our members, especially our new ones who have not had an opportunity to launch yet, for the issues with our launches these past few months. I am working every angle I can to get us better access, and better communication for our launches, unfortunately the change in personnel at the office we coordinate with seems to have some issues.

 

I will update you all if anything else changes.