This document provides instructions for hosting a local model rocketry competition. It outlines the 3 key steps: 1) Mark and measure landing spots and award certificates. 2) Build rockets and launch. 3) Choose a level of competition and order supplies. Details are given for each step, including guidelines for rocket sizes, engines, supplies ordering, and requirements to certify local results to the national competition. The overall goal is to encourage participation in model rocketry through a fun, educational local event.

1. How to Run
a
Local
Competition
Use arrow keys to move through program
Jack & Kathy Colpas © 2005
Revised 2012

2. Hosting a Local Contest
is as easy as…
★ 3…
★ 2…
★ 1…

3. 3…
Choose your Level of Competition
Order your rocketry supplies
2…
Build your rockets
Launch
1…
Mark & measure landing spots
Award certificates & submit your results

4. 3…
Choose your level of competition
Order your rocketry supplies

5. Levels of Competition
chosen by age
 Kids Competition
Ages 10 to 14 Scouts
Schools
 Intermediate Competition
Ages 10 to 18
 Open Competition
Ages 10 to adult Family Events
See Contest Rules posted at www.TheRocketman.net for Details

6. Rocket Choices
There are many Rocket Kits available
that qualify.
Here are some of the most popular
models.
★ Estes (Alpha, Alpha III, Gen.E2X)
★ Quest (Astra, Astra III)
★ Custom (Freedom, Venture)
– or build your own!
★ Length 11 ½” to 15 ½” Diameter 7/8 ” to 1 ¼ ”
Kits come with easy-to-follow instructions.

7. Engines & Accessories
★ Launch with Estes A8-3 Engines or
Quest A6-4 Motors
★ Electric ignition from a safe distance
★ Must use Parachute Recovery
★ 11 ½” to 14 ½“ diameter
★ Some or all of the „spill hole‟ may be removed
★ Maximum 4 ¼ “ diameter circle
★ Standard Launch Pad & Rod
★ must be no longer than 38 inches

8. Rocketry Supplies
To order go to
www.TheRocketman.net
Click on “STORE”
??? Not certain what to order ???
Just e-mail us.
We‟ll send a „no cost - no obligation‟ estimate.

9. 2…
Build your rocket
Launch

10. 2…
Build
Launch FLMS Teachers
Check out the Rocket Drying Rack
Building and launching can take place on separate days
Brentwood Elementary

11. Rocket Construction
Build your rockets
 Detailed instructions are included with each
rocket kit
 Approximately 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours to build
 Can be built over several days
 See NAR Model Rocket Safety Code at
the end of this presentation
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
Contestants must build their own rocket
Help is strictly Hands-Off
 Verbal coaching, demonstration and video
instruction are acceptable
NOTE: Exceptions for Special Needs contestants are
at the discretion of the local contest judges.

12. Location
 Sports fields make great launch sites
 Clear away any dry grass or debris from around
the launch pad
 For safety sake – launch only when winds are
below 20 mph
 See NAR Model Rocket Safety Code
at the end of this presentation
 Set target 20 feet downrange of launch
pad
 It must be stationary and clearly visible
 A dowel and flag or nail through a paper
work fine
 All participants and spectators must be
at a safe distance
 At least 15 feet from launch pad
 Behind the launch control
OCPS Teacher Workshop

13. Rocket Preparation
Push flame-proof wadding into body tube
one piece at a time
ball loosely
Pack parachute
a little talcum powder helps
install engine (motor)
Must use A8-3 or A6-4 power
It locks into place
Insert igniter - Just prior to launch
The igniter tip is brittle ~ Handle Carefully
Make certain the wires do not cross
Remember - Help is strictly Hands-Off
Verbal coaching, demonstration and video instruction are acceptable

14. Launch Preparation
Slide rocket down launch rod
Rod may be angled into the wind to
control landing
An angle less than 30 degrees from vertical
must be used
 NAR Pink Book ~ Spot-landing contest rule #5.4
Launching Device
Attach alligator clips
One to each igniter wire
 There are no positive (+) or negative (-) leads
Remember - Help is strictly Hands-Off
Verbal coaching, demonstration and video instruction are
acceptable

15. Launch
Insert (or depress) safety key
You should get a ready light (or sound)
Give a loud countdown
Just like NASA does
Press the Launch Button
Watch your rocket fly!

16. 1…
Mark & measure the landings
Award certificates & submit your results

17. Mark & Measure
Mark the first touchdown spot of the tip of the
nosecone
 Golf tees, nails or screws make good markers
 If judges cannot agree on the spot – landing will be marked halfway
between the two spots in question
At least 3 closest landings launch again
 It is preferred to allow every competitor a second launch
 Closest average landing of the 2 launches WINS the local contest
Measure winner‟s distances to the nearest ¼ inch
 Any landing that is not measurable is recorded as 50 feet
 Fill out National Entry Form

18. Contest Wrap-up
 Closest average distance from the target after 2 launches
WINS!
 Only the winner‟s results must be measured with accuracy
 Average = landing 1 distance + landing 2 distance / 2
 Award Certificates to all
 Participants, Judges and Helpers
 may be done later
awards ceremony, parent night, etc.
 Fill out and submit National Entry Form
 Annual deadline posted on website
FLMS 2010 local winner
At G.WIZ

19. Contest Forms
Achievement Certificates
 Hand out to all participants
 Contestants, host, judges and helpers
Local Winner’s Certificate
 Award to contestant with the closest average
landing
 After 2 flights
Flight Log
 Use to record individual launches
 This form is optional
National Entry Form
 Fill out and get signatures
 Submit form to contest Headquarters by
Deadline
See complete contest rules for details

20. Local Event Requirements
 At least 10 Contestants
 Each contestant must build and launch their own rocket
 Two adult Judges
 One judge must have ‘official’ title
i.e. Principal, ranking Police or Fire Dept. Officer,
Public Official, Mayor, Governor, etc,
 Target
 20 feet from launch pad, easily visible
 Measuring Tape
 Measurements up to 50 feet will be taken, accurate to ¼ inch 2009 National Winners
Launch at Astronaut Hall of Fame
 Launch Field
 Sport fields (baseball, football, etc.) work fine
 National Entry Form
 Must be submitted to contest headquarters by Deadline

21. Certifying Results
National Entry Form
1. Requires signatures from:
Two adult judges
One must be a Public Official
School Admin, Police or Fire Officer, Scout District
Leader, etc.
Contest host may serve as judge
Winner (parent or guardian signature needed for minors)
Three Rocket Contest participants
2. Must be received at contest headquarters by Deadline
Posted on website
3. Entries must be on original, numbered form
Submission accepted by fax or e-mail

22. Quick Reference Guide
Length Diameter Weight not to exceed 2 ½ oz (71 g)
11 ½ ” to 15 ½ ” 7/8 ” to 1 ¼ ” *including parachute*without engine /
motor Note: No weight may be added to
Rocket affect altitude.
A postal scale is helpful
for weighing rockets
Plastic Diameter All or part of spill-hole may be
Parachute Minimum four shrouds 11 ¼ ” to 14 ½ ” removed
8” to 14” in length (max 4 ¼”diam.)
Fins 3 to 5
Engines A8-3 A6-4 See rules for details
(motors)
Length 38” Launch Angle
Launch Rod maximum less than 30° from vertical

23. Celebrate Nationally
6 National Winners Receive -
“Memories to last a lifetime and bragging
rights for generations to come!”
 Trophy
 Certificate
 Commemorative Space Shuttle Challenger
bronze coin.
Celebrate and launch at
 Astronaut Hall of Fame at
 Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
in Cape Canaveral, Florida
 Space Camp at the
 US Space & Rocket Center
In Huntsville, Alabama

24. One Competition / Two Celebrations
Winner Chooses Celebration!
Astronaut Hall of Fame Celebration
3 National winners celebrate at the
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
 Launch at the Astronaut Hall of Fame
Includes special tour for winners –
and their families!
Ride the Shuttle Launch Experience
 ….& more!
Winners celebrate in
The Rocket Garden
2009 National Winners
Launch at Astronaut Hall
Transportation and meals not included

25. One Competition ~ Two Celebrations
Winner Chooses Celebration!
Space Camp Celebration
3 National winners Receive your trophy
at the US Space & Rocket Center
Launch your winning rocket from Author - Homer Hickam
awards trophies to 2007 winners
Homer Hickam Field, Huntsville, AL
….& more!
Transportation and meals not included
Launching from Homer Hickam Field
Author - Homer Hickam
awards trophy to 2009 winner

26. .
If anyone should ask….
.
.
Rocket Science
“I never knew I could build a rocket.
Let alone make it FLY!”
Booker Middle School student Sarasota Middle
Braden River Middle
resistance gravitation math
Newton‟s Laws
friction chemistry triangulation force & motion
aerodynamics

27. N.A.R. MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODE
part 1
 1. MATERIALS. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of
my rocket.
 2. MOTORS. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will
not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended
by the manufacturer.
 3. IGNITION SYSTEM. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and
electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the
launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when
released.
 4. MISFIRES. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical
launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and
will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the
rocket.
 5. LAUNCH SAFETY. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that
everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch
rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am
uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability
before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe
distance.
 6. LAUNCHER. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to
within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I
will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To
prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is
above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.

28. N.A.R. MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODE
part 2
 7. SIZE. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and
will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9
pound-seconds) of total impulse. If my model rocket weighs more than one pound (453
grams) at liftoff or has more than 4 ounces (113 grams) of propellant, I will check and
comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations before flying.
 8. FLIGHT SAFETY. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes,
and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.
 9. LAUNCH SITE. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as
shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no
greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch
pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
 LAUNCH SITE DIMENSIONS. Equivalent Motor Type A ~ Minimum Site Dimensions
100 ft
 10 RECOVERY SYSTEM. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute
in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will
use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.
 11. RECOVERY SAFETY. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall
trees, or other dangerous places.

29. We have everything ready.
Contact us. The kids need your help!
Reach for the Stars
~ National Rocket Competition
 Jack & Kathy Colpas, program directors
Over 50 years of combined
 (941) 955-3958 experience as educators.
www.TheRocketman.net
Rocketman@SciConServices.com
Wishing you
light winds
on launch day!