24 February 2026 SLRA Meeting Minutes – DRAFT

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Attendees: (16) Chris Franklin, Charles Barnett, Dan Cella, John Sullivan, Doug Probst, Chuck Meckfessel, Emma Meckfessel, Jason Garbus, Oliver Garbus, John O’Neill, Don Hanson, Larry Hileman, John Buckley, Dave Pape, Rob Benton, Michael J. Thomas

Sunset Hills Bandana’s BBQ; 11750 Gravois Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63127

Called to order at 7:00 p.m.

New Attendees:  Michael J. Thomas (3rd. Meeting) Welcome!

Achievements and Contributions:

  • John O’Neill attained NAR Teacher certification. Congratulations!
  • John Sullivan re-obtained Tripoli Level 1 certification at the February 21 Elsberry launch.  (Others that I missed?  There were other certification flights that day.)

27 January 2026 SLRA Meeting Minutes approved

Treasury Status

  • Current Balance $2,271.85
  • Deposits: $209.66 from PayPal (member dues)
  • Expenses: None

SLRA Memberships Total: 40 members (38 Senior, 2 Junior)

Launch Reports:

  • Elsberry – February 21, 2026 – Had three certification flights – two Level 1 and one Level 2 certifications.  The land owner was present to observe several of the flights, with an overall favorable impression given to them.

Upcoming Launches

  • Elsberry HP Launches – Fall/Winter 2025/2026. (Note: Subsequent to the October, 28 SLRA meeting, official dates have been announced and posted to the club website.  Remaining ones are: March 21/22.) 
  • Buder Park – March 28, 2026
  • Don Hanson noted that the Thunderstruck group (Pence, Indiana) will be hosting the next LDRS. 
  • Mo-Kan (South Greenfield, MO)  http://tripolimokan.org  They generally launch the third Saturday of every month during the flying season.  Time: 12:00 CST-17:00 CST
  • Central Illinois Aerospace – http://www.ciarocketry.org  Contact Greg Smith, Director of Operations, at 217-820-1678, or via email to operations@ciarocketry.org  Directions to their launch sites can be found on their website under the ‘Reconnaissance’ link. 
  • Quad Cities rocket Club (Note: near Wildman Rocketry) https://qcrc.clubexpress.com  Email: Info@QCRC.us
  • Goat Ranch – Springfield, MO – 3rd Saturday of the month
  • Kloudbusters, Argonia, Kansas.  Check their website for details on future launches:  https://kloudbusters.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=325948&module_id=566855

Old Business

  • Joel recommends going to Club Express (CE) as the location for SLRA website.  

The website would contain information regarding club activities and serve as a site for maintaining records of club activities (i.e. Meetings, launch events, membership.  Photos and videos would be posted and maintained on the SLRA Facebook Page.  Joel will be contacting a Club Express Representative to obtain information on pricing and the process for transitioning the SLRA website to Club Express.  Note: Joel was not able to be present at this meeting.  This issue will be taken up at several meetings in 2026.  Will be revisited after high power flying season at Elsberry is finished for 2026.

  • GSLMA Status.  Doug Probst will be taking the reins on maintaining communication with Buder Park North Greater St. Louis Modeling Association members.  Nothing new on this item at this time. 
  • Let Jason Garbus know if you are interested in pursuing a level 3 certification.  There is some new paperwork involved with the process.  Best to start early!
  • John Buckley noted that all NAR members should log onto the new NAR website and check their profile to be sure they are associated with the St. Louis Rocketry Association (Section #551).  This needs to be done manually by each user. 
  • It was also noted that we will have to hold to a ‘no membership card-no flight’ rule at our NAR/TRA launches.  However, a digitally downloaded membership card will be sufficient to allow a person to fly. Elsberry launch fees: Free for club members; $10 for high power, $5 for low power.
  • Nina Fischer noted that the Washington University team was still looking for a mentor but will still be going ahead with their plans.  They plan to attend as many Elsberry launches as possible to get as many of their members Level 1 and Level 2 certified as possible.  She noted that the mentor would only need to be present for the Saturday/Sunday launch days in Alabama.
  • Chris Franklin noted that the club would always like help with setup/teardown at the Elsberry launches. 
  • LDRS – Pence, Indiana – April 16-19, 2026 – The hosting group would like to borrow our monster pad and 2 launch controllers.  Jason Garbus is planning on going to the event and will possibly need to take the club trailer there a weekend earlier and will be custodian for the equipment.  The SLRA members voted in favor of making this equipment available for LDRS.
  • John O’Neill asked if there was any interest in the NAR Range Safety Officer training course.  Check out the NAR website for details. 
  • For 2026, St. Louis County Parks needs to be contacted to advise them of our scheduled Buder Park launch dates.  (Note: After the meeting, Doug Probst handled the scheduling requests.  Thanks, Doug!)  Subsequent to this effort, official club date reservations with St. Louis County Parks for the use of Buder were dropped by the club, because St. Louis County Parks required a $100 fee for each date reserved.  The club will pay daily use fees for rocket flyers instead.  For the two night launches, typically held in June and October, official club reservations with St. Louis County Parks will be pursued.)
  • John O’Neill noted that the NAR has made available a guide for mentors.  This was forwarded to the club treasurer along with the club charter certificate and is available if anyone would like a copy.
  • Doug Probst noted via email that a scout group will be joining us for the April Buder Park launch
  • Locks on trailers aren’t the original combination locks.  Mike Walsh might have the keys to them. 

New Business    

  • SLRA 501.c.3 tax filing?  Dan Cella will check to see what needs to be done.  Any required paperwork will likely be minimal.
  • Trailer titles?  Will check on what is available in the files and forward relevant info to Dan Cella. (Completed early March, 2026.)
  • Doug Probst had some contact with drone flyers at Buder Park.  He let them know that paying the daily use fees, as well as AMA membership, are required for use of the field.
  • The subject of paying a stipend to member(s) who haul the club trailers to launches was brought up and given a favorable review.  Further details to be discussed at upcoming meetings.
  • Wash U. and Chaminade rocket teams still looking for mentors if interested.
  • Note: Dave Kovar will be in town and is planning to attend the March meeting (24 March, 2026).

Adjourned 7:36 p.m.

Raffle items:

John O’Neill – Night Wing Kit

Charles Barnett – Tandem-X Kit

Chuck Meckfessel - ______