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Everybody is welcome to fly in Pittsburgh Space Command Contest Launches. You must be
a member of NAR "The National Association of Rocketry" and older than 7 years old. So
everybody can test their building and flying skills with other NAR members.
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More on the Rules and Age Classes
Base on the NAR Offical Pink Book
Contest Codes Definitions
ALT Altitude
BG Boost Glider Duration
CA Cluster Altitude
DED Dual Egg Loft Duration
DEL Dual Egg Lofting Altitude
DR Drag Race
ELA Egg Lofting Altitude
ELD Egg Lofting Duration
FW Flex-Wing Boost Glider Duration
HD Helicopter Duration
OSL Open Spot Landing
PRA Predicted Altitude
PRD Predicted Duration
PAY Payload
PD Parachute Duration
PMC Plastic Model Conversion
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PSL Parachute Spot Landing
R & D Research and Development
RDA Random Altitude
RDD Random Duration
RCG Radio Controlled Glider
RG Rocket Glider Duration
STD Set Duration
STA Set Altitude
SCA Scale Altitude
SC Scale
SPSC Sport Scale
SD Streamer Duration
SPSY Space Systems
SRA Super-Roc Altitude
SRD Super-Roc Duration
SSL Streamer Spot Landing
SUSC Super Scale
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Examples Of Contest Codes
Oct 5 & 6, 2002 - Competition - Steel City Smoke Trial 2 & Dragon Fire 28
A SD, A PD, B ELA, F HD, SPSC
| Event |
Motor Size |
Event Description |
| A SD |
A |
Streamer Duration |
| A PD |
A |
Parachute Duration |
| B ELA |
B |
Egg Loft |
| F HD |
F |
Helicopter Duration |
| SPSC |
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Sport Scale |
NAR CONTESTANTS
Entering Competitions:
All contestants entering model rockets and competing in NAR sanctioned competition shall be members of the NAR in good standing. They are required to sign an official entry blank. The countersignature of a parent or guardian is required on the entry blank for minors, except for persons serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or students enrolled at the time in a college, university, or other institution of higher learning. Upon entering a competition, con-testants must present for verification their NAR Sporting License to the Contest Director or his/her deputy, at the Contest Director's request.
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Age Division:
The Competition Divisions are as given in the following schedule:
Division A: 7 through13 years old
Division B: 14 through 18 years old
Division C: 19 years old and older
Division T: Registered NAR Teams
All divisions are to be flown separately at any sanctioned meet, unless they must be combined in accordance with Rule 9.6 of the NAR Pink Book. The division in which an NAR member will compete during a Contest Year is determined by the member's age/status as of July 1, the start of the Contest Year.
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New Members:
Newly-joined NAR members who have not yet received their Sporting License and wish to compete in sanctioned com-petition shall be recorded as pending. The Contest Director may require a pending member to show proof of his/her application for membership.
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Altitude Competition comprises nine motor classes open to any model rocket. The purpose
of this competition is to achieve the highest altitude.
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Precision Altitude Competition comprises three events open to any model rocket. The
purpose of this competition is to accurately predict the altitude that a model will
attain.
The three classes of Precision Altitude shall be:
- Predicted Altitude
The contestant must predict the altitude in meters to which the model will be flown.
- Set Altitude
The Contest Director shall set the target altitude when the meet is sanctioned. This
value shall appear in the sanc-tion form and all appropriate contest information.
- Random Altitude
The Contest Director shall randomly select the target altitude just
prior to when the event is flown, by draw, dice, or other random device.
A contestant entered in Precision Altitude Competition shall make all official
flights in Precision Altitude before flying any other event requiring
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Cluster Altitude is comprised of five motor classes open to single staged model rockets.
The purpose of the competition is to achieve the highest altitude. All motor cases are
to be retained in the model. Following an official flight, a contestant must present
his/her model as recovered to a contest official for verification of motor casing
retention or the flight will be disqualified. The person achieving the highest altitude
is the winner.
| Class Name |
Number of Motors |
| 1/4A |
2 Motors |
| 1/2A |
3 Motors |
| A |
4 Motors |
| B |
5 Motors |
| C |
6 Motors |
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Payload Competition comprises seven events open to model rockets that carry one or
more standard NAR model rocket payloads. If the model is staged, the payload(s) must be
enclosed in the uppermost stage of the model. The purpose of this competition is to carry
a payload of given mass and dimensions to as high an altitude as possible and to recover
the payload. The standard NAR payload is intended to represent an instrument package whose
dimensions and mass cannot be modified, but must be accepted as a design constraint.
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The standard NAR model rocket payload is a non-metallic cylinder containing fine sand,
with a mass of no less than 28.0 grams. This cylinder shall be 19.1 millimeters in
diameter, and 70 millimeters in length. The payload may be permanently sealed to prevent
the loss of the sand. No holes may be drilled into it, no changes made in its shape, and
no other material may be affixed to it.
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The standard NAR model rocket payload or payloads carried in a model shall be completely
enclosed and contained within the model, shall not separate from the model in flight, and
shall be removable from the model.
| Motor Class |
Number of
Payloads Carried |
| A |
1 |
| B |
1 |
| C |
1 |
| D |
1 |
| E |
2 |
| F |
3 |
| G |
4 |
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Egg Lofting Altitude / Duration Competition comprises six motor classes open to
model rockets that carry, as a totally-enclosed payload, one raw USDA Large hen's egg,
with a mass of no less than 57 grams and no more than 63 grams, and measuring no more than
45 millimeters in diameter. If the model is staged, the egg must be enclosed in the
uppermost stage of the model. The purpose of this competition is to carry an exceedingly
fragile payload to as high an altitude as possible and to recover the payload without
damage. The egg is intended to simulate (in miniature) an astronaut, who must be properly
cushioned and restrained to withstand the forces of acceleration and the shock of landing.
No material may be affixed to the egg (e.g. glue or tape).
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The Safety Check Officer or other official shall provide the egg to each contestant
presenting his/her entry for pre-launch safety check. Each egg shall be numbered, and that
number shall be recorded on the contestant's flight card. A con-testant shall not be
required to use an egg that has been previously lofted by another contestant.
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Following the flight, the contestant shall present his/her entry as recovered and, in the
presence of an official, shall remove the egg. The official shall determine the extent of
damage to the egg. If the official cannot examine the egg, the entry shall be disqualified.
If the contestant removes the egg in the absence of officials, or breaks the egg in the
process of removing it from the model,the entry shall be disqualified. If the shell of the
egg is broken or cracked, the entry shall be disqualified.
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the
motor(s). The following classes of Egg Lofting Altitude Competition are established:
Motor Class
B
C
D
E
F
G
Back to the Top
Dual Egg Lofting Altitude Competition comprises five events open to model rockets that carry, as a totally-enclosed pay-load,
two raw USDA Large hen's eggs,
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the motor(s). The following classes of Dual Egg Lofting Altitude Competition are established:
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Motor Class
C
D
E
F
G
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For More Information See Single Egg Lofting
Parachute Duration Competition comprises five events open to single-staged entries
containing one or more parachutes for recovery purposes. The purpose of this event is to
achieve the longest flight duration time.
| Motor Class |
Multi-Round Maximum
Of Seconds |
| 1/4A |
120 |
| 1/2A |
120 |
| A |
180 |
| B |
240 |
| C |
300 |
Back to the Top
Streamer Duration Competition comprises nine motor classes open to single-staged
entries that contain a single streamer as the only recovery device. The purpose of this
event is to achieve the longest flight duration time.
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A streamer is defined for this event as a piece of cloth, plastic film, or paper, whose
shape is approximately rectangular. The streamer must have a length- to-width ratio of
five to one (5:1) or greater and have a minimum area of 100 square centimeters. The
streamer and model must be connected by only a single line or cord, attached at the
narrow end of the streamer. The cord may not be connected to either the streamer or the
model at more than one point (e.g., no yokes are permitted). The streamer may not be cut,
slit, or otherwise altered in such a manner as to affect its nature as a simple connected
plane.
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Several pieces of material may be assembled into a single streamer to overcome length
restrictions imposed by the length of commercially-available material. All pieces of the
streamer shall consist of identical material (e.g., the same type of crepe, plastic, or so
on.) Lengths of streamer material assembled in this manner must be joined in a manner so
as to keep the aerodynamic effects of the joint as small as possible. All such joints
shall be parallel to the narrow axis of the streamer.
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the
motor(s):
| Motor Class |
Multi-Round Maximum
Of Seconds |
| 1/4A |
30 |
| 1/2A |
60 |
| A |
120 |
| B |
180 |
| C |
240 |
| D |
300 |
| E |
300 |
| F |
300 |
| G |
300 |
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Helicopter Duration Competition comprises nine events open to any single-staged model
rocket which uses the principle of autorotation as the sole means of recovery. The purpose
of this competition is to achieve the longest flight duration using an autorotating
recovery system.
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Each entry must be decelerated during descent by its autorotating recovery device.
The resulting autorotation must be around the vertical axis. A model that descends nose
first, or flips over once during descent is permitted. A model that flips over more than
once shall be disqualified.
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Recovery devices employing flexible (e.g. plastic film or cloth) surfaces are prohibited.
Entries using a recovery system which is designed to act (or which actually acts) in a
manner similar to a parachute, a rigid inverted bowl, or similar techniques are
specifically excluded from this competition.
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the
motor(s). The following classes of Helicopter Duration Competition are established:
| Motor Class |
Multi-Round Maximum
Of Seconds |
| 1/4A |
30 |
| 1/2A |
60 |
| A |
120 |
| B |
180 |
| C |
240 |
| D |
300 |
| E |
300 |
| F |
300 |
| G |
300 |
Back to the Top
Boost Glider Duration Competition comprises nine events open to any model rocket, one
portion of which returns to the ground in stable, gliding flight supported by aerodynamic
lifting surfaces which sustain that portion against gravity. If the entry is staged, the
gliding portion must be part of the uppermost stage, and must not be deployed until that
stage has burned out. The entry may separate into multiple pieces; only the gliding
portion is timed. Models whose gliding surfaces are made of flexible materials (e.g.
plastic film or cloth) are prohibited from this event. The purpose of this competition
is to achieve the longest flight duration time.
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An entry that descends with parachute and/or streamer recovery device(s) permanently
attached to the gliding portion of the model shall be disqualified. However, other portions
of an entry may deploy parachutes and/or streamers for recovery purposes. (If the glider
entry accidently rips the motor pod's recovery streamer and the streamer attaches itself
to the glider, the entry may be qualified depending on the RSO ruling that the entry still
glided and was not disqualified for other reasons)
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the
motor(s). The following classes of Boost Glider Duration Competition are established:
| Motor Class |
Multi-Round Maximum
Of Seconds |
| 1/4A |
45 |
| 1/2A |
90 |
| A |
120 |
| B |
180 |
| C |
240 |
| D |
270 |
| E |
300 |
| F |
300 |
| G |
300 |
Back to the Top
Rocket Glider Duration Competition comprises nine events open to any single-staged
model rocket which returns to the ground in stable, gliding flight supported by aerodynamic
lifting surfaces which sustain it against gravity. Models whose gliding surfaces are made
of flexible materials (e.g. plastic film or cloth) are prohibited from this event. The
purpose of this competition is to achieve the longest flight duration time.
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Any entry that descends with parachute and/or streamer recovery device(s) attached shall
be disqualified.
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the
motor(s). The following classes of Rocket Glider Duration Competition are established:
| Motor Class |
Multi-Round Maximum
Of Seconds |
| 1/4A |
45 |
| 1/2A |
90 |
| A |
120 |
| B |
180 |
| C |
240 |
| D |
270 |
| E |
300 |
| F |
300 |
| G |
300 |
Back to the Top
Flex-Wing Boost Glider Duration Competition comprises nine events open to any model
rocket, one portion of which returns to the ground in stable, gliding flight supported
by flexible aerodynamic lifting surfaces which sustain that portion against gravity. If
the entry is staged, the gliding portion must be part of the uppermost stage, and must
not be deployed until that stage has burned out. The entry may separate into multiple
pieces; only the gliding portion is timed. The purpose of this competition is to achieve
the longest flight duration time.
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Any entry that descends with parachute and/or streamer recovery device(s) attached to
the gliding portion of the model shall be disqualified. However, other portions of an
entry may deploy parachutes and/or streamers for recovery purposes.
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This competition is divided into classes based on the permissible total impulse of the
motor(s). The following classes of Flex-Wing Boost Glider Duration Competition are
established:
| Motor Class |
Multi-Round Maximum
Of Seconds |
| 1/4A |
45 |
| 1/2A |
90 |
| A |
120 |
| B |
180 |
| C |
240 |
| D |
270 |
| E |
300 |
| F |
300 |
| G |
300 |
Back to the Top
Precision Duration Competition comprises three events open to any single-staged model
rocket. The purpose of this competition is to accurately predict the duration that a model
will achieve.
The three classes of Precision Duration are:
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Predicted Duration
The contestant must predict the duration in seconds which the model will achieve.
This Predicted Duration shall be recorded on the flight card and given to the Contest
Director or his/her deputy prior to any official flight by the contestant at the meet.
The minimum duration prediction allowable is 30 seconds.
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Set Duration
The Contest Director shall set the target duration when the meet is sanctioned. This value
shall appear on the sanction form and all appropriate contest information. The target
duration shall be a multiple of 5 seconds between 30 and 120 seconds. All contestants shall
attempt to achieve this same Set Duration.
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Random Duration
The Contest Director shall randomly select the target duration just prior to when the
event is flown, by draw, dice, or other random device. The target duration shall be a
multiple of 5 seconds between 30 and 120 seconds. All contestants shall attempt to achieve
this same Random Duration.
A contestant entered in Precision Duration Competition shall make his/her official
flight in Precision Duration before flying any other event requiring timing.
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Entries shall be allowed only one official flight in Precision Duration Competition.
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The entry may not be radio controlled. The entry shall not contain a dethermalizer or
other device whose purpose is to cause the model to land after a predetermined amount of
elapsed time. No human intervention (e.g., catching the model) shall be allowed between
launch and touchdown. If the model is not allowed to land naturally, the entry shall be
disqualified. Any model that drifts out of sight of the timers while still in the sky
shall earn only flight points.
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Precision Duration Competition shall be scored as follows : the achieved duration of the
model shall be divided by the target duration, and the result multiplied by 100. This
figure shall then be rounded to the nearest 0.1%. If the result is greater than or equal
to 100, subtract 100 from it; otherwise, subtract it from 100. The contestant whose score
comes closest to zero shall be declared the winner.
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The model is not required to be returned to the officials, except as stated in Rule 9.10
of the Pink Book.
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Super-Roc Alitude / Duration Competition comprises nine events open to single-staged
model rockets whose body length is no less than the minimum allowed for the classes of
the event. The purpose of this competition is to achieve the greatest duration/altitude
possible with the longest rocket possible without impairing the structural integrity of
the rocket.
All Lengths Are In Centimeters
| Motor Class |
Min Length |
Max Length |
| 1/4A |
25 |
50 |
| 1/2A |
50 |
100 |
| A |
75 |
150 |
| B |
100 |
200 |
| C |
125 |
250 |
| D |
150 |
300 |
| E |
175 |
350 |
| F |
200 |
400 |
| G |
225 |
450 |
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Spot Landing Competition comprises three events open to single-staged entries. The purpose of this competition is to land the entry so that the tip of its nose cone is closest to a predetermined spot on the ground.
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The entry may not be remotely controlled or remotely guided.
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Each entry must deploy its recovery device fully and completely before touching the ground. Each entry must comply fully
with the provisions of Rule 3.5.
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An entry must not separate into two or more unattached pieces.
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Each entry shall be allowed only one official flight. No practice flights may be made.
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Spot Landing Competition shall be scored as follows: the distance between the tip of the nose cone (or motor nozzle if the
model has no nose cone) of the model and the target spot shall be measured by the officials. If the tip of the nose cone lands more than 50 meters from the spot, the model shall not place, but shall receive flight points; otherwise, the model shall be given a score equal to its distance in meters. The contestant achieving the smallest score shall be the winner.
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Spot Landing Competition shall be divided into three classes:
Parachute Spot Landing
Each entry must deploy a parachute, with dimensions no less than 15 centimeters square or 15 centimeters in diameter
for recovery purposes.
Streamer Spot Landing
Each entry must deploy a streamer with dimensions not less than 25 millimeters by 300 millimeters.
Open Spot Landing
Any type of recovery device allowed, provided it conforms to the provisions of Rule3.5
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Any model that cannot be returned to the officials shall be scored as if it had landed over 50 meters from the spot.
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