Draft minutes of the April 22, 2025 SLRA meeting. If any changes/additions need to be made, let me know via Secretary@stlouisrocketry.org
Attendees: (22) Chris Franklin, Charles Barnett, John Sullivan, Doug Probst, Chuck Meckfessel, Molly Meckfessel, Emma Meckfessel, Don Hanson, Mike Walsh, Larry Hileman, John Buckley, Oliver Garbus, Jason Garbus, Andrew Krows, Alex Dornerger, Barry Green, Jackson Wooten, Dave DeWeese, Dan Cella, Nina Fischer, Mark Nankivil, Jack Nankivil
Sunset Hills Bandana’s BBQ; 11750 Gravois Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63127
Called to order at 7:00
New Attendees: Alex Dornberger, SIUE – Level 2 certified. (others I may have missed?)
Achievements and Contributions:
- Molly Meckfessel achieved Level 1 status. 1500 feet altitude, 300 MPH. Congratulations, Molly!
- Mike Walsh launched one of Jim Davis’s (SLRA member back in the 1990’s) old Level 3 rockets at Thunderstruck at their April 11-13 launch in Pence, Indiana. Reached 7200 feet altitude. Impressive, Mike!
25 March 2025 SLRA Meeting Minutes approved
Treasury Status
- Current Balance $2,044.98
- Deposits: TBD – Dan Cella noted there were some PayPal funds to be transferred
- Expenses: $55.00
SLRA Memberships Total = 2025 current total = 33. (29 Senior/4 Junior Members)
Launch Reports:
- Mike Walsh no Elsberry High-Power Launch event occurred
Upcoming Launches
- Possible Elsberry HP Launch 29 March
- Buder Park Launch 26 April (questionable due to continued wet/flooded conditions at Buder). Charles Burnett will check Buder field conditions on Thursday, April 24.
- MOKAN Launch 17 May
- Mini-Midwest Power Quad Cities Rocketry Club 27-28 May (Memorial Weekend)
- NARAM 23-29 June in Muncie, Indiana
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 ad maintained on the SLRA Facebook Page. Joel will be contacting a Club Express Representative to obtain information on pricing and process for transitioning the SLRA website to Club Express
- GSLMA Status. Doug Probst will be taking the reins on maintaining communication with Buder Park North Greater St. Louis Modeling Association members
- SLRA Support for Wash U/SLU Rocketry Teams. No Interest expressed (possibly Jason Garbus)
- SLRA Trailers
- * Inventory needs to be taken for both trailers
- * Possibly put lights in the trailer
- * Roof damage on HP Trailer from hail storm
- * Don Hanson has the HP trailer and will be taking it to Mike Walsh’s house for maintenance.
- * Once maintenance is complete, Mike will be taking it to the Storage rental location.
New Business
- Possible additional launch site – World Wide Technology Raceway. Waiting on final word regarding permission from the site owner, but there was considerable interest expressed. Doug Probst has been in contact with Scott at the raceway. Note: Nina Fischer is employed at the raceway.
- The feasibility of rocket cars was briefly discussed, with the possible use of the drag strip at the raceway. Further consideration of any safety code issues would need to be thought through.
- At next opportunity, add NAR membership as one valid organization, in addition to the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) as eligible for use of Buder Park.
- John Buckley – Where is the box for the Buder Park launch fees? (Note: $6 per day flying fees instituted recently.) It should be at the pavilion but couldn’t be located when last visited the field. Also expressed concern about flying fees for any TARC teams flying at Buder. At least the ‘button pusher’ needs to be a NAR member and have Buder permit fees paid. Club maintains attitude of making every attempt to comply with the Buder fees and NAR membership requirements.
Adjourned 7:25