Background: I am a new forum joinee and I have questions. I am a BAR dealing with low/mid power, mainly for my daughters' 4H projects. I have recently joined NAR and WOOSH. We have attended a few of the Bong launches over the summer, just as observers.
1) There is no mention of Tripoli WI membership, dues, meetings, etc. on this website?
2) How is TripWI related to WOOSH? Their launch equipment looks suspiciously similar.
3) Are there any TripWI formal rules for who can launch? (E.g., must be a Tripoli, WOOSH, or NAR member, etc.)
4) I am thinking that the Kenosha county 4H rocketry kids would really get a kick out of attending and maybe launching LPR. Is this a feasible plan? Feasible at a TripWI launch or stick to WOOSH?
5) Any launch fees?
6) etc?

Dave,
While I am not an officer of Tripoli Wisconsin, I think I can answer your questions fairly well.

1) There are no Tripoli Wisconsin (TWA) dues. TWA is made up of several prefectures of Tripoli; there is no fee to be a member of TWA, just to be a member of Tripoli, which qualifies you to be a TWA member. No regular meetings, although there are occasional equipment maintenance and cleaning days.

2) TWA is a group of Tripoli members that fly at Bong on a nearly monthly basis. Woosh is a group of NAR members that fly at Bong on a nearly monthly basis. NAR members are allowed to fly (low-high power) at Tripoli launches and vice-versa. Many NAR members are also Tripoli members and vice versa. Many Woosh members fly at TWA launches and vice-versa. Bottom line: NAR members may fly rockets at Tripoli launches, Tripoli members may fly at NAR launches.

3) At TWA launches, anybody can fly low power rockets (A-D power), and its free! If you will be flying mid or high power (E on up), you must pay the $10 launch fee. If you plan on flying high power (H on up), you must be certified through Tripoli or NAR.

4) Oftentimes, groups of youngsters with a leader/s show up and launch a ton of rockets. This is great, and even encouraged. Sometimes (no gaurantees), the LCO will even let the kids "push the button."

5) See #3: free for low power, $10 for E and up.

6) Talk to some people in the pits; introduce yourself. Ask lots of questions; TWA and WOOSH are both great groups. Attend TWA and WOOSH launches, see if you prefer one. As I stated earlier, there is a lot of overlap of Woosh and TWA; many are members of both, or attend both launches. Lastly; enjoy the hobby!

-Eric Cayemberg-

My situation is almost identical to yours, Dave...I'm a BAR who got some AT 29mm stuff (now several other 29mms)...Joined Woosh & NAR...

Then I found TRA-WI when I went to bong a week after a WOOSH launch to hunt down a lost rocket. Since then, I've attended & launched at 2 events w/my family.

Bottom line, I like them both, and as there are no dues, TRA-WI (can we infringe on a copyright and usurp "TRW"...or maybe "TWA", as it's not being used?) is a no brainer...it offers additional opportunities to launch at Bong. I see many other 'club-hoppers' like me (WOOSH regulars lauching at TRW).

I found the crowds a bit bigger at TRW...more families & kids (good, as I'm w/my 6yo)...more BIG stuff to watch, more barbecuing...it's really a nice blend of family fun and big firepower (small stuff too, of course)!

About the only negative, IMO, is that the launchers & command/control setup aren't as good or sophisticated as WOOSH.

And I'm guessin' the crowds are bigger 'cuz they usually have one-day launch events, not two like most WOOSH ones (though next week is a big TRW 2-day event!). And I usually go to the Sunday WOOSH days, which I'm sure are not as popular as Saturdays.

To wrap up...there's no 'competition' between the to organizations, they compliment each other well. C'mon up next weekend and check it out!!

Dean,

Good info; however Tripoli Wisconsin is definetely TWA, not TRW; have a shirt with TWA on it. TRA= Tripoli Rocketry Association; TWA= Tripoli Wisconsin Association, currently composed of Tripoli Green Bay (Frank Nobile prefect), Tripoli Wisconsin (Dan Byra prefect), and Tripoli Chicago (Bob Justus prefect). TWA also formally included Tripoli Northern Illinois as well as Tripoli Madison. Hope to meet you both at an upcoming launch (although I am unable to attend the Sept 30/Oct. 1 launch).

-Eric-

not gonna be there Eric ? dont be a party pooper ;-)

The Kenosha county 4H rocketry project had their first meeting of the year last night. I listed the Spring/Summer WOOSH and TWA Bong launches on their calendar of events. Hopefully some of the kids will come out to watch and maybe even launch.