Launch Safety & Recovery Procedure Flashcards

What is the NAR's recommended minimum stability margin for a high-power rocket, expressed in calibers?

Answer: 1.0 caliber

A minimum stability margin of 1 caliber (one body diameter) is the general NAR recommendation to ensure stable, predictable flight.

Under FAA regulations that apply to NAR high-power rocketry, what is required for rockets weighing more than 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg) at liftoff?

Answer: FAA notification under 14 CFR Part 101

14 CFR Part 101 governs amateur rockets and requires FAA notification for rockets exceeding specific weight and impulse thresholds.

Which of the following recovery system components should be inspected for wear or damage BEFORE every high-power flight?

Answer: Shock cord, parachute, shroud lines, and harness attachment points

All recovery components — shock cord, parachute, shroud lines, and attachment hardware — must be inspected before each flight to prevent recovery failures.

What is the purpose of 'dog barf' (cellulose wadding or fire blanket) placed above the motor in a rocket?

Answer: To protect the recovery system from ejection charge gases and hot particles

Wadding or a fireproof blanket shields the recovery parachute and shock cord from the hot gases and burning particles produced by the ejection charge.

If a NAR RSO determines that a rocket's fin attachment appears structurally inadequate, what authority does the RSO have?

Answer: The RSO has authority to reject the rocket and prohibit the flight

The RSO has full authority to reject any rocket that does not meet safety standards, regardless of the flier's certification level.

What is a 'CATO' (catastrophic failure) in high-power rocketry, and why is it a significant safety concern?

Answer: A motor that ruptures or explodes during ignition or burn, sending debris in all directions

A CATO involves a motor case failure that can scatter high-velocity shrapnel across the launch area, posing severe injury risk to everyone present.

What must a NAR-certified Level 2 flier do if they wish to fly a motor that exceeds the Level 2 total impulse limit (10,240 Ns)?

Answer: Obtain NAR Level 3 certification before flying that motor class

Level 3 certification is required to fly motors with total impulse exceeding 10,240 Ns (M and above), as it involves higher risk and advanced competency requirements.