Changes

*'''Is sufficient wadding/Kevlar installed?''' Wadding, sometimes referred to as dog barf, is fire-retardant, blown-cellulose insulation (used in home insulation) that protects your rocket/shock cord/parachute protector from getting blown to smithereens by your ejection charge. The Kevlar pads in the Firestorm kits serve an equivalent purpose of protector your parachutes from getting fried. Be sure the Kevlar pad fully wraps around the area of your parachute that is facing the ejection charge. Use your head on this one -- what good is a Kevlar covering, if it isn't covering the part of your parachute that is going to get blasted with BP/Pyrodex?  

*'''Is sufficient wadding/Kevlar installed?''' Wadding, sometimes referred to as dog barf, is fire-retardant, blown-cellulose insulation (used in home insulation) that protects your rocket/shock cord/parachute protector from getting blown to smithereens by your ejection charge. The Kevlar pads in the Firestorm kits serve an equivalent purpose of protector your parachutes from getting fried. Be sure the Kevlar pad fully wraps around the area of your parachute that is facing the ejection charge. Use your head on this one -- what good is a Kevlar covering, if it isn't covering the part of your parachute that is going to get blasted with BP/Pyrodex?  

*'''What kind of motor retention system is installed?''' Motors can be retained with either a friction fit (not recommended) or a positive retention system such as motor clips or retaining rings (what you'll be using for Firestorms) Examine the motor retainer and retaining rings carefully and make sure the smaller ring is sitting inside the groove of the retainer, not just pressed into the retainer anywhere. Give your motor a good pull (the RSO may do this also) and make sure the motor cannot fall out in anyway.

*'''What kind of motor retention system is installed?''' Motors can be retained with either a friction fit (not recommended) or a positive retention system such as motor clips or retaining rings (what you'll be using for Firestorms). Examine the motor retainer and retaining rings carefully and make sure the smaller ring is sitting inside the groove of the retainer, not just pressed into the retainer anywhere. Give your motor a good pull (the RSO may do this also) and make sure the motor cannot fall out in anyway.

*'''What prevents the motor from flying-through the rocket?''' Give your motor a good push (the RSO may do this also) and make sure neither the motor nor the motor tube move inside the airframe.

*'''What prevents the motor from flying-through the rocket?''' Give your motor a good push (the RSO may do this also) and make sure neither the motor nor the motor tube move inside the airframe.

=== Rocket Construction ===

=== Rocket Construction & Inspection===

*'''Is the rocket stable? Is the CG in front of the CP? Be able to identify both.'''

*'''Is the rocket stable? Is the CG in front of the CP? Be able to identify both.''' You can find the CG of the rocket with the motor installed by finding its balancing point. Mark this point on the outside of your rocket. Use a simulation program to determine where your CP is and mark this on the outside also. The CG must be at least 1 caliber in front of the CP.

*'''Is the nose cone fitted correctly?'''

*'''Is the nose cone fitted correctly?''' Check the fit of your nose cone by yourself first. Does the nose cone separate from the rocket under its own weight? It shouldn't. Add a little bit of tape around the shoulder. The right fit is such that the nose cone will not detach if you simply pick up your rocket by the nose cone, but not so tight that you need to exert excessive effort to remove it. A few strong shakes should do the trick. Also check that paint is not inside the body tube or on the shoulder, which can cause the issues with sliding the nose cone off -- sand things down carefully as needed.

*'''Launch lugs and/or rail guides properly installed, positioned, and aligned?'''

*'''Launch lugs and/or rail guides properly installed, positioned, and aligned?''' Verify your rail guides are attached securely and are in good condition (no cracks, deformations, etc). Check for any paint build up that could interfere with the launch rails -- sand as needed.

*'''Are the fins mounted parallel to the roll axis?'''

*'''Are the fins in good condition and mounted parallel to the roll axis?''' Verify you epoxied your fins on straight. Wiggle the fins at the tip. Do your fins move or flex a lot? They shouldn't. Examine the fins for any cracks or warpage.

*'''Is an appropriately-sized recovery system installed and attached?'''

*'''Is an appropriately-sized recovery system installed and attached?''' Verify that your shock cord is not frayed, burnt, or cut and that all knots are secure and will not slip out. Pull on the shock cord several times to check it is secured to your airframe properly. Check all your quick links and any other hardware are tightened completely and will not separate under load. Check that your parachute is in good condition and is not loose, burnt, or cut. Double check your Kevlar wrapping.

*'''Are there vent holes?'''

*'''Are there vent holes?''' Vent holes are used to vent the rocket's internal pressure and avoid premature separation. You should have two vent holes, one in the aft section of your rocket and one in the forward, near the nose cone.

== Launch Pad Procedure ==

== Launch Pad Procedure ==