Welcome to DARS

National Association of Rocketry: Section 308

Remember Bob Wilson Event ===>>

next launch activities:
Monthly Model Rocket Launch, Saturday 19 May
on the Frisco Modroc Site

High-Power Launch, , Saturday May 26
at the Valley View Class-2 Launch Site
Note: Altitude Limited to 2,700' AGL for all flights.

next business meeting:
Saturday June 02 @ Coppell Family YMCA 1 pm.
Upstairs in the Williams Room.

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We are one of the largest, and the oldest Texas chapter, of the NAR (National Association of Rocketry.) Operating since 1972, we have been promoting sport and hobby rocketry throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex nonstop for over 30 years. While launching/flying rockets is our primary activity, our presence also reaches out into the community in other ways.

Our outreach programs work with the Scouts, YMCA, 4H, as well as many local schools and educators, to encourage the next generation of Texans to pursue their interest in science, math, aerospace or engineering. And, kids always fly free!

The general public is always welcome to attend any of our launches, bring your rockets and join in the fun. Our members will help you fly everything, from the smaller Estes and Quest model rockets up to custom built high-power rockets reaching altitudes in excess of a mile.

So if you're interested in rocketry, contact us and we'll be happy to introduce you to the hobby.
Or check out our calendar and stop by the next event.

The picture above is of a scale model Saturn-V vehicle from the Apollo missions. Flown by Warren Benson (of Houston) at a DARS launch, the kit is from Apogee Rockets and is 1/70 scale. It flew successfully on the core Aerotech G-64 motor (even though the four outboard Estes E-9 motors failed to ignite.)

At Our Frisco Launch

We will be holding a special event to remember Bob Wilson. We lost Bob last month to a very sudden heart attack. He has been a longtime friend and a dedicated rocketeer. Over the last almost twenty years, Bob has been a major contributor to the DARS and our rocket activities and hobby. At various times, Bob has been Vice President, Secretary, NAR Advisor and Contest Chair for us over the years. We will miss him.
As a couple of ways to remember Bob, we will be holding special "Cochrane Flights" in his honor, and providing yellow streamers to say we miss him.
His (very old) but classic El Camino pickup was a unique yellow, you could always tell when Bob was at a launch. Thus the yellow streamers.
We will have crepe paper and yellow plastic streamers that you can add to any model you want to fly for Bob.
"Mr.Wilson" created the Cochrane contest event for the DARS just for fun and thrills. If you knew Bob, build a Cochrane capable modroc, and come fly with us. If you don't yet know what a Chochrane Flight should be, ask one of us to explain it at the launch. You'll get a glimps of the fun side of rocketry that Bob shared anytime he was with us.

HIGH POWER Again!

The DARS is planning to hold our second High Power Rocketry (FAA class-2) Launch at our Valley View site this coming Memorial Weekend.
A one-day launch is planned for Saturday May 26 from 11am until 5pm. But stay tuned (watch the web front page) as weather and crops in the neighboring fields might interfere with the plan.