Launch Site
Table of contents
Launching rockets is the fun part but before you can fly your rocket, you need to secure a safe, secluded location to launch. This article should help prepare you for selecting and securing a launch site.
Finding a site
When you launch rockets, the hope is that they will travel straight up, but this is not always the case. Even if your rocket travels perfectly up, staying above the launch pad, your recovery system (eg. parachute) may be susceptible to winds and can carry the rocket for many feet laterally before returning to the ground. These reasons are why the NAR Safety Codes define safe launch site dimensions. Trust me, you will want a bigger field than you think, especially if you are using parachutes.
Using mapping software such as Google Maps, you can survey the area, and locate a field that matches your requirements (eg. measuring the approximate dimensions using a tool like one built into google maps). A good starting point may be to find a local NAR club and to talk to them about where they launch from.
Getting permission to launch
If you do not own the land that you plan to launch from which will be most cases, unless you own acres of land, then you will have to get permission to use the land to launch your rockets.
If the land is owned by your local town, make sure to contact them. If the land is private, contact the appropriate landowner, making sure to explain the activities you will be doing on their property.
When contacting someone about the use of their property, be it a public authority or a private person, make sure to explain the safety measures and local regulations that you know and will follow to ensure the safety of you, their property, and others in proximity to the launch.