TCC Competition Primer: USMRSC Rule P57, Classic Model (CM)

TCC Competition Primer: USMRSC Rule 57, Classic Model Competition (CM)

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This primer presents, in one place, all the information you need to succeed in NAR model rocket Classic Model (CM) competition.

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, 16 and 56.

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

http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/16_Judging.html

http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/P57_CM.html

Does TCC Have Supporting Documents?

TCC has created a CM Judging Form and instructions. Since CM is based on Sport Scale, TCC includes documentation for judging and winning Sport Scale by Peter Alway and John Pursley.

https://ojames3.tripod.com/tccnarcontesttips/p57tccjudgingformpack.pdf

What is the Goal?

* CM is a variation of Sport Scale. USMRSC 53, http://www.nar.org/pinkbook/53_SPSC.html

* You want produce a flying replica of a model rocket kit that was available (for sale) prior to 1990 (1989 or earlier. USMRSC P57.1

Does it Qualify for CSC?

* The model you choose to replicate: USMRSC P57.1

1. Must represent a version of a flying model rocket kit that was offered for sale by a model rocket kit manufacturer in the year 1989 and earlier.

2. Must NOT be eligible for competition in Scale (USMRSC 50), Sport Scale (USMRSC 53), Concept Scale (USMRSC 56), or Plastic Model Conversion Competition (USMRSC 55).

Are There Any Special Considerations?

* Substantiation data is different from that required by Sport Scale. USMRSC P57.3 You must substantiate (prove) that your entry was available for sale in kit form in prior to 1990 (in 1989 or earlier) and that you have reproduced, to scale, the shape, color and paint pattern depicted by the manufacturer. USMRSC P57.1, USMRSC P57.3

1. Your substantiation data can come from one or more of these sources:
Catalog: TCC suggests an original catalog or a reproduction from a verifiable source such as Ninfinger (http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/rockets.html).
Package insert: TCC suggests original only, not a reproduction or reissue.
Original kit instruction: TCC suggests original or reproduction from a verifiable source such as Jim Z (http://www.spacemodeling.org/JimZ/index.htm).

2. Without this data, contest officials will not accept your entry.

* No one can catch the model. If anybody catches the model as it descends instead of letting it hit the ground, the judges may award maximum damage points as a penalty. USMRSC 16.7

Do I Have to Return My Entry?

* You must return your entry to the judges so they can award damage points. USMRSC 16.8, 55.6.2, TCC CM Judging Form Pack

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

How Many Flights Can I Make?

* You can make two flights, but the judges will use only the best flight for scoring. USMRSC 10.1, TCC CM Judging Form Pack

How is the Competition Scored?

As in Sport Scale, there are two sections for scoring: USMRSC P57.4 - P57.8, TCC CM Judging Form Pack

* In static scoring, the judges award points for craftsmanship and appearance, taking into consideration the difficulty of converting the model to fly.

* In flight scoring, the judges award points for conducting a ‘mission’, for achieving a safe and stable flight, and deduct points for damage (damage points) the model receives on landing. If you cannot return your model to the judges after its flight, the judge will award maximum damage points which will be subtracted from your final score.

What Will Disqualify My Entry?

* Your entry will be disqualified if it fails to make a safe and stable flight. USMRSC P57.5

How About Some Suggestions for New Competitors?

* Build a kit on the Semroc Classic Model Competition list that is also listed in an Estes or Centuri color catalog listed on the Ninfinger site.

* Chose a kit that you can build. Don’t try to learn a new skill for this event. If you haven’t built a clustered or staged model before, don’t do it now.

What Else & What Next?

Classic Model is making its first appearance at NARAM this year (2011-2012, NARAM 54). Check with your section’s Contest Director to see if your section will be hosting a CM event this year. Contact your Regional Contest Board Chairman for more information on competing in Classic Model.

TCC’s Classic Model Judging Form Pack, TCC CM Judging Form Pack, comprises a form for recording the judges’ point awards along with discussions by Peter Alway and John Pursley on judging, scoring and winning Sport Scale (SPSC). Since CM is based on SPSC, these discussions will help you maximize your points.

Good info on building and packing competition parachutes:

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

TCC NAR Competition Bibliography

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

Yahoo group for discussing model rocket competition:

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

Use computer simulations to determine altitude and sink rate for various rocket/motor/parachute combinations.

* Free altitude simulations:

wRASP - http://www.wrasp.com/

wRASP 32 - http://tccnar.tripod.com/sims/082_wRASP32_221.zip

* Free sink rate simulation:

http://www.onlinetesting.net/cgi-bin/descent3.3.cgi