Teen hopes other Scouts will use launch pad to earn merit badges
By Jennifer Eberbach
Livingston Daily Press & Argus
HAMBURG TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A Hartland High School student has created a place for rocket enthusiasts to reach for the stars.
"My main objective was to give (people) a safe area to launch their model rockets," Eagle Scout candidate Jack Parzuchowski, a Hartland High School senior and member of Boy Scout Troop 381, told the Livingston Daily Press & Argus ( http://bit.ly/1G7yjIq ).
For his final Eagle Scout project, Parzuchowski designed and built a concrete launch pad near the small airfield where the Hamburg Flyers Radio Control Club meets to fly model airplanes at Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park in Hamburg Township.
The township-owned park "had an old issue where people would launch their own rockets in the soccer fields or baseball fields," he said.
"Now technically, anything that goes up in the air should be launched back by us (Hamburg Flyers Radio Control Club)," said Parzuchowski, who is a member of the model-airplane flying club.
One major rule: You must do it when a member of the Hamburg Flyers is there.
He said to set up a time to launch a rocket, contact Hamburg Flyers through its website, http://hamburgflyers.org, and someone will respond.
"It is supposed to be monitored by the club for safety and insurance, even though it's on township-owned land," Parzuchowski said.
There are other rules for using the launch pad, which will be posted.
Parzuchowski entertained other ideas for his Eagle Scout project, like putting up a flagpole, but then he heard that Hamburg Township officials had discussed creating a designated area for model rockets.
He wanted to be the one to make it happen.
Boy Scouts can earn a merit badge for "building a rocket and actually launching it," he said.
"I hope Scouts will go there to do their merit badges. There are not (many other) places you can do it safely," he said.
He said people could fly model helicopters there, too.
Several members of Hamburg Flyers Radio Control Club already launch them from their small airfield.
"It could bring in new (club) members and that would really help us reach out to have more volunteers," Parzuchowski said.
He was proud of his Eagle Scout project, which he coordinated from start to finish.
"I first drew up the plan way back in February, started designing it all and then I got some redesigns on it," and Hamburg Flyers President Eugene Doncea did some modifications before it giving it his stamp of approval, Parzuchowski said.
He also learned about the local political process. He presented the idea to township officials at public meetings, answered questions and made some modifications.
He also had help from fellow Scouts and others, who came out to the park to help him pour concrete and install safety fencing.
He wanted to thank all the people who helped him fundraise $700 for materials.
Looking to his future, the high school senior wants "to go into aviation," maybe heading to either Eastern Michigan University of Northwestern Community College in Traverse City for college.
"I want to be an airline pilot," he said.
"I've flown in several single-engine Cessna (airplanes) and done ground school for a private pilot's license, but no flight hours yet," the aspiring pilot said.
Before Parzuchowski officially becomes a full-fledged Eagle Scout - he is a candidate for the honor - his final project will go before different boards for reviews. He also has a few merit badges left to do.
He said he expects the launch pad "to benefit the community and the township" as a new recreational option that also promotes safety, he said.
Published: Wed, Oct 07, 2015
