Launch Field

Battlepark is great field for low, mid, and high power rockets located 4 miles south of Culpepper, VA.

Directions to the field can be found right on Google Maps (or other major mapping program). Simply search for Tripoli Central Virginia and it will take you to the launch site on Crittenden Ln, in Rapidan, VA.

The launch site has standing altitude limit of 7,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) with higher flights possible with prior approval by the TCV Board of Directors.

All flights with a planned apogee above 7,000 feet must be pre-approved by the TCV Board of Directors, and require the submission of a Tripoli Central Virginia Flight Pre-Approval form at least two weeks before the launch date. Note that all flights are subject to RSO approval, and may be restricted due to weather conditions and other factors.

The Battlepark launch site is an active farm, and the working farm limits launch activity as we cannot fly when the filed is being used to grow crops. The land owner has been nothing short of fantastic in his dealings with us. Also, we must respect all surrounding property. We ask that everyone that attends our launches do everything they can to care for the property on which we fly. Please take care of the land and any existing crops as much as you can.

An ariel view of the Battlepark range looking to the East. Note there is a fair amount of recovery area “behind the flight line” that is not visible in this picture. Also, please know that winds coming out of the North (blowing from left to right in the picture below) make the useable field very “small,” and significantly limit how high we can fly.

The launch range at BattlePark is set up to accommodate rockets of all sizes and power levels, to include complex rockets and research motors that comply with the Tripoli Safety Code.

ALL high power rockets must be flown off launch rails.

In front of the Launch Control Officer (LCO) are 8 launch pads. This first bank of pads is equipped with 1/8″ 3/16″ and 1/4″ launch rods as well as several 10/10 rails. This area is arranged to support all low and mid power flights (1/4A – G impulse) and has room to allow multiple ARC teams to operate simultaneously.

The second bank of launch pads, High Power 1, is comprised of 5 launch pads all with 10/10 rails. This area can accommodate any commercial and research motor up to 1280 newton seconds (a ‘J’ motor).

The third bank of launch pads, High Power 2, is comprised of 3 launch pads with 15/15 rails and 2 with 10/10 rails. This area can support commercial and research motors up to 5120 newton seconds (an ‘L’ motor).

Have a large project with an M class motor? Set at a distance of over 500 feet from the flight line is the away cell. This massive launch pad can support most any project one can bring out. It has a 16 foot long uni-strut rail that can also be adapted to a 15/15 when needed. We also have a dedicated 8′ 15/15 rail for lighter weight projects that will take to the sky on L or M power.