Launching Requirements

5.1 Range Safety Officer

During all operations concerned with the launching and flight of model rockets, all authority for the safety of flying field operations shall be vested in a Range Safety Officer (RSO) who must be an NAR member eighteen (18) years of age or older. If the RSO leaves the flying field, he/she must relinquish his/her duties and responsibilities to an RSO who must also be a member of the NAR eighteen (18) years of age or older.

5.2 Flying Field

The flying field shall be an area whose shortest dimension is no less than one-fourth (1/4) the anticipated maximum altitude of the rockets to be flown. The flying field should not contain or be adjacent to high voltage lines, major highways, multi-story buildings, or other obstacles. The launching location must be no closer than 10 meters to the boundaries of the flying field.

5.3 Safety Check

All model rockets presented for operation at a flying field may be permitted or denied flight by the Range Safety Officer (RSO) or Safety Check Officer (SCO) on the basis of his/her judgment with respect to safety.

5.4 Launching Device

A launching device or mechanism must be used that restricts the entry in its pitch axis until sufficient flight velocity is attained for safe, predictable flight. Recommended launching devices are a steel launch rod, tower, rail, or piston.

5.5 Launcher Height

No entry may be launched with its aft most part more than 2 meters above the ground.

5.6 Momentum

A launching device must not impart to the entry any velocity or change of momentum except that caused by the model rocket motor(s) contained in the entry.

5.7 Ignition

Ignition of an entry must be conducted by remote electrical means from a distance as required by the Model Rocket Safety Code, and must be fully under the control of the competitor or Launch Control Officer (LCO) launching the entry. All persons in the vicinity of a launch must be advised that a launch is imminent before an entry may be ignited. A minimum five-second audible countdown must be given before ignition and launch of an entry. A competitor will always be allowed to use their own launching device, and to launch at the time of their choice, within limits set by the RSO.