CAR RSO Certification Program

CAR RSO Certification Program 

INTRODUCTION 

Transport Canada’s “Requirements for Launching High Power Rockets In Canada” state: 

10. Range Safety Officer Requirements 

10.1. All persons performing the duties of a Range Safety Officer shall meet the qualification and certification 

requirements as acceptable to Transport Canada. 

It is in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that we at CAR have worked with representatives of Transport Canada 

in preparing this certification program. It is the hope of us all, that through these new procedures, a higher standard of 

safety can be achieved at every HPR launch in Canada. 

This program is designed to document a flyer's experience level at HPR launches. To progress through the 3 levels 

requires a flyer to acquire the ability to critique rockets prior to flight (RSO Inspections) and assess and address all 

safety aspects of an active launch site. There are no multiple choice test formats that can prepare someone for the RSO 

task. Hence, this program is, by design, the documentation of his/her accumulated experience. 

Level 1 RSO is the entry level into active launch site management. This first level of certification is capable of 

inspecting, and launching simple (not complex), motor ejection rockets of H through L impulse inclusive. 

Level 2 RSO is certified to RSO any L1, L2 or L3 rocket, complex or otherwise, and would be able to set and organize 

a launch which did not include either a level 4 flight or a seriously complex L3 flight. 

Level 3 RSO is certified to RSO any High Power Rocket (H through O) and would be qualified to run any High Power 

Rocket launch regardless of impulse being flown. 

Once a candidate has completed collecting the requirements for any given level, he/she gets the form approved by the 

provincial representative of his/her area and submits the form to CAR HQ. A member of the CAR executive is 

required to sign off on the application and then the candidate will receive a new membership card indicating the new 

RSO certification level. 

It is in the design of this program that a certified RSO, at a given level, should seldom inspect a rocket at his current 

impulse level (or lower). Rather he/she should seize the opportunity to observe and instruct an apprentice RSO 

inspecting the rocket and sign off on their certification affidavit. In this way, currently certified RSOs can encourage 

others to also become certified and share the event operation load. 

It is the responsibility of the launch organizer to satisfy Transport Canada’s requirement to locate and schedule RSOs 

that are properly qualified for the impulse levels being flown at his/her event. A list of currently certified RSOs and 

their levels will be available from CAR HQ on a request basis.

RSO Level 1 Description and Requirements 

Certified to RSO any simple** CAR L1, L2, or L3 rocket. 

REQUIREMENTS 

a. Must be CAR Level 1 certified. 

b. Must have knowledge of the following documents: 

Transport Canada, Authorization Requirements for Use of Hybrid High Power Rocket Motors. 

http://www.promotek.com/car/Hybrid_Requirements.pdf 

Transport Canada, Range Safety Officer Requirements. 

http://www.promotek.com/car/RANGE_SAFETY_OFFICER_REQUIREMENTS.pdf 

Natural Resources-Explosives Division, The Explosives Act , sec. (s) 

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/explosif/ 

Tripoli Rocketry Association, High Power Certification 

http://www.tripoli.org/ 

Tripoli Rocketry Association, Safety Code 

http://www.tripoli.org/ 

National Association of Rocketry, High Power Certification 

http://www.nar.org/index.html 

National Association of Rocketry, Safety Code 

http://www.nar.org/index.html 

Aeronautics Act – Definitions, Chapter A-2, Interpretation 

http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/regserv/carac/cars/aa/aa00e.htm#aa00-03 

Canadian Aviation Regulations, sec. (s) 602.43; 602.44; 602.45. 

http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/regserv/carac/cars/cars/602e.htm#602_43 

c. This application must be approved and signed by the CAR regional representative prior to submission to CAR HQ 

and must be approved by at least one CAR executive member. 

d. Must have inspected, under the supervision of the acting RSO, a minimum of 20 High Power Rockets, at least 3 of 

which are of CAR Level 3 (J, K, or L impulse). 

e. Must have performed 2 LCO Tours of duty at an active HPR launch. 

f. Must be familiar with the CAR Launch Details form and the RSO checklist. 

** A “simple” rocket is defined as having a single motor, single stage and using motor ejection.

Canadian Association of Rocketry 

509 Bearspaw Village Ridge 

Calgary, Alberta 

CANADA, T3L 2P1 

hq@canadianrocketry.org 

RSO Level 1 Application Form 

Rocket Inspections: 

Name CAR # Cert. Level 

Date Location Impulse Supervisor Signature RSO Cert. 

1 H I J K L 

2 H I J K L 

3 H I J K L 

4 H I J K L 

5 H I J K L 

6 H I J K L 

7 H I J K L 

8 H I J K L 

9 H I J K L 

10 H I J K L 

11 H I J K L 

12 H I J K L 

13 H I J K L 

14 H I J K L 

15 H I J K L 

16 H I J K L 

17 H I J K L 

18 H I J K L 

19 H I J K L 

20 H I J K L 

LCO Tours of duty: 

1 

2 

Date Location Supervisor Signature RSO Cert. 

I have read and understand the documents listed in the CAR RSO L1 requirements 

Applicant Signature: ______________________________ 

CAR Regional Rep: _______________________________ 

CAR HQ Authorization: _________________________________


Certified to RSO any L1, L2 or L3 rocket, complex or otherwise, and would be able to set and 

organize a launch which did not include either a level 4 flight or a complex L3 flight. 

REQUIREMENTS 

a. This application must be approved and signed by the CAR regional representative prior to submission to CAR 

HQ and must be approved by at least one CAR executive member. 

b. Have completed the requirements laid out in RSO Level 1. 

c. Be CAR Level 2 certified. 

d. Have inspected a further minimum 20 High power Rockets, at least 10 of which are CAR Level 3 impulse. 

2 of the above mentioned rockets must be of a complex design. (Staged or clustered flight, any HPR impulse), 

5 of the above mentioned rockets must have electronic deployment. 

e. Have assisted in a minimum of 1 range layout for a high power launch.







Name CAR # RSO Level 

Range Layout: Organizer Signature 

Date Location Cmplx Elec. Impulse Supervisor Signature RSO Level 

1 Y/N Y/N H I J K L 
























Certified to RSO any High Power Rocket (H through O) and would be qualified 

to run any rocket launch regardless of impulse being flown. 

REQUIREMENTS 

This application must be approved and signed by the CAR regional representative prior to submission to CAR HQ and 

must be approved by at least one executive member at CAR HQ. 

a. Have completed the requirements laid out in RSO Level 2. 

b. Must be a minimum of CAR Level 3 certified. 

c. Have acted as RSO inspector of at least 3 CAR Level 4 rockets. 

d. Have assisted in the layout of a further 2 High Power rocket ranges, including at least 1 range incorporating a 

Level 4 or Level 3 complex flight. (i.e. a range where away cells are necessary) 

e. Have assisted in the filing of an application to launch high power rockets with Transport Canada.







Name CAR # Cert. Level 

Date Location Impulse Supervisor Signature RSO Level 

1 M N O 

2 M N O 

3 M N O 

Range Layout: Organizer Signature: 

Range Layout: Organizer Signature: 

Please attach copy of launch application 




Launch Details Form 

(To be posted on RSO table at all times) 

Critical Phone Numbers 

Emergency # 

Launch Organizer Cell # 

Transport Canada # 

Current Local Weather # 

RSO Table Cell # 

NavCan Info FSS # 

Current Ceiling 

Current Wind 

Waiver Details 

Windows 

Directions to Launch Location (For Emergency Response Purposes) 

RSO Table Check List 

Fire Extinguisher Y/N Binoculars Y/N 

Rakes Y/N Compass Y/N 

First Aid Kit Y/N Anemometer Y/N 

P. A System Y/N Crowd control Y/N

RSO LAUNCH SITE EVALUATION 

Complete the launch site evaluation items listed below. It is preferred that the evaluation be 

performed prior to the start of the day's launch activity to avoid interference with model launches. 

Item Description Yes No 

l 

Is a means of measuring wind speed or getting weather reports available 

2 Do all launch pads have blast defectors Do launch pads restrict the launch 

angle to less than 20 degrees Are launch rods securely fastened to the launch 

pads 

3 Does launch equipment have sufficient current output for high current ignition 

requirements (e.g. clusters) 

4 Is the launch equipment "flashbulb safe" 

5 Is the ground cleared of flammable materials around the launch pad Are 

provisions made to water down the area to prevent fire 

6 Are launch pads located away from personnel per the distances specified in the 

safety codes 

7 Are barriers in place to prevent unauthorized entry into the launch areas Is 

pad access planned to minimize launch personnel from crossing launch control 

wiring or approaching "hot" pads 

8 Will the model trajectories cause them to land in spectator or non-participant 

areas 

9 Is fire fighting equipment available 

10 Are battery terminals protected from accidental shorts Are 110 VAC supplies 

protected to prevent electrical shock 

11 Is a first aid kit available Are emergency telephone numbers for fire and 

ambulance easily available Is a phone nearby to call for assistance 

12 Are participants and spectators made aware of an incoming model 

13 Is smoking controlled Are "butt" cans available to prevent discards of lit 

smoking materials on the ground 

14 If applicable, is the FAA waiver activated Is a copy of the waiver available 

on the launch range Do all participants know the waiver limits Is a contact 

point and method available to the FAA in the event of a problem 

15 Does the RSO have a means of clearly and consistently communicating with 

the launch control officer 

16 Are binoculars available to allow the RSO to better assess the safety of an 

airborne rocket 

17 Is an electronics preparation/arming area provided to minimize the danger 

from an inadvertent activation of an upper stage or recovery system

RSO Checklist 

Is the nosecone or payload shoulder sufficiently tight to prevent drag separation The nosecone or payload should not wobble 

side to side or separate from its own weight. Is a vent hole needed to relieve pressure for high altitude flight Do stage 

couplers fit snugly to prevent bending or separation during flight Is the body tube thickness adequate to withstand high power 

flight (typically .050 inch walls or thicker) Is their pre-existing damage that may weaken the model structure (e.g. tube 

crimps) Are screws and fasteners tight, if used 

Are the launch lugs securely fastened to the model Verify no cracking of adhesive joints. Is the launch lug(s) appropriately 

sized for the model, typically ¼ inch or larger in diameter Will the launch lugs bind on the launch rod Taped on launch lugs 

are not permitted. 

R.S.O. 

Initials 

On clustered models are the spaces between the tubes filled to prevent ejection pressure leakage If mixing black powder and 

composite motors does the modeler assure composite motor ignition before black powder motor ignition (composite motors 

ignite more slowly than black powder motors) If the cluster model is not using all of its motors are the unused motor tubes 

plugged to prevent ejection blowby 

Is (are) the motor(s) sufficient to safely fly the model Use motor manufacturer’s recommendations or recommended motor 

lists for similar sized models as a starting point. (Also consider model weight, configuration, and finish when evaluating motor 

capabilities). Is (are) the rocket motor(s) NRCan approved Low Current Igniter Yes __ No __ 

Is (are) the rocket motor(s) firmly restrained in the model Check the engine mount integrity to prevent any *fly through (Is a 

thrust ring used) Check for a motor hook or similar restraint. Carefully check tape or friction fit motors for tightness. Ask 

the modeler what adhesives were used during assembly. Are clusters wired in parallel 

If electronics are used, is the battery secured against * g *loads Will electrical connections fail or loosen from acceleration 

forces Will igniters stay full inserted in rocket motors during boost Is the user protected against inadvertent operation, e.g. 

is the circuit remotely armed, are safety switches present, is an armed status indicator used (visual or audible) Does the 

modeler have a checklist or reminder to arm or operate the system prior to flight 

If radio control is used, is for flight functions (e.g. recovery) the operating frequency in the 27, 50, 53, or 72-megahertz bands 

Use of 75 megahertz for flight functions is not permitted. Is the antenna protected from breakage (not flopping freely) Did 

the operator range check his equipment 

Are the fins fully secured to the model Check for looseness or cracking at the fin to body tube junction. *Through the wall* 

construction is recommended for high power models. Is the fin material compatible with the motor thrust range (1/8 inch 

minimum plywood is recommended for high power models) Ask the modeler how his fins are mounted, what adhesives were 

used (epoxy is preferred), and what fin material was used. 

Are the fins mounted parallel to the roll axis of the model Are any warps present, which may cause erratic flight 

Is the model stable If stability is in doubt require proof of the CG and CP locations (reminder CG should be forward of the 

CP by approximately 1.0 body tube diameters). Ask the modeler to show the CG and CP locations and how they were 

determined. Verify that the modeler shows the CG with the motor(s) intended for flight and not a smaller motor or fewer 

motors (clusters). Ask the modeler to show the CG and CP for the complete model and less each stage for a staged model. 

Require evidence of CP calculations if further doubt exists. 

Will the model *bust* the waiver Verify compliance by comparing model weight and power with charts/tables (if available) 

or by calculation. Ask the modeler what the expected performance is and how he made his determination (e.g. computer 

simulation, similar models). 

Inspect the recovery system. Verify that the shock cord is not cut or frayed and free of burns. Are the shock cord mounts 

securely mounted to the model Are sharp edges present, which may cut shock cords, parachute risers, and suspension lines 

Is hardware, e.g. swivels, screw eyes, sufficiently strong to withstand recovery loads. If required, perform a pull test on the 

recovery system. Is parachute protection (e.g. wadding) adequate Check for parachute damage, e.g. tears, burns, which may 

spread during recovery.

CAR RSO Certification Program

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