We currently have access to three fields belonging to the Horning Dairy Farm. The fields have an FAA Waiver for 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL). Please notify the club officers at the launch if you plan on any flight that may reach close to the waiver altitude for approval. Weather conditions on the day of the event must be suitable.
The Waiver allows us to call 48-72 hours in advance to post a Notice to all Airmen (NOTAM) regarding our flight hours for our open window to waive our restrictions to controlled airspace; we also notify Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) tower before we begin daily rocketry operations. We still perform a visual check of the airspace because waivers do not create a sterile airspace and we must ensure its clear before each flight. DTW tower can call with a notification of an inbound flight of an aircraft requiring us to suspend operations temporarily. We stay in contact with Metro Approach on the day of the launch to keep everyone safe.
Field access is dependent on the crops planted each year, and the fields often rotate. Fields with corn can be used in the Spring until roughly June. Access is restored when the corn is cut, usually in the September/October time frame. Fields with alfalfa can be used any time in the early Spring and Fall. During the harvest months in the Summer, the alfalfa is cut every 28 days, depending on the weather. Once cut, we have a 10-day window in which we can host a launch there. Unfortunately, the dynamic nature of farming doesn’t allow for setting schedules well in advance.
Directions to Horning 1:
From the East
1. On I94 East take exit 167 for Baker Rd
2. Turn left onto Baker Rd
3. Take the 1st right onto Jackson Rd
4. Go 1.1 mi then turn left onto S Parker Rd
5. After 5.5 mi Parker turns into Pleasant Lake Rd
6. Continue on Pleasant Lake Road as it curves west
7. In 3.9 mi turn left onto Reno Rd
8. In .5mi turn right onto Ernst Rd
9. Launch site is .25 mi on the left
From the West
1. On I94 West take exit 159 for M-52 S toward Manchester
2. Turn left onto M-52 S/Chelsea Manchester Rd. Continue to follow M-52 South
3. In 7.2 mi, turn left onto Pleasant Lake Rd
4. In 3.8 mi, turn right onto Reno Rd
5. In .5mi turn right onto Ernst Rd
6. Launch site is .25 mi on the left
From M52 South
1. Follow M-52 N
2. Turn right onto E Austin Rd
3. In 3.2 mi, turn left onto Ernst Rd
4. In 3.6 mi, the launch site is on the right
GPS Coordinates (decimal degrees):
42.1999
-83.9669
Horning 2:
Horning 2 is about 2.5 miles from the Horning 1 field.
To get there, just continue south on Ernst Rd. for another 1.5miles from Horning's 1.
Turn left onto Bethel Church Rd.
Drive 0.9 miles eastbound on Bethel Church Rd. to the launch field on the right. Take the two-track into the field. Parking and range will be dependent on wind direction.
GPS Coordinates (decimal degrees):
42.1802
-83.9498
Horning 3:
Horning 3 is adjacent to the Horning 1 field to the North.
The range and parking are usually near the corner of Heiber and Ernst Roads. Follow the signs on Heiber to the parking area. If the North end of the field is in use due to wind direction, then access the field at 5170 Reno Rd. Follow the edge of the field West to the parking area.
GPS Coordinates (decimal degrees):
42.2029
-83.9678
Google Maps to Horning #3
