How to Runa

Local Competition

Jack & Kathy Colpas © 2005Revised 2012

Use arrow keys to move through program

Hosting a Local Contest is as easy as…

★ 3…★ 2… ★ 1…

3…

Build your rockets

Launch

2…

1…

Choose your Level of Competition

Order your rocketry supplies

Mark & measure landing spots

Award certificates & submit your results

3…

Choose your level of competition

Order your rocketry supplies

Levels of Competitionchosen by age

Kids CompetitionAges 10 to 14

Intermediate CompetitionAges 10 to 18

Open CompetitionAges 10 to adult

See Contest Rules posted at www.TheRocketman.net for Details

Schools

Family Events

Scouts

Rocket Choices

There are many Rocket Kits available that qualify.

Here are some of the most popular models.

★ Estes (Alpha, Alpha III, Gen.E2X) ★ Quest (Astra, Astra III) ★ Custom (Freedom, Venture) – or build your own!

★ Length 11 ½” to 15 ½” Diameter 7/8 ” to 1 ¼ ”

Kits come with easy-to-follow instructions.

Engines & Accessories

★ Launch with Estes A8-3 Engines or

Quest A6-4 Motors★ Electric ignition from a safe distance

★ Must use Parachute Recovery★ 11 ½” to 14 ½“ diameter★ Some or all of the ‘spill hole’ may be removed

★ Maximum 4 ¼ “ diameter circle

★ Standard Launch Pad & Rod ★ must be no longer than 38 inches

Rocketry SuppliesTo order go to

??? Not certain what to order ???Just e-mail us.

We’ll send a ‘no cost - no obligation’ estimate.

www.TheRocketman.netClick on “STORE”

2…

Build your rocket

Launch

2…

Build

Launch

Building and launching can take place on separate days

Brentwood Elementary

FLMS TeachersCheck out the Rocket Drying Rack

Rocket Construction

Contestants must build their own rocketHelp is strictly Hands-Off

Verbal coaching, demonstration and video instruction are acceptable

NOTE: Exceptions for Special Needs contestants are at the discretion of the local contest judges.

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida

Build your rockets Detailed instructions are included with each

rocket kit Approximately 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours to build

Can be built over several days

See NAR Model Rocket Safety Code at

the end of this presentation

Location Sports fields make great launch sites

Clear away any dry grass or debris from around the launch pad

For safety sake – launch only when winds are below 20 mph

See NAR Model Rocket Safety Code at the end of this presentation

Set target 20 feet downrange of launch pad It must be stationary and clearly visible A dowel and flag or nail through a paper work fine

All participants and spectators must be at a safe distance At least 15 feet from launch pad Behind the launch control

OCPS Teacher Workshop

Rocket PreparationPush flame-proof wadding into body tube

one piece at a time

ball loosely

Pack parachute a little talcum powder helps

install engine (motor)Must use A8-3 or A6-4 power

It locks into place

Insert igniter - Just prior to launchThe igniter tip is brittle ~ Handle

Carefully

Make certain the wires do not cross

Remember - Help is strictly Hands-Off Verbal coaching, demonstration and video instruction are acceptable

Launch PreparationSlide rocket down launch rod

Rod may be angled into the wind to control landing An angle less than 30 degrees from vertical

must be used NAR Pink Book ~ Spot-landing contest rule #5.4

Launching Device

Attach alligator clipsOne to each igniter wire There are no positive (+) or negative (-) leads

Remember - Help is strictly Hands-Off Verbal coaching, demonstration and video instruction are

acceptable

LaunchInsert (or depress) safety key

You should get a ready light (or sound)

Give a loud countdownJust like NASA does

Press the Launch ButtonWatch your rocket fly!

1…

Mark & measure the landings

Award certificates & submit your results

Mark & MeasureMark the first touchdown spot of the tip of the

nosecone Golf tees, nails or screws make good markers If judges cannot agree on the spot – landing will be marked halfway

between the two spots in question

At least 3 closest landings launch again It is preferred to allow every competitor a second launch Closest average landing of the 2 launches WINS the local contest

Measure winner’s distances to the nearest ¼ inch Any landing that is not measurable is recorded as 50 feet Fill out National Entry Form

Contest Wrap-up Closest average distance from the target after 2 launches

WINS! Only the winner’s results must be measured with accuracy Average = landing 1 distance + landing 2 distance / 2

Award Certificates to all Participants, Judges and Helpers

may be done later awards ceremony, parent night, etc.

Fill out and submit National Entry Form Annual deadline posted on website

FLMS 2010 local winnerAt G.WIZ

Contest FormsAchievement Certificates

Hand out to all participantsContestants, host, judges and helpers

Local Winner’s Certificate Award to contestant with the closest average

landingAfter 2 flights

Flight Log Use to record individual launches

This form is optional

National Entry FormFill out and get signaturesSubmit form to contest Headquarters by

Deadline

See complete contest rules for details

Local Event Requirements

At least 10 Contestants Each contestant must build and launch their own rocket

Two adult Judges One judge must have ‘official’ title

i.e. Principal, ranking Police or Fire Dept. Officer, Public Official, Mayor, Governor, etc,

Target 20 feet from launch pad, easily visible

Measuring Tape Measurements up to 50 feet will be taken, accurate to ¼ inch

Launch Field Sport fields (baseball, football, etc.) work fine

National Entry Form Must be submitted to contest headquarters by Deadline

2009 National Winners

Launch at Astronaut Hall of Fame

Certifying Results

National Entry Form1. Requires signatures from:

� Two adult judges� One must be a Public Official

� School Admin, Police or Fire Officer, Scout District Leader, etc.

� Contest host may serve as judge� Winner (parent or guardian signature needed for minors)� Three Rocket Contest participants

2. Must be received at contest headquarters by DeadlinePosted on website

3. Entries must be on original, numbered formSubmission accepted by fax or e-mail

Quick Reference Guide

Rocket

Length 11 ½ ” to 15 ½ ”

Diameter 7/8 ” to 1 ¼ ”

Weight not to exceed 2 ½ oz (71 g) *including parachute*without engine /

motor Note: No weight may be added to affect altitude.

A postal scale is helpful for weighing rockets

Parachute Plastic Minimum four shrouds

8” to 14” in length

Diameter 11 ¼ ” to 14 ½ ”

All or part of spill-hole may be removed

(max 4 ¼”diam.)

Fins 3 to 5

Engines (motors)

A8-3 A6-4 See rules for details

Launch Rod Length 38” maximum

Launch Angle less than 30° from vertical

Target 20’ downrange Clearly visible stationary

Celebrate Nationally

6 National Winners Receive -“Memories to last a lifetime and bragging

rights for generations to come!”� Trophy� Certificate � Commemorative Space Shuttle Challenger

bronze coin.

Celebrate and launch at � Astronaut Hall of Fame at � Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida� Space Camp at the� US Space & Rocket CenterIn Huntsville, Alabama

One Competition / Two Celebrations

Astronaut Hall of Fame Celebration 3 National winners celebrate at the

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex« Launch at the Astronaut Hall of Fame

« Includes special tour for winners – and their families!

« Ride the Shuttle Launch Experience« ….& more!

Winner Chooses Celebration!

Transportation and meals not included

Winners celebrate in The Rocket Garden

2009 National WinnersLaunch at Astronaut Hall

One Competition ~ Two Celebrations

Space Camp Celebration

« 3 National winners Receive your trophy at the US Space & Rocket Center

« Launch your winning rocket from Homer Hickam Field, Huntsville, AL

« ….& more!

Author - Homer Hickam awards trophies to 2007 winners

Winner Chooses Celebration!

Transportation and meals not includedLaunching from Homer Hickam Field

Author - Homer Hickam awards trophy to 2009 winner

Rocket Science

If anyone should ask….

Braden River Middle

Newton’s Laws

force & motionaerodynamics

resistance

chemistry

gravitation math

triangulationfriction

.

.

.

Sarasota Middle

“I never knew I could build a rocket. Let alone make it FLY!” Booker Middle School student

N.A.R. MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODEpart 1

1. MATERIALS. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.

2. MOTORS. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.

3. IGNITION SYSTEM. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when released.

4. MISFIRES. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the rocket.

5. LAUNCH SAFETY. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance.

6. LAUNCHER. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.

N.A.R. MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODEpart 2

7. SIZE. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse. If my model rocket weighs more than one pound (453 grams) at liftoff or has more than 4 ounces (113 grams) of propellant, I will check and comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations before flying.

8. FLIGHT SAFETY. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.

9. LAUNCH SITE. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.

LAUNCH SITE DIMENSIONS. Equivalent Motor Type A ~ Minimum Site Dimensions 100 ft

10 RECOVERY SYSTEM. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.

11. RECOVERY SAFETY. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.

We have everything ready.

� Reach for the Stars ~ National Rocket Competition

� Jack & Kathy Colpas, program directors� (941) 955-3958

Contact us. The kids need your help!

Wishing you light winds

on launch day!

Over 50 years of combined experience as educators.

www.TheRocketman.netRocketman@SciConServices.com