Alternate site dimension rule

For quite a while now I have been attempting to resolve a problem. NFPA 1122 has an alternate site dimension requirement of half the expected altitude but the NAR model rocket code does not. The problem is that NAR insurance cares only about the NAR safety codes. Which means that I cannot use the alternate site dimension rule.

First I asked that the NAR model rocket safety code be updated to include the alternate site dimension rule. I was told that was too complicated a rule for rocketeers.

Then I asked why the insurance couldn't cover NAR members if we follow the NAR safety codes or the NFPA codes. They are mostly the same and it has been NAR policy since 2006 for all NAR ranges to follow the NFPA codes. The NAR president (John Hochheimer) eventually said he would be happy to bring this before the NAR Board of Trustees.

I have waited patiently for that to happen but nothing has appeared in the BoT minutes and Mr. Hochheimer does not respond to my emails.


Am I the only NAR member who would like to be able to use the alternate site dimension rule and have NAR insurance?

No, you're not. Though I haven't actually approached the NAR folks about doing this. Our current club site would be fine with larger than D motors as long as the model didn't go too high. I should ping a couple of folks on the board about this.