- Joined
- Jan 22, 2009
- Messages
- 537
- Reaction score
- 221
You may recall that the NAR has a program whereby fliers wishing to fly old motors that are no longer certified can do so, as long as the certain conditions are met (I'll list them in glorious detail at the end of this.)
The program has gone well. 124 motors have been flown, representing 9 manufacturers and 44 different motor types. The failure rate has been about 7%, counting all possible failure modes. More details to come soon.
As of the BoT meeting just concluded, the program has been extended, and we've made participation somewhat easier.
In particular, you can apply to test any number of motors, and you can apply any time. I'll need a week or so (two, if I happen to be on business travel) to check the motor list you send and get you written authorization.
The NAR Board of Trustees intends for this activity to be productive (i.e., to provide valid data on the question of the safety of old motors), but there is no reason why it can not also be fun. We're hoping that Sections will be interested in supporting this activity and will find ways to increase the data collected.
To get involved, you need to send me
The name and NAR number of the person responsible for conducting the test and reporting on the results,
The date and place of the test (include a brief description of the field, e.g., "school football field," "25 square miles of desert"),
An itemized list of motors to be tested (In addition, any data that the proposer can provide on the certification history of the motors proposed for testing will be greatly appreciated!), and
A statement of agreement to comply with the conditions listed below, and any other conditions that may be attached to the authorization (e.g., safe distances, restrictions on the list of motors to be tested).
Note that only model rocket motors that have not been decertified for safety reasons are eligible for this program.
Under the NAR Safety Code, you may NOT fly decertified motors unless you comply with these rules.
Please help us get some great data, and not mess up what could be the beginning of broader ability to fly. Let's all continue to make sport rocketry safe, educational, and fun!
-------------------------------------
The fine print:
1) Testing will be restricted to those clubs and NAR members, on insured
sites, and at specific times and places, who agree to comply with these conditions.
2) Motors shall have been decertified only due to being out of
production and shall not have been decertified for safety reasons
3) Minimum distances shall be at least doubled, depending on the
characteristics of the vehicle under test. Tests shall not be
conducted when elevated fire hazard conditions are present, and
appropriate firefighting equipment shall be available.
4) All test flights will be conducted with spectators alerted and aware.
5) All test flights shall use a single motor. The sole exception to
this restriction is that black powder booster motors may be staged to
an appropriate, currently certified black powder sustainer motor. No
clustered motors shall be used.
6) The following data shall be provided to the Chair of the
Safety Committee (that would be me
)no later than seven days
following the event, for each motor tested, regardless of outcome:
a) Motor designation
b) Date of manufacture and/or motor coding
c) Any available information on storage (e.g., "it's been in my cool,
dry basement for 10 years.")
d) Flight outcome, including timed delay. If the outcome was a failure
motor, details of the failure AND A MESS REPORT shall be submitted.
7) In the event two motors from the same date and of the same type
CATO, no further testing of motors of that date and type shall be
conducted.
Again, motor tests shall not be conducted without specific written authorization, because motors tested under this policy shall be considered to be certified
for the date and location specified in the authorization.
Regards,
Ted Cochran
Chair, NAR Safety Committee
The program has gone well. 124 motors have been flown, representing 9 manufacturers and 44 different motor types. The failure rate has been about 7%, counting all possible failure modes. More details to come soon.
As of the BoT meeting just concluded, the program has been extended, and we've made participation somewhat easier.
In particular, you can apply to test any number of motors, and you can apply any time. I'll need a week or so (two, if I happen to be on business travel) to check the motor list you send and get you written authorization.
The NAR Board of Trustees intends for this activity to be productive (i.e., to provide valid data on the question of the safety of old motors), but there is no reason why it can not also be fun. We're hoping that Sections will be interested in supporting this activity and will find ways to increase the data collected.
To get involved, you need to send me
The name and NAR number of the person responsible for conducting the test and reporting on the results,
The date and place of the test (include a brief description of the field, e.g., "school football field," "25 square miles of desert"),
An itemized list of motors to be tested (In addition, any data that the proposer can provide on the certification history of the motors proposed for testing will be greatly appreciated!), and
A statement of agreement to comply with the conditions listed below, and any other conditions that may be attached to the authorization (e.g., safe distances, restrictions on the list of motors to be tested).
Note that only model rocket motors that have not been decertified for safety reasons are eligible for this program.
Under the NAR Safety Code, you may NOT fly decertified motors unless you comply with these rules.
Please help us get some great data, and not mess up what could be the beginning of broader ability to fly. Let's all continue to make sport rocketry safe, educational, and fun!
-------------------------------------
The fine print:
1) Testing will be restricted to those clubs and NAR members, on insured
sites, and at specific times and places, who agree to comply with these conditions.
2) Motors shall have been decertified only due to being out of
production and shall not have been decertified for safety reasons
3) Minimum distances shall be at least doubled, depending on the
characteristics of the vehicle under test. Tests shall not be
conducted when elevated fire hazard conditions are present, and
appropriate firefighting equipment shall be available.
4) All test flights will be conducted with spectators alerted and aware.
5) All test flights shall use a single motor. The sole exception to
this restriction is that black powder booster motors may be staged to
an appropriate, currently certified black powder sustainer motor. No
clustered motors shall be used.
6) The following data shall be provided to the Chair of the
Safety Committee (that would be me
)no later than seven days following the event, for each motor tested, regardless of outcome:
a) Motor designation
b) Date of manufacture and/or motor coding
c) Any available information on storage (e.g., "it's been in my cool,
dry basement for 10 years.")
d) Flight outcome, including timed delay. If the outcome was a failure
motor, details of the failure AND A MESS REPORT shall be submitted.
7) In the event two motors from the same date and of the same type
CATO, no further testing of motors of that date and type shall be
conducted.
Again, motor tests shall not be conducted without specific written authorization, because motors tested under this policy shall be considered to be certified
for the date and location specified in the authorization.
Regards,
Ted Cochran
Chair, NAR Safety Committee
