Duty Roster
The following are the responsibilities of the listed launch site positions as defined by the Canadian Association of Rocketry (CAR).
Rocket Inspector
- Oversee and provide guidance to RIs in training.
- Participate with the RSO and the Launch Organizer to protect people, property and the environment from safety risks that may arise during launch activities.
- Inspect all rockets to ensure safe, stable flights.
- Ensure that persons presenting high power rockets for inspection are appropriately qualified and/or authorized.
- Ensure that rockets fall into the limits imposed by the RSO and the Authorization to Launch High Powered Rockets.
- Ensure that all appropriate records are provided for each high power rocket launched and forward the information to the LCO upon completion of the inspection of the rocket.
- In the event of a mishap, assisting the RSO and the LCO in securing the launch site and ensuring that all relevant data and materials are impounded for investigation.
Please refer to the Certified Rocket Inspector Program for more detailed information about this position.
Pad Manager
The Pad Manager is primarily responsible for assigning rockets to the appropriate launch pad. The Pad Manager responsibilities include:
- Ensure that rockets are loaded onto the assigned pads.
- Assist rocketeers in mounting rockets on the assigned pads and in connecting igniters and launch controller connections.
- Ensuring that the LCO is aware of what rockets are on what pads.
- Ensure that launch rails or launch towers that are not angled as required by the RSO are not used and that the RSO is notified.
- Ensure that pads that are not in good working order are not used and are reported to the RSO.
Launch Control Officer
The Launch Control Officer (LCO) works with the RI and RSOs as well as the Pad Managers. While the Range Safety Officer for the launch event is ultimately responsible for safe launch operations, the LCO actively oversees the ongoing management of the range during launch operations. The LCO's duties and responsibilities include:
- Participate with the RSO and launch organizer to protect people, property and the environment from safety risks that may arise during launch activities.
- Brief all spectators and participants of expected behavior, boundaries, accepted practices for certification flights, review countdown procedure and recovery process for rockets.
- Ensure launch cards match rocket being launched.
- Ensure that rockets are on the appropriate pad prior to launching the rocket.
- Conduct countdowns and launch announcements of each flight over a public address system.
- Announce "heads up" for all flights designated as heads up flights by the RSO and ensure compliance of the .Heads Up. call prior to launching the flight.
- Ensure that the sky is clear of all traffic prior to the commencement of the countdown and launch of each flight.
- Ensure that the launch pad area is clear of all people and/or hazards prior the commencement of the countdown and launch of each flight.
- Ensure that the designated ballistic impact area is clear of all people and/or hazards prior to the commencement of the countdown and launch of each flight.
- Listen for any calls to halt the launch and investigate the reason.
- stopping a launch countdown and/or launch when winds exceeds specified launch limits
- Press the ignition device for each rocket.
- In the event of a failed flight, record the observed failure on a Failed Flight Report and inform the RSO.