24 March 2026 SLRA Meeting Minutes – DRAFT

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Attendees: (22) Charles Barnett, John Sullivan, Doug Probst, Chuck Meckfessel, Molly Meckfessel, Jason Garbus, Oliver Garbus, John O’Neill, Don Hanson, Larry Hileman, John Buckley, Dave Pape, Rob Benton, Dave Kovar, Josie Kovar (Corgi), Dave DeWeese, John Hilker, Chris Lageman, Henry Wright, Nina Fischer, Joe Bryant, Rob Chapie

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

Called to order at 7:00 p.m.

New Attendees:  Joe Bryant – Flying first rocket Saturday, March 28.  Welcome!

Dave Kovar and Josie visiting from New Mexico.  Good to see you again!

Achievements and Contributions:

At the March 21 Elsberry High Power Launch:

  • Molly Meckfessel – attained Tripoli Level 2 certification.
  • Jack Oney – Re-obtained Tripoli Level 1 certification. 
  • Tim Cippola – Attained Tripoli Level 1 certification.  Congratulations to all!
  • Larry Hileman – pulled club trailer to March 21 Elsberry high power launch – Thank you!  Much appreciated!
  • Jack Oney noted that he had recently taught a model rocketry class in Scotland, and is looking towards starting a rocket club in the O’Fallon, MO/Wentzville area.

24 February 2026 SLRA Meeting Minutes approved

Treasury Status

  • Current Balance $2,710.75
  • Deposits: $394.66
  • Expenses: None

SLRA Memberships Total: 51 members (49 Senior, 2 Junior)

Launch Reports:

  • Elsberry – March 21, 2026 – Much warmer weather than the Feb. 21 launch.  Had 32 flyers, 57 flights, with 2 certification flights.  There was a window open to 10,000 feet for 1 hour.  One flight reached 9700 feet.

Upcoming Launches

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.  Will require considerable effort on the part of qualified member(s) to make the changes.

  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • SLRA 501.c.3 tax filing?  Dan Cella will check to see what needs to be done.  Any required paperwork will likely be minimal.
  • Wash U. and Chaminade rocket teams still looking for mentors if interested.

New Business    

  • GSLMA – the organization wants to dissolve, since little purpose for its existence remains.  Determination needs to be mas as to what to do with remaining funds the organization has on hand, which is approximately several thousand dollars.  Either redistribute to original groups forming the organization or keep for field maintenance work?
  • Any candidate alternate launch sites?  No new ones at this time.  John O’Neill may perform a search via airplane flight.  Possible use of RC airplane field near Eureka, MO?  Area near Riverport?
  • The club decided to make a reservation for Buder Park for just the October launch to extend into the night. 
  • Jason Garbus noted that we had applied for a Tripoli grant and received $250, which was used to purchase fire extinguishers which are kept in the high power trailer.
  • For the March 28 Buder Park launch, start setup at 8:00 a.m. with trailer arriving around 9:00 a.m., with flying to start around 10:00 a.m.
  • John Buckley noted a postal NAR games competition, consisting of 4 events.  For more details, contact John:
    • Alpha w/B motor, and altimeter
    • Big Bertha duration w/B motor
    • A Streamer Duration
    • ½ A Rocket Glider
  • Dave Kovar was happy to see the meeting attendance.  His typical meeting has about 8 attendees.  There are 4 different NAR groups in his area, with all of them together being about the size of SLRA.  They are able to launch every month

Adjourned 7:40 p.m.

Raffle items:

Charles Burnett – Launcher set

John Sullivan – Hand glider kit

Dave Kovar’s items:

Rob Benton – Green chile sauce

Don Hanson – Hot sauce

Rob Benton – Hat

Jason Garbus – Mystery Box (V2 Kit)