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In order to understand high power rocketry enough to launch and successfully recover an L1 rocket, you must read, live, and understand the following information. Level 1 Certification allows flyers to fly High Power Rockets with a total installed impulse up to 640 newton-seconds.

In order to understand high power rocketry enough to launch and successfully recover an L1 rocket, please make sure you have already read [[HPR Background Information]]. Level 1 Certification allows flyers to fly High Power Rockets with a total installed impulse up to 640 newton-seconds.

 

 

NASA's online [https://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/shortr.html Beginner's Guide To Rockets] will get you started on many of the basic principles governing rocketry. If you manage to make your way through all of these, you will understand the vernacular often used in rocketry.

= Safety Codes =

= Safety Codes =

== NFPA 1127 and FAA 101 ==

== NFPA 1127 and FAA 101 ==

The National Fire Protection Association has multiple documents spanning different types of rocketry. Section 1122 governs model rockets and 1127 governs high powered rockets. We are most interested in 1127.  

The National Fire Protection Association has multiple documents spanning different types of rocketry. Section 1122 governs model rockets and 1127 governs high powered rockets. We are most interested in 1127.  

[http://unh.edu/rocketcats/NFPA-1127.pdf NFPA 1127] states:

[http://unh.edu/rocketcats/NFPA-1127.pdf NFPA 1127] sets the rules and regulations for high power rocketry, including the motor classification system, rules for Range Safety Officers, and guidelines for the safe construction, use, and storage of rocket materials. Critically, it also includes the formal definition of High Power Rocketry, and it is this definition that is referenced in ITAR.

The Federal Aviation Administration Regulations also has a relevant section to the high powered rocketry community. [http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5&node=14:2.0.1.3.15#sp14.2.101.c FAA 101 Subpart C, Amateur Rockets], states:

The Federal Aviation Administration Regulations also has a relevant section to the high powered rocketry community. [http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5&node=14:2.0.1.3.15#sp14.2.101.c FAA 101 Subpart C, Amateur Rockets]. Here are the extremely relevant sections.

;§101.22  Definitions.

;§101.22  Definitions.

== TRA and NAR Codes ==

== TRA and NAR Codes ==

Useful documents:

Useful documents:

*[http://www.tripoli.org/Portals/1/Documents/Safety%20Code/HighPowerSafetyCode%202012%20v1.0.pdf TRA's Code for High Power Rocketry]. This resource is pretty scarce, would not look here for explicit instructions.

*[http://www.tripoli.org/Portals/1/Documents/Safety%20Code/HighPowerSafetyCode%202012%20v1.0.pdf TRA's Code for High Power Rocketry]. This resource is pretty scarce, would not look here for explicit instructions.

For reference, here is a summary of NAR's saftey code. For an non-edited version of NAR's code, check out the links above.

For reference, here is a summary of NAR's safety code. For an non-edited version of NAR's code, check out the links above.

*Certification. I will only fly high power rockets or possess high power rocket motors that are within the scope of my user certification and required licensing.

*Certification. I will only fly high power rockets or possess high power rocket motors that are within the scope of my user certification and required licensing.

= L1 Requirements =

= L1 Requirements =

Sources of information: [http://www.tripoli.org/Level1 TRA L1 certification info] and [http://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/level-1-hpr-certification/ NAR L1 certification info].

Sources of information: [http://www.tripoli.org/Level1 TRA L1 certification info] and [http://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/level-1-hpr-certification/ NAR L1 certification info].

=== Pre-flight Inspection ===

=== Pre-flight Inspection ===

The model will be subjected to a safety inspection prior to flight. The safety inspection form is on the back of the NAR High Power Certification Application. During the safety inspection the modeler will be expected to provide oral answers to technical questions related to the safety and construction of his model. The questions may include (but not limited to) identification of the model’s center of gravity and center of pressure, methods used to determine model stability, and interpretation of the rocket motor’s designation. The certification team will initial (or check) the blocks indicating that model safety, motor certification, and the existence of a FAA waiver (if required) in effect were verified prior to flight.

The model will be subjected to a safety inspection prior to flight. The safety inspection form is on the back of the NAR High Power Certification Application. During the safety inspection the modeler will be expected to provide oral answers to technical questions related to the safety and construction of their model. The questions may include (but not limited to) identification of the model’s center of gravity and center of pressure, methods used to determine model stability, and interpretation of the rocket motor’s designation. The certification team will initial (or check) the blocks indicating that model safety, motor certification, and the existence of a FAA waiver (if required) in effect were verified prior to flight.

=== Certification Flight ===

=== Certification Flight ===

The rocket must be presented to the certifying member for inspection. If the rocket cannot be recovered, but can be inspected in place (power lines, tree, etc...) this is acceptable. The certifying member shall inspect the rocket for excessive damage. Excessive damage shall be considered damage to the point that if the flyer were handed another motor, the rocket could not be put on the pad and flown again safely. Damage caused by wind dragging will not cause a disqualification. If successful, the certifiers will sign the correct sheet to indicate that the certification attempt was successfully completed.  

The rocket must be presented to the certifying member for inspection. If the rocket cannot be recovered, but can be inspected in place (power lines, tree, etc...) this is acceptable. The certifying member shall inspect the rocket for excessive damage. Excessive damage shall be considered damage to the point that if the flyer were handed another motor, the rocket could not be put on the pad and flown again safely. Damage caused by wind dragging will not cause a disqualification. If successful, the certifiers will sign the correct sheet to indicate that the certification attempt was successfully completed.  

== Post-Post-Flight

=== Post-Post-Flight ===

The certification sheets are returned to NAR or TRA Headquarters. No fees are required. The certification sheet must be returned by the certified individual or the event sponsors to NAR or TRA Headquarters to allow updating the NAR or TRA database. NAR sends an updated membership card showing the certification level upon receipt of the certification paperwork.  

The certification sheets are returned to NAR or TRA Headquarters. No fees are required. The certification sheet must be returned by the certified individual or the event sponsors to NAR or TRA Headquarters to allow updating the NAR or TRA database. NAR sends an updated membership card showing the certification level upon receipt of the certification paperwork.

=== Non-certification ===  

=== Non-certification ===  

= Launch Locations =

= Launch Locations =

== Tripoli Central California ==

=== Tripoli Central California ===

== Livermore Unit of the National Association of Rocketry ==

LUNAR hosts launches on the first Saturday of each month - details can be found [http://www.lunar.org/ here].

== Who You Will Meet ==

= Final Steps =

You must mail in your certification form to have the rocketry association acknowledge your achievement. These are the addresses of NAR and TRA.

 

 

 

== What You Need To Bring ==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big, cars on the side, site in the middle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If using a single use motor or Disposable Motor System, make sure to check that the delay on the ejection charge is correct using a simulation software (i.e. OpenRocket). If needed adjust the length of the delay grain. Then place the correct quantity of ejection propellant in the correct location. Cap it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does your rocket motor have the ejection charge installed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rocket should slide freely on the rail. The pad angle should be within 20 degrees of the vertical axis (normal to the surface of the earth). Flight critical electronics (if there are any) should be armed before putting in igniters. Any radio control equipment should also be nominally operating before arming the igniters.

 

 

Place in the nozzle of rocket, and tape the igniter to the rocket so it does not slide out. '''Make sure not to short the leads of the igniters. '''

 

 

 

Following the launch, the rocket will be inspected; should the airframe be deemed suitable for flight given a new motor, it will have passed L1 certification. Failed deployment, motor cato, drifting beyond a particular range (see launch officer), or the violation of other safety codes will result in a failure. L1 certification, however, is an excellent introduction to the basic operations of rockets and recovery! See [[Pegasus|Pegasus]] for a description of an L1 rocket used as a testbed for an L3 concept.

[[Category: Rockets]]

[[Category: Rockets]]