USMRSC (Pink Book) 2017 - Light for New Competitors:
Rules That Directly Affect the Competitor and Apply to All Entries
(NOTE: In this condensed version of the Pink Book, I’ve eliminated the rules that apply to the contest director for running NAR National Rocketry Competition (NRC) contests and the event rules, including NARAM specific rules. What is left is the info you need to know about NAR competition in general in order to avoid confusion and dissatisfaction at a NAR sanctioned contest. For best results, you should read and understand the entire United States Model Rocket Sporting Code.)
The United States Model Rocket Sporting Code (USMRSC) or Sporting Code, provides a standard set of rules by which NAR members may compete with one another on the basis of skill, ability, and expertise. The NAR Contest and Records Committee (the Contest Board) through its national chairman and regional representatives manage and administer the Sporting Code.
NAR members who wish to compete are encouraged to contact an individual or local NAR section that sponsors sanctioned rocketry competition. NAR members needing help locating or contacting an NAR section in their area can obtain assistance consulting the NAR section list - http://www.nar.org/find-a-local-club/ or by emailing NAR Headquarters - http://www.nar.org/about-nar/organization-contacts/.
Changes to the Sporting Code may be made by the Board of Trustees, the Contest Board, or the Rule Change Process (RCP) which is managed by the Rules Revisions Subcommittee. At a minimum, the Contest Board shall publish all changes to the Sporting Code on NAR.org, along with the date on which they take effect.
Members who would like to serve as Regional Contest Chairs or serve on the Rules Revisions Subcommittee should contact the National Contest Board Chairman.
Because the Sporting Code cannot address all the outcomes of competition, disputes and protests regarding the rules are inevitable. Whenever possible, competitors should exercise common sense, fair play, and sportsmanship in an attempt to reach a solution.
To support the continued advancement of model rocketry, the National Association of Rocketry supports competition as an activity that emphasizes sportsmanship and patience; construction and flying skills; safety and education, and creativity and innovation.
This edition of the Sporting Code replaces all previous versions and is effective July 1, 2017.
A Glossary containing the official definitions of words and acronyms used in the Sporting Code is provided in Appendix A – Glossary.
A model rocket is an aero-model that is propelled into the air by means of a model rocket motor; without the use of aerodynamic lifting forces overcoming gravity; that includes a device for returning it safely to the ground in a reusable condition; and that contains no parts likely to create a hazard. Model rocket motors and recovery system protectors or wadding, if present, do not constitute portions of a model rocket.
A model rocket motor is a reaction motor produced by a commercial manufacturer using pre-loaded combustible solid propellant as fuel or a rocket motor designed to be reloaded with commercially manufactured combustible solid propellant grains or modules.
Section and subsection headings are to aid in referencing, and the communication regarding, rules in the Sporting Code. Their inclusion or omission is not considered a part of these rules.
When scoring must be rounded, the following schedule shall be followed:
§ < 0.5 is rounded down
§ => 0.5 is rounded up
2.1 Scope
The United States Model Rocket Sporting Code shall govern the design, construction, and operation of all model rockets and model rocket motors used in conjunction with:
§ All competition sanctioned by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), and
§ All attempts to establish or surpass United States Model Rocket Performance Records.
2.1.1 Non-Sanctioned Competition
The United States Model Rocket Sporting Code may be used as a guide for supporting non-sanctioned competition activities of individuals and sections.
§ The event rules contained herein may be used as is or tailored to meet the needs of the group competing.
§ To facilitate points scoring for determining event, competition division and meet awards, the points award schedule described in Rule 13.2.4 – NARAM may be used.
§ The provision to tailor the rules is not authorization to affect a change that would result in unsafe operation of a model rocket, model rocket motors or the launch range.
The Model Rocketry Safety Code of the NAR shall be the general safety criteria to be followed in the interpretation and administration of this United States Model Rocket Sporting Code. This Safety Code shall not be overridden by the Sporting Code. Any changes to the Safety Code applies immediately to the Sporting Code.
The United States Model Rocket Sporting Code shall not be construed to amend or otherwise serve as a substitute for the Sporting Code of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) for the purposes of establishing or surpassing world model rocket performance records. Competitors who wish to attempt such records should obtain a copy of the current FAI Sporting Code.
A model rocket must comply with all specifications in this section and the Model Rocket Safety Code before, during, and after flight.
The gross launching mass of a model rocket, including model rocket motor or motors, must in not exceed 1,500 grams.
No more than a total of 125 grams of solid propellant materials may be contained in its model rocket motor(s) at the moment of launch.
There must be no more than three consecutively fired stages. The staged configuration of the model is considered to be the state of the model at the instant of first motion on the launcher.
A model rocket must be so constructed as to be capable of more than a single flight; and must be provided with a means for retarding its descent to the ground so that its structure may not be substantially damaged, and so that no hazard is created to persons and property. If a model descends in more than one unattached part, each part must conform to the above specification.
Construction of the airframe must be of wood, paper, rubber, plastic, or other similar materials consistent with the Model Rocket Safety Code.
Design and construction must include suitable means for providing stabilizing and restoring forces necessary to maintain a substantially true and predictable flight path. If required by safety officers or judges, the builder of the model must present data demonstrating that their model meets this requirement.
A model rocket possessing an autonomous ignition system (e.g., for initiation of any energetic function) must be provided with a safety switch or other device capable of preventing actuation of the system until immediately prior to the launch.
A model rocket equipped with a dethermalizer or other device designed to operate via combustion (e.g., a cotton fuse or wick) must be designed so that ignition of the device presents no imminent hazard to the person igniting the device. In addition, the model rocket must be designed so that the device is extinguished as soon as possible after performing its function (e.g., by inclusion of a snuffer tube).
4.1 Definition
Model Rocket motors must meet the requirements of the NAR Standards and Testing Committee and NFPA 1122.
A single solid propellant model rocket motor must not contain more than 125 grams of propellant, and must not produce any more than 160.00 Newton-seconds of total impulse.
All motors used in a model rocket in NAR sanctioned competition, or for the purpose of establishing a United States Model Rocket Performance Record, must be listed in the NAR Certified/Combined Motor List found on NAR.org as holding NAR Contest Approval.
A model rocket motor must not be altered in any manner that changes its dimensions and/or its performance characteristics. No material may be permanently affixed to the motor.
A model rocket motor is assigned a motor classification based on its mean sea level total impulse when tested at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. A motor becomes NAR certified when its test data is accepted by the NAR Standards and Testing Committee. NAR certified model rocket motor classifications are as follows:
|
Motor Class |
Total Impulse (N-sec) |
|
1/8A |
0.00 – 0.3125 |
|
1/4A |
0.3126 – 0.625 |
|
1/2A |
0.626 – 1.25 |
|
A |
1.26 – 2.50 |
|
B |
2.51 – 5.00 |
|
C |
5.01 – 10.00 |
|
D |
10.01 – 20.00 |
|
E |
20.01 – 40.00 |
|
F |
40.01 – 80.00 |
|
G |
80.01 – 160.00 |
Note: All motor classes listed above will be recognized for certification purposes regardless of current commercial availability.
The total impulse values published in the NAR Certified/Combined Motor List found on NAR.org will be the values used in all NAR sanctioned competition and for United States Model Rocket Performance Record attempts.
When multiple motors are used in a single entry (e.g., clustering and staging), the total impulses of the individual motors must be summed to compute the total impulse of the configuration and to determine the impulse class of an event for which the entry qualifies. Only those motors actually intended to ignite and produce useful thrust are to be included in this total.
Only model rocket motors that are currently and readily available commercially, and meet the requirements of Rule 4.1 – Definitions, through Rule 4.3 – Contest Approval, and Rule 4.5 – Classification, through 4.7 – Total Impulse, shall be accepted for NAR contest approval.
NAR sanctioned competition allows the use of all contest approved motors for which the total impulse of the motor is appropriate for the event and in compliance with state and local laws. Booster stage, single stage, and upper stage motors may be used in locations other than their primary intended stage.
A launching device or mechanism must be used that restricts the entry in its pitch axis until sufficient flight velocity is attained for safe, predictable flight. Recommended launching devices are a steel launch rod, tower, rail, or piston.
No entry may be launched with its aft most part more than 3 meters above the ground.
A launching device must not impart to the entry any velocity or change of momentum except that caused by the model rocket motor(s) contained in the entry.
8.1 Entering Competition
All competitors entering model rockets and competing in NAR sanctioned competition must be members of the NAR in good standing. The Contest Director or his/her designee may ask competitors for verification of their NAR Sporting License. Newly joined NAR members who have not yet received their NAR Sporting License and wish to compete in sanctioned competition shall be recorded as pending.
The Contest Director may disqualify any competitor from an event or from the entire meet on the grounds of failure to practice or observe reasonable safety measures, published or otherwise; for poor sportsmanship; for failure to abide by the orders of the Range Safety Officer or contest officials; whose ability to safely fly model rockets is, in the opinion of the Contest Director or Range Safety Officer, impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The Competition Divisions are as given in the following schedule:
|
A Division |
Individuals and Teams, ages 0 – 14 |
|
B Division |
Individuals and Teams, ages 15 – 22 |
|
C Division |
Individuals ages 23 years old and older |
|
D Division |
Teams ages 23 years old and older |
The division in which an NAR member will compete during a Contest Year is determined by the member’s age/status as of the start of the Contest Year.
NAR members may compete individually and/or as a member of a team in accordance with Rule 8.4.1.
Teams must compete in the division of the oldest member.
Two or more NAR members may enter competition as a team. Teams must be registered with the NAR Contest Board. Membership of a team cannot be changed during the Contest Year. Such a change must be registered as a different team. Team entries shall be prepared for flight by one or more members of the team, except if they are to be proxy-flown under the provisions of Rule 8.5 – Proxy. Entry blanks must contain the name and the number of the team. Any records established are credited to the team.
No NAR member may enter a sanctioned launch as both an individual and as a team member. No NAR member may enter a sanctioned launch as a member of more than one team. Neither of these restrictions applies at a Record Trial.
A competitor entered in sanctioned competition may have an entry proxy-flown by an NAR member of the same or younger competition division.
Proxy flights are NOT allowed when flying:
§ Radio controlled models
§ Spot Landing events
Proxy flights are NOT allowed when flying for:
§ Event Specialist Awards
§ National Championship Awards
§ United States Model Rocket Performance Records
Competitors having official duties at the contest may have entries proxy-flown for them.
9.1 Total Impulse Limit
No entry in sanctioned competition may be powered by a motor or combination of motors exceeding 125 grams of total propellant. The maximum total impulse, in accordance with the Model Rocket Safety Code, must not exceed 320.00 Newton-seconds.
Unless allowed by the rules of a specific event, if a motor is ejected at a sanctioned competition and if that motor does not have a streamer or parachute attached, the flight is disqualified.
During the powered phase of flight, spinning of the entry is permitted only around the roll axis. Entries that spin or loop around the pitch axis or yaw axis under power must be disqualified.
Each entry must carry, legibly displayed upon its exterior surface as the entry appears in flight readiness, the competitor’s name or NAR license number. In the case of a team entry, the entry must carry the team name or team number.
Each entry must pass a safety inspection given by the Safety Check Officer (SCO) before each flight to ascertain that it will be safe in its operation and meet the standards of the Sporting Code. This inspection may include any launching device and auxiliary equipment provided by the competitor to assist the launch.
The flight card shall contain the make and complete designation of the motor on the competitor’s flight card. (e.g. AeroTech G40-10W)
At least two official entries in an event shall be inspected and passed by the Safety Check Officer. An entry must attempt to make an official flight before points can be awarded in the event.
The above shall also apply where an event is flown in competition divisions; i.e., two entries for each division. If an event must be flown where competition divisions have been combined because of insufficient entries, competitors entered in adjacent divisions may have their flight records combined.
Unless disallowed by the rules for a specific event, substitution of entries between official flights in an event is allowed. When the rules for a specific event disallow substitution between official flights, only recovery devices and lost or damaged parts necessary to make the entry flight worthy may be changed or replaced for subsequent flights. In these circumstances, a replacement for a lost or damaged part must be similar to the part that it replaces.
Two or more competition events may not be flown simultaneously by the same entry on the same flight.
Models not requiring construction are permitted in competition. However, for entries that require construction, the competitor must ensure that he/she has completely constructed the model rocket(s) he/she is using in competition. Materials and designs may be obtained from any source, including kits.
To ensure adherence to the Sporting Code, the Contest Director and/or RSO have the authority to require that any entry having made an official flight shall be returned and impounded for a reasonable length of time for inspection. The impounding of an entry must be requested during or immediately after the flight in question. If the entry or the part requested for impound cannot be returned to the officials within a reasonable time, the entry may be disqualified.
Radio control safety is the responsibility of the competitor. Frequency control regulations must be obeyed if implemented at the flying site. Radio control of an entry is not considered human intervention with regard to catching or cushioning of any model required to land naturally. Unless otherwise specified by the rules of that event, any entry may be radio controlled. The Contest Director can prohibit the use of Radio Control at NARAM in any event or for the entire meet and this restriction shall be stated in all associated printed material and electronic postings. Entries that are to be radio controlled must be controlled or guided by the builder or a builder of the entry.
Except for rocket glider, entries flown in the FAI class of an event, must comply with the following construction requirements of the FAI Sporting Code, Section 4, Volume SM – Space Models for that event.
The minimum length of the enclosed airframe of the entry must be 500 millimeters and at least 50 percent of this airframe length must have a minimum diameter of 40 millimeters in the launch configuration.
In events where multi-staging is allowed, the booster stage must deploy a recovery device; the upper stage must be at least 18 millimeters in diameter over at least 75 percent of its length, and any upper stage boat tails must be at least 18 millimeters in diameter.
10.1 Official Flight Requirements
A flight is official if any part of the entry leaves the launcher under a motor’s thrust phase; except in the case of a catastrophic failure according to the provisions of Rule 11.5 – Catastrophic Failure. All entries that do not leave the launcher subsequent to motor ignition must not be considered as having made an official flight unless they are disqualified by the RSO for safety reasons. If the power pod or motor of a Boost Glider entry disengages and proceeds into the air under power without the glider portion, the attempt must be considered a disqualified official flight. An entry that does not ignite enough motors to be in the proper total impulse class as per Rule 4.6 – Published Values, must not be considered as having made an official flight unless its flight is disqualified for other reasons.
Unless otherwise specified in the rules for a specific event, time and weather permitting each competitor shall be given an opportunity to make two official flights in each event per sanctioned NRC launch. A limitation shall not apply at Record Trials. Unless otherwise specified in the rules for a duration event, a competitor’s official score is the sum of the durations achieved on all official flights.
When deciding on the number of flights that competitors are allowed in an event, the Contest Director shall carefully consider whether time and/or weather may require limitations on the event(s). The Contest Director must make every effort to announce how many flights will be allowed in the event(s) before the start of official flights.
However, if circumstances arise where it is necessary to enact a limitation after official flights have been made, all competitors must adhere to the new limits regardless of how many official flights they may have made.
If limitations have been placed on one or more events, the Contest Director must select only those qualified flights a competitor made under the new limitation. The Contest Director must then choose the competitor’s best single qualified flight as his/her official flight in that event.
For example, if a Parachute Duration event must unexpectedly be limited to one flight per competitor, and a competitor has already made two flights, in order for the Contest Director to score the event, he/she must first select only the flights that the competitor(s) returned (since in a single-flight Parachute Duration event, the one flight must be returned.) If one or more competitor has returned two flights, the Contest Director must select the better of the two competitor’s flights as his/her official flight for scoring purposes.
10.4 Return of Inaccessible Models
When a competitor cannot make a required return of his/her entry from an inaccessible place where recovery would pose a personal hazard to the competitors, but can point it out to an official, the official may score the entry as having been returned. The Contest Director must state prior to the start of competition what distance limits officials may travel. This rule may be superseded by the rules of a specific event.
When the rules for a specific event require a return of the entry, it is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure that the officials have noted on their flight card that the entry has been returned.
11.1 Scope
Due to flight characteristics, an entry may be disqualified for a specific flight, however, it is not necessarily disqualified for the entire event.
Any entry that in the opinion of the Range Safety Officer was not considered safe in operation may be disqualified. In no case, may any official override a safety ruling of the RSO.
The Range Safety Officer and/or contest officials may disqualify any entry that does not comply with the Sporting Code.
In the event of a disqualification, a flight shall be scored as zero (0) in the case of events where an entry’s total score is the result of the sum of the performance of two or more flights. This rule may be superseded by the rules of a specific event. A disqualified flight may not be considered as a return in any event where a return is required.
A model rocket experiencing a catastrophic failure (CATO) shall not be disqualified. The flight may or may not be considered an official flight if the Range Safety Officer rules the entry performed a safe and stable flight and complied with the competition rules (e.g., a glider glided).
The competitor will in this situation have the option of having such a flight ruled as either official or unofficial. If the entry did not meet these requirements, then it must be ruled an unofficial flight.
The competitor must inform the applicable contest official of his/her decision to accept or reject the flight as an official flight prior to any subsequent flight by the competitor in that event. The competitor must be permitted to substitute another entry. In the case of craftsmanship events; the substitute must be of the same prototype and scale as the original, and it is not required to exhibit the craftsmanship and detail of the original.
An entry that has been disqualified shall have its performance data recorded even though the flight may not at that time be considered official. In the event an entry’s disqualification is reversed, the entry’s performance data shall be considered official.
Disqualifications for static conditions of an entry are not permitted and the competitor shall correct the condition prior to the official flight. If the contest officials do not discover a condition until during or after the flight is made, such as flying with the wrong motor type, the flight will not be considered official.
12.1 National Rocketry Competition (NRC) Disputes
In the event of a dispute at an NRC sanctioned launch, the competitor shall inform his/her Regional Contest Board Chairman of the dispute for resolution. The Regional Contest Board Chairman must render a decision within three (3) days.
14.1 Eligibility
Performance records may be set at any sanctioned launch, in any event and motor class, unless judging is required, or a limited score is the goal. For example, performance records may be set in Altitude or Parachute Duration, but not in Scale Altitude, Spot Landing, or Precision Payload. Proxy entries are not eligible for performance records per Rule 8.5 – Proxy.
Performance records must be awarded separately for each competition division. Within each competition division, separate performance records must be awarded for:
All entries that are not radio-controlled or use altimeter for altitude measurement.
Entries using radio control to provide active guidance per Rule 9.11 -Radio Control.
Entries using an altimeter for altitude measurement per Rule 20.2 – Electronic Altimeters.
The entry must be returned to ensure compliance with all rules for the event. Rule 10.4 – Return of Inaccessible Models does not apply.
Attempts to surpass an existing performance record must exceed the current value by at least 1%.
The Contest Director must review all flight results to determine if any new performance records were set. If so, the flight card and competitor entry form must be sent to the NAR Records Subcommittee for review. Individual competitors may also submit copies of their flight card(s) and entry form, provided the Contest Director signs the forms.
The submitted data must include the following items:
§ Competitor’s name
§ Division
§ Event and motor class
§ Date
§ New record value
§ Altimeter make and model (if used)
§ Altimeter data file
§ Motor manufacturer and designation
The NAR Records Subcommittee may request any additional substantiating data it deems necessary to certify a new record. The NAR Records Subcommittee has the right to disallow any record claim, regardless of the data submitted, if the record attempt is found to have been made unfairly or falsely reported.
20.2 Electronic Altimeters
Only commercially available altimeters approved by the NAR Contest Board and publicly announced as approved at least 30 days before any contest where they are used may be used in competition. These altimeters may not be altered or modified in any manner, including use of power sources that are outside the voltage range published by the altimeter manufacturer. To be approved by the Contest Board an altimeter must meet the following requirements:
§ Uses barometric measurement techniques to record flight apogee altitude above launch pad altitude based on the formula for conversion of pressure to altitude in the International Civil Aviation Organization or US Standard Atmospheres.
§ Uses a digital integrated pressure sensor with at least 16 bits of resolution in its digital conversion of pressure measurement.
§ Recalculates launch pad pressure altitude by sampling local pressure at least once per minute after activation and before launch.
§ Has resolution of 1 meter or better in readout.
§ Has accuracy of 1 percent of recorded altitude or 2 meters, whichever is greater, across an operating range of no less than 4000 meters in flight altitude above sea level, 0 to 50 degrees Celsius in launch site temperature, and 750 to 1050 millibars in launch site ambient pressure.
§ Has a sampling rate of 10 per second or greater.
§ Employs processing functions to reject false short-duration launch or apogee altitude transients that may be created by wind gusts or the pressure transients of ejection events.
§ Provides a readout of apogee from the most recent flight.
§ Is capable of being placed in a preflight state of readiness to record new flight data and report this new data post-flight. This state must be audibly or visibly verifiable.
The altimeter must be fully enclosed within the rocket body through apogee. Any attempt to deliberately produce excessively high altitude readings, by use of devices such as venturis is prohibited.
20.2.1 Approved Altimeter List
The Contest Board approves altimeters for use in NAR competition. Approved altimeters are listed in Appendix E – Altimeters Approved for Contest Use.
A flight-ready entry with its altimeter removed must be presented to the official for inspection. The altimeter will be checked to verify it is an NAR approved altimeter, appears unaltered, and is properly powered. The safety check officer may request the “owner’s manual” for the altimeter if any questions arise concerning its operation or post flight readout. The model of the altimeter will be noted on the competitor’s flight card.
20.2.4 Returns Procedure
The altimeter must be returned for data verification. The Returns official and competitor should agree on the altimeter raw data. If the Returns official and the competitor cannot agree of the raw data, an additional official shall be called upon to resolve the disputed data. The altimeter’s raw data shall be recorded on the flight card. Any other specific event rules may also apply.
If the altimeter cannot be returned, and the entry is not disqualified for any other safety or event rule violation, then that flight can be considered “No Data” per Rule 20.3.3 – Untracked Flights.
If the altimeter fails to report an altitude, and the flight has not been disqualified for any safety or event rule reason, then that flight can be considered “No Data” per Rule 20.3.3 – Untracked Flights.
20.2.5 Performance Records with Altimeters
Altitude records may only be set using a recording altimeter. After the flight, if a record is suspected the altimeter data will be downloaded by the competitor and reviewed by a contest official. If the data reveals that the peak altitude is attributable to an ejection event or other flight anomaly, that peak or anomaly will not be used to determine the recorded altitude. The maximum altitude excluding the anomalous peaks will be reported.
If the maximum altitude occurs more than five seconds after the ejection event (due to thermals or other anomaly), only the peak altitude prior to ejection (excluding sudden peaks or anomalies as described above) will be reported.
If the altimeter data is, in the opinion of the contest official, significantly inconsistent with the observed flight, the altimeter data will be disallowed. The decision by the contest official on the interpretation of the altimeter data is final.
30.2 Conflict of Interest
A timer must not time his/her own entry.
30.4 Timed Interval
All entries must be timed from the instant of first motion on the launcher until the entry or portion to be scored for time of flight touches the ground or is stopped by a ground-based object. If the entry drifts out of sight in the sky, each timer(s) must stop their watches individually when they lose sight of the entry. As specified in Rule 1.2 – Model Rocket, motors, recovery system protectors, and wadding are not to be timed.
30.5 Separation
Unless specifically allowed by the rules of that event, no timed entry may separate into two or more unattached parts, or eject its motor.
30.9 Return
Unless otherwise specified by the rules of the event or for reason of safety per Rule 9.10 – Impound, the competitor need not return an entry to a contest official.
allowed by the rules of that event, no timed entry may separate into two or more unattached parts, or eject its motor.