TCC Competition Primer: USMRSC 38, Flex-Wing Boost Glider Duration Competition (BG)

TCC NAR Competition Primer: USMRSC Rule 38, Flex-Wing Boost Glider Duration Competition (FW)

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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/NARenglist.shtml 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 36.

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

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

http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/38_FW.html

* This event can be flown as Multi-Round.

What is the Goal?

* In Flex-Wing Boost Glider Duration Competition you want to achieve the longest possible flight duration for a model rocket, one portion of which returns to the ground in stable, gliding flight, supported by flexible aerodynamic lifting surfaces. Only the gliding portion is timed. USMRSC 38.1

Are There Any Special Considerations?

* The gliding surfaces (wings) must be made of flexible materials. The wings can have edges that form the flexible material, but wing surface must remain flexible. USMRSC 36.1

* If your entry is staged, the gliding portion must be part of the uppermost stage, and must not be deployed until that stage has burned out. USMRSC 4.6, 4.8, 10.3 and38.1

* If your entry is clustered or staged, enough motors must ignite for it to meet the impulse class requirements or the flight will not be official. USMRSC 4.6, 4.8, 10.3 and38.1

* Your entry may separate into multiple parts, but non-gliding portions must descend safely. USMRSC 38.1, 9.2 and NAR Model Rocket Safety Code

* FW is divided into classes based on the allowed total impulse of the motor(s). USMRSC 38.3

* This event can be flown as Multi-Round.

Do I Have to Return My Entry?

* You must return the GLIDING portion of your entry after at least one qualified flight in order to place in 1^st-4^th. USMRSC 15.10, 13.1

* If you cannot return the GLIDING portion of your entry after at least one qualified flight, you’ll only get Flight Points. USMRSC 13.1, 13.4, 13.5

* You have to return ONLY the GLIDING portion of your entry. USMRSC 38.1

* The Contest Director can require that you return your entry. USMRSC 9.10

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 sum of the durations achieved by your entry on up to two official flights. USMRSC 10.1, 10.3

* The duration starts at the first motion on the launch pad and ends when the gliding portion lands or the timer loses sight it. USMRSC 15.6

What Will Disqualify My Entry?

* Your entry will be disqualified if the gliding portion has a permanently attached streamer or parachute. USMRSC 38.1

* Your entry will be disqualified if, in the opinion of the contest officials, the glider fails to glide. USMRSC 11.1

How About Some Suggestions for New Competitors?

Good info for flexie flyers. The Jan-Feb 98 issue of StarDust, ASTRE #471, is used by permission.

https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/38FWsd1998-0102.pdf

You will not find kits hobby stores. QCR has flexie kits. See the vendor list below.

TCC Competition Vendor list:

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

Don’t paint your glider. Paint adds too much weight. Use colored permanent markers, with black on the bottom.

Follow the instructions in your kit for trimming your glider.

What Else & What Next?

Online Competition Rocket Plans:

NAR Competition Plans http://www.nar.org/competition/plans/flexwing.html

Competition Model Rockets (Howard Kuhn) Plans http://www.oldrocketplans.com/cmr/cmrPW-11/pw11.pdf