Modular rockeTs Building Baffles - National Association of Rocketry

FAI Sporting Code, Section 4, VolumeSM Space Models for that event. First,the minimum length of the enclosed airframeof the model must be 500 millimetersand at least 50 percent of thisairframe length must have a minimumdiameter of 40 millimeters in the launchconfiguration. Second, in events wheremulti-staging is allowed the boosterstage must deploy a recovery device, theupper stage must be at least 18 millimetersdiameter over at least 75 percent ofTwo Japanese S9 gyrocopter modelsat the 2008 World SpacemodelingChampionships.Photo by George Gassaway.The main intent of the aforementionedrequirements is that is forces the airframeto be quite large in diameter (40mm) forthe majority of its length. This helps keepsthe performance level of these lightweightrockets in a range that allows for easiertracking and recovery. Conforming tothese guidelines needn’t be a complicatedprocess. You only need to obtain a mandrelthat is machined to these specifications,and then you can forget about the math.Other than that, the streamer requirementsare just a little different. One ofthe sections of the Pink Book is titled“Summary of Changes.” You can checkout this section to see where it referencesthe FAI changes to the SportingCode from the 2006-2007 RCP cycle.Kevin Kuczek readies his rocketglider at the 2008 WSMC.Photo by George Gassaway.tion, streamer duration, helicopter duration,and boost glider duration. Nowsections can host NAR contests withthese FAI class events.What is DifferentAbout FAI Flying?One of the more notable differencesbetween regular NAR contest eventsand those NAR events in the FAI classis the design of the rocket’s airframe.The requirements for the design of theairframe are covered in Part 1.13 of theNAR Sporting Code states. The relevantsection states, in part:“Models flown in the FAI class of an event,except for Boost Glider (*), must comply withthe following construction requirements of thethe upper stage length, andany boat tails on that stagemust be at least 18 millimetersin diameter.”Esther Clark ready to fly S6Astreamer duration.NAR Sanctioned Regional CompetitionThis is a dual competition with both NAR and FAI sanctioned events.S1B- B altitude- flown using NAR approved electronics altimeters.S3A- A parachute duration- multi-round with unscheduled rounds.S4A- A boost glider duration- multi-round with scheduled roundsS6A- A streamer duration- multi-round with scheduled rounds.S9A- A helicopter duration- multi-round with scheduled rounds.Contest Director Tony Reynoldstonyr@spacemodeling.orgwww.spacemodeling.org/GreatLakesCupOn-Site Coordinator is Pat Butlerpat@appraisalservices.comwww.isar-rocketry.comWhat’s the Easiest Wayto Compete for theFirst Time?Many first time competitors in the FAIclass of events actually end up buying prebuiltairframes. One source for these airframesis Venus Rocketry. Mark Petrovich,owner of Venus Rocketry, takes pride inproviding a low cost kit for building yourfirst FAI-style rocket. His kits include a premadeairframe along with all of the neededparts and detailed instructions to complete38 MAY/JUNE 2010 Sport Rocketry