TCC NAR Competition Primer: USMRSC Rule 34, Egg Lofting Duration (ELD)

USMRSC Rule 34: Egg Lofting Duration Competition (ELD)

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This primer presents, in one place, all the information you need to succeed in NAR model rocket competition in this event.

TCC has provided a link to the official rules whenever we discuss a rule.

All Entries

Your entry must:

* Comply with the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code: http://www.nar.org/NARmrsc.html USMRSC 2.2

* Be a model rocket as described by the United States Model Rocket Sporting Code. USMRSC 3.1-3.9

* Use NAR Contest Approved motors: http://www.nar.org/SandT/pdf/CombinedMotorsByImpulse.pdf USMRSC 4.1, 4.4

* NOT eject its motor casing(s) without a recovery system. USMRSC 9.2

* Have your NAR number or your name on the outside, large and clear enough that the contest officials can easily read it. Teams must use the Team number or name. USMRSC 9.4

* Have been constructed by yourself or by one or more members of your Team. You may not enter Ready-To-Fly rockets (no construction required) in NAR sanctioned competition. USMRSC 9.9

Know the rules

Your having a grasp of the bigger picture can increase your enjoyment of NAR competition. You can read the Pink Book Lite to see only the rules for competitors, not for Contest Directors or other contest officials. Read the full USMRSC (Pink Book) to see all the rules.

* Pink Book Lite: https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/USMRSCLight.html

* Full USMRSC: http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/

General Competition Tips:

TCC NAR Competition 101

TCC NAR Competition Strategy and Tactics

Contest Etiquette by Kevin Paul Wickart, NAR 59720, cr 1998, the author

Beginning Competition -- The RSVP Principle by Kevin Paul Wickart, NAR 59720, cr 1998, the author

Guide to NAR Contest Rocketry Information for Beginners by Jeff Vincent, NAR 27910, Northeast Regional Contest Chair

Which are the Main USMRSC Rules for This Event?

* The main rules are 9, 15, and 34.

http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/9_Entries.html

http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/15_Timing_Data.html

http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/34_ELD.html

What is the Goal?

The goal of this competition is to achieve the longest flight duration while carrying a Grade A Large hen’s egg and return the egg unbroken. USMRSC 34.1

Are There Any Special Considerations?

* The model may not separate into two or more parts or eject the motor(s). USMRSC 15.2

* Recovery wadding does not count as a part of the model. USMRSC 1.1

* No one may catch the model as it descends. It must be allowed to strike the ground. USMRSC 16.7

* After the flight, you must present the model, unopened, to the contest officials and only remove the egg in the presence of the contest officials. USMRSC 34.3

* The Contest Officials will provide the egg. USMRSC 34.2

* The egg will weigh between 57 and 63 grams and not be more than 45 millimeters in diameter. USMRSC 34.1

* Nothing (tape, glue, etc) can be affixed to the egg. USMRSC 34.1

* Your entry must be single stage, but can be clustered. USMRSC 34.1

* If your entry is clustered, the sum of the total impulse of the motors you use cannot be more than the total impulse limit for the event class you are flying. USMRSC 4.6, 4.8, 34.4

* If your entry is clustered, enough motors must ignite to meet the impulse limits for the event class you are flying. USMRSC 4.6, 4.8, 34.4

* does not apply.

Do I Have to Return the Model to Place?

You must return your entry to receive any points in Egg Lofting Duration. USMRSC 34.3

USMRSC 10.4 does not apply.

How Many Flights Can I Make?

* You can make up to two flights. USMRSC 10.1

* You can use more than one model. USMRSC 9.7

How is the Competition Scored?

* Your official score is the best single duration achieved by your entry on up to two official flights. USMRSC 10.1

What Will Disqualify My Entry?

Your entry will be disqualified if:

* The egg is broken. USMRSC 34.3

* You cannot return the model or you open the model without a contest official present. USMRSC 34.3

* It separates into two or more parts or ejects the motor(s). USMRSC 15.2

* If it is unsafe in operation. USMRSC 11.1, 11.2

How About Some Suggestions for New Competitors?

Egg Lofting Duration is different from Parachute Duration in that you have to have a model designed to safely hold an egg. You may find on your local hobby store shelves:

Estes Eggscaliber http://www.estesrockets.com/rockets.php?pid=002123

Quest Courier http://www.questaerospace.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=1510&eq=&Tp=

Custom Elite http://www.redarrowhobbies.com/kits/custom_model_rockets/elite.htm

Some of the vendors on the TCC Competition Vendor list offer egg capsules and/or advanced egg lofting kits.

https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/competitionrocketvendors.html

Hen’s eggs are more durable than most folks think they are as long as they are vertical. You don’t need thick padding. I use the foam filter for a room air conditioner. I use two or three layers on the top and bottom and one layer around the egg if it fits in the capsule. The trick is to keep the egg from hitting on the side. After all, that’s how you break one for breakfast, isn’t it? Any of the capsules from the kits and/or vendors above, with a little padding, will adequately protect your egg.

Your recovery system must deploy if you are to get the best possible duration. The Custom Elite is at a disadvantage because its 3/4in diameter will not hold a large parachute. This disadvantage is partially offset by its low weight. The Elite can be competitive in B Egg Lofting Duration because it will go higher than the Courier or the Eggscaliber. The Quest Courier is better for C and D Egg Lofting. Use the largest parachute that you can pack into your rocket and still have reliable deployment. Lightly dust the parachute on both sides with talcum powder before you fold and pack it (https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/BobKaplowNAR18LCompParachute.pdf).

What Next and What Else?

Good info on building/selecting and packing competition parachutes:

https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/BobKaplowNAR18LCompParachute.pdf

http://www.asp-rocketry.com/uploads/files/SelectingParachutesforEgg.doc

Piston Launching for Egg Lofters – the Hot Ticket!

http://web.archive.org/web/20070320004437/members.aol.com/petealway/piston.htm

NAR Competition Plans

http://www.nar.org/competition/plans/eggloft.html

TCC NAR Competition Bibliography

https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/TCCNARCompArticleBib.html

Yahoo group for discussing model rocket competition

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/contestRoc/messages