Level 1 certification

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Nathaniel_

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Hi, i'm wondering if you need to use a kit for your level 1 certification or if you could build yours from scratch, also for someone who is under 18 can they sign up with an adult in charge and if so, who would be doing the exams and the building?
 
You can build scratch for any level of certification. I scratch built L1 and used a kit for L2. If you're under 18, you can't buy the motors yourself--you need an adult to do that. I forget the exact rules, but I think you're supposed to tell the adult how to put the motor together. You'll also need witness(es) to sign off on your flight (one L2 or two L1). The easiest way to find those people is at a club launch in your area. If you go to one now (or make contact via email), you'll find people who are willing to help.
 
You haven't said NAR, CAR or TRA. Rules are different. With NAR, you can get a junior L1, but with TRA, you join the mentoring program which has very different rules. CAR I don't know.

Go to nar.org or tripoli.org and read the rules for each. Should be clear.
 
Nathaniel_ said:
Hi, i'm wondering if you need to use a kit for your level 1 certification or if you could build yours from scratch, also for someone who is under 18 can they sign up with an adult in charge and if so, who would be doing the exams and the building?
Click to expand...

Hi Nathaniel !! Welcome to the forum - you came to the right place!

In the USA, any kid under the age of 18 can build any size rocket - Kit or Scratch-built - no membership, no certification required. All you need is a little "rocket-building-skill".

Flying the rocket is another matter... :)

When you are under 18, you can only buy and fly single-use rocket motors that are "F" power or less. No reloads, and nothing bigger than "F" :mad:.... unless...

...You join a national organization - Like Tripoli or NAR. Joining one or both organizations is the best way to learn about and participate in High-Power rocketry. :cool:

Under the NAR rules you can fly the rocket you build on an H or I motor with the help of a High-Power certified adult. This gets you a Jr level 1 certification.

With Tripoli, you will take and pass a written test to achieve "M" certification, which allows access to the High-Power area at a Tripoli Launch. Fly your Rocket on H or I power with the help of your Tripoli "Mentor" to achieve "M1" status.

You can find all the details at the Tripoli or NAR websites. Better yet - attend a club-sponsored launch in your area (non-member spectators are welcome) and see, ask questions, and learn first-hand!!!:):cool::D Hint- most rocketeers love to talk to newcomers and spectators at a launch - they might even have some low-power rockets for you to launch. !!! Score-Win-Bonus !!!

Here's a photo of me with my Jr L1 and M1 Rocket.

IMG_20171103_122517.jpg
 
Hi Nathaniel,
Sabrina knows what she is talking about. Pay attention to what she says. I do.

Sabrina,
Thanks for jumping in. It's nice to see young people (is that an out of date phrase) who are kind, courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable. Keep up the good work.
I know the age eligibility is different for the two organizations. Do you know off the top of your head what they are?
Thanks,
 
Sabrina said:
Hi Nathaniel !! Welcome to the forum - you came to the right place!

In the USA, any kid under the age of 18 can build any size rocket - Kit or Scratch-built - no membership, no certification required. All you need is a little "rocket-building-skill".

Flying the rocket is another matter... :)

When you are under 18, you can only buy and fly single-use rocket motors that are "F" power or less. No reloads, and nothing bigger than "F" :mad:.... unless...

...You join a national organization - Like Tripoli or NAR. Joining one or both organizations is the best way to learn about and participate in High-Power rocketry. :cool:

Under the NAR rules you can fly the rocket you build on an H or I motor with the help of a High-Power certified adult. This gets you a Jr level 1 certification.

With Tripoli, you will take and pass a written test to achieve "M" certification, which allows access to the High-Power area at a Tripoli Launch. Fly your Rocket on H or I power with the help of your Tripoli "Mentor" to achieve "M1" status.

You can find all the details at the Tripoli or NAR websites. Better yet - attend a club-sponsored launch in your area (non-member spectators are welcome) and see, ask questions, and learn first-hand!!!:):cool::D Hint- most rocketeers love to talk to newcomers and spectators at a launch - they might even have some low-power rockets for you to launch. !!! Score-Win-Bonus !!!

Here's a photo of me with my Jr L1 and M1 Rocket.

View attachment 364961
Click to expand...

Sabrina,
You do such a very nice job of explaining things! I really appreciate it.
 
Sabrina said:
When you are under 18, you can only buy and fly single-use rocket motors that are "F" power or less. No reloads, and nothing bigger than "F" :mad:.... unless...
Click to expand...
Maybe I am mistaken, but I think you can buy some "G" motors when you are under 18.
 
blackjack2564 said:
His info says he lives in Canada.
Click to expand...

Canadian EH? :p

Well that's different! ... but not much different.

I live in Wisconsin, so Nathaniel and I are almost neighbors. You can find-out all the *crazy* Canadian rocketry rules at the C.A.R. website. YES - they have a JR program - for ages 14 and up.

And when I say Canadian rules are CRAZY... did you know...
- Canadian Certs go all the way to LEVEL - 4 !!! :eek::eek::eek: - CRAZY, Right?

Some things still work the same :)- like going to a club launch, and asking a LOT of questions. :cool: It's a really good idea 'cause you can learn a lot from those crazy ol' rocket dudes. :p

p.s. -did I use the word "crazy" enough?? :D:D:D. -it's all in good fun... nobody is really crazy except maybe...

This is a picture of me with some crazy 'ol rocket dude at LDRS-33.

IMGP6091.JPG
 
I used a mildly modified Estes Leviathan for my L1. Whether you use a kit or scratch build, make sure to pay attention to your CP-CG distance (should be 1 to 1 1/2 calibers). I had to add quite a bit of ballast to the Leviathan's nose to move the CG forward. And, of course, pay attention to all the assembly basics, especially making good fillets for your wings. One thing I didn't know, until I got one, is that, not only do you get a new card with the NAR, but you also get a cool pin!
 
Once nice thing about hanging out with the crazy old dudes is if you walk up to one and say (just an example) "Wow, pretty rocket, how did you get the fillets looking so nice" they'll tell you plenty. Maybe more than you wanted to know, come to think of it, but point being you can learn a lot if you listen and appear interested and are polite about it and all that. Works for adults too.
 

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