The draft minutes for last Tuesday's SLRA meeting are below. Send any revisions to: secretary@stlouisrocketry.org
Attendees: (18) Charles Barnett, John Sullivan, Doug Probst, Chuck Meckfessel, Molly Meckfessel, Emma Meckfessel, Don Hanson, Larry Hileman, John Buckley, Jason Garbus, John O’Neill, Scott Nokes, Tanya Nokes, Chris Lageman, Skipton Eberhart, John Hilker, Rob Benton, Tim Gannon
Sunset Hills Bandana’s BBQ; 11750 Gravois Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63127
Called to order at 7:00
New Attendees: None
Achievements and Contributions:
- None noted at this meeting.
22 April 2025 SLRA Meeting Minutes approved
Treasury Status
- Dan Cella not able to be present – info relayed via email
- Current Balance $2,058.20
- Deposits: $143.82 from PayPal for membership dues
- Expenses: $130.00 for storage and interpreter services.
SLRA Memberships Total = 2025 current total = 41. (39 Senior/2 Junior Members)
Launch Reports:
- Mini-Midwest Power – Princeton, Illinois – Robert Benton flew Firestorm 54 on an Aerotech J350 to 5943’. John Hilker – Flew 2.26” Black Brant to 4000’. He also flew an Estes Nike Smoke on a G64. Don Hanson flew a Nike Smoke on a J415 to 4441’, a Patriot on an L1256 to 8629’, and a ____ on a K805.
Upcoming Launches
- Elsberry HP Launch – Next Fall. Mike Walsh not able to be at this meeting.
- Buder Park Launch 31 May – weather looks promising. Classic Estes Themed launch
- NARAM 23-29 June in Muncie, Indiana
- Don Hanson noted that the Thunderstruck group (Pence, Indiana) will be hosting the next LDRS.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Possible additional launch site – World Wide Technology Raceway. At this point, Doug is still wanting to have an in-person conversation with the site owner before scheduling a launch. Also, their weekend calendar is essentially full currently.
- Box for the Buder Park launch fees? (Note: $6 per day flying fees instituted recently.) Thanks to Doug Probst for posting photos of the box on the SLRA website. 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. (Note: The box for launch fees did not have any envelopes available at the 31 May launch for leaving payment for daily use. Also – the grass at Buder Park was approximately a foot tall for the 31 May launch. Just saying.)
New Business
- The St. Louis County Park Rangers were contacted for support needed during the upcoming June and October night launches. Laura MacLeod did not think we needed park ranger support for the June launch at this time, unless we wanted to have a ranger present. The club decided to forego the expense at this time. The secretary will let Laura know of the club’s decision.
- The subject of a trailer maintenance day was brought up. Will need to involve Mike W.
- Doug Probst mentioned the possibility of another launch site in Illinois – the YMCA located in Maryville. They would be OK with using their soccer field for this purpose. However, note that the use of an adjacent hay field will not be permitted by its owner.
Adjourned 7:30