How HIGH can you fly?

NCR Club Altitude Records

NCR has a rich history of very talented individuals who have worked to push altitude records. At least one NCR flyer holds a current Tripli G single motor record and previously held the Tripoli single motor L altitude record and the M hybrid record (for 15 minutes or so). Our current club E, I, and J single motor records exceed the existing Tripoli world records, but not by the required 2% needed to claim a new world altitude record or there was some small discrepancy that disqualified the returned altitude such as a missing nose cone on recovery. A number of other club altitude records are within spitting distance of Tripoli or NAR world records and there are quite a few flyers who have been bitten by the altitude bug. With the recent addition of a 35,000' AGL call-in on the club's already heady 20,000' AGL standing waiver, NCR can host attempts on world altitude records up to L motor class. We track all impulse class single motor records and are in the process of setting up the databases for hybrid, cluster, and staged flights.

Some rules have changed with record applications being simplified and the rules opened up a bit. On the other hand, Tripoli and NAR altitude record rules have NOT changed. In most cases they are more restrictive than the NCR club altitude record rules.

Club altitude records are established and maintained in order to recognize individuals or groups whose rockets have attained the highest altitudes in club history. They are intended to encourage friendly competition and provide a focus for creative efforts with the ultimate result of furthering the science and hobby of rocketry.

NCR Club Altitude Record Rules:

1. Altitude records may be claimed by any club member or group of people including at least one club member.
2. The flight must take place at a launch sanctioned by NCR, with the exception of flights taking place at venues with a waiver exceeding that available at NCR venues such as BALLS, XPRS and some LDRS venues.
3. Altitude must be witnessed by at least two other NCR club members.
4. Altitude attempt flights must comply with all applicable NAR and/or Tripoli safety guidelines (depending on whose rules are in effect at the launch), any and all launch site restrictions, and must pass the normal RSO check-in inspection.
5. The launch log or flight card must note the flight as an altitude attempt prior to launch.
6. Single motor, staged, clustered, complex, and boosted dart designs are all acceptable. Records will be maintained for all three categories of motor: Certified, Research, and Hybrid. The rocket component to reach the highest measurable altitude will be used for the purpose of the record. Currently ALL altitude records are for single motor flights. We are working on expanding the web page that tracks altitude records to include staged, clustered, complex and boosted dart categories as well as tracking records for both research motors and hybrids. Until that page is up, we are not accepting altitude record information for those categories - PLEASE hold on to them and submit them once the page is up and running.
7. The record class will be based on the total installed impulse of the motor or motors used as determined by the NAR Standards and Testing and the Tripoli Motor Testing Committee. For example, a rocket going for the G altitude record must have at least 80 Nsec and no more than 160 Nsec impulse at the time of launch. This specifically excludes, for example, taking the G altitude record with an F motor.
8. Any rocket used in an altitude record attempt must have a recovery device appropriate for the size and configuration of rocket being flown.
9. The rocket must be recovered in order to qualify - lost rockets are tough luck. Same rules as Tripoli altitude records apply meaning the rocket must be in flyable condition to qualify. (THIS RULE HAS CHANGED)
10. Altitudes may be measured using one of the following methods: barometric altimeter, or global positioning system. For barometric altimeter measurements, the unit must be on the list acceptable for Tripoli altitude records. (NAR does not recognize electronic altimeters for altitude records.) For GPS-established records, the entire raw GPS data stream must be made available along with the record application.
    
11. The new record must exceed the previous record by at least 1%'. (Tripoli rules require 2% or more)
12. Unless previously claimed, flights prior to October 1, 2000 will be not be eligible for altitude records.
13. **To apply for a record, do the following:
    • Make SURE you record the altitude of your flight on your flight card  post-flight and get your altimeter witnesses to sign or initial the flight card! This is key. Make sure the card or log entry indicates that this is an altitude record attempts.
    • Contact Warren Musselman, Contest Director, at webmaster@ncrocketry.org and let him know about your attempt. You'll get your name in lights and enshrined perpetually in the altitude record annals of Northern Colorado Rocketry. Make sure you include the following information in your e-mail: Flyer’s name, NAR and/or TRA number and cert level, rocket name and description, date flown, motor and delay (if any) used, launch site, name of LCO, method of altitude measurement, measured altitude(s), NCR witness names. GPS raw data file should be included as a text attachment to this email if GPS is used to establish altitude.
      
14. Additional information may be requested if the altitude claim is incomplete or is inconsistent with the information provided.
15. The absence or unavailability of requested information may be cause for denying the claim if the information provided is inconsistent with the claim.
16. While there is no statute of limitations on applying to claim a record, make your claims expeditiously. Records applied for more than 12 months after the flight will require substantial documentation and be viewed with considerable skepticism due to the difficulty of verifying claims.
17. Flights that take place at non-NCR venues REQUIRE a copy of the original flight card as well as the signature of the LCO or RSO from that venue as well as 2 or more NCR witnesses.
    
18. Flyers will be notified as to the status of their record claim and the results posted on the club web site.

The current NCR club altitude records are located HERE. Tripoli world altitude records are located HERE.

• Show off how smart and cool you are by being the first on your block to fly higher than anyone else - Tripoli and NAR records aren't that unreachable...

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Published on: 2005-04-12 (5967 reads)