NAR HPR Launch Safety & Recovery Procedure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NAR safety codes, what minimum delay is recommended between the launch command and ignition to allow personnel to move to safe positions?
- 1 second
- 3 seconds
- 5 seconds (Correct answer)
- 10 seconds
Correct answer: 5 seconds
A 5-second countdown is standard, giving personnel adequate time to verify range clearance and reach safe positions.
Question 2: If a high-power rocket motor ignites but the rocket fails to lift off (a 'hang fire'), what is the correct procedure?
- Approach immediately to check the igniter
- Wait at least 60 seconds before approaching (Correct answer)
- Disconnect the launch controller and approach after 30 seconds
- Pour water on the rocket immediately
Correct answer: Wait at least 60 seconds before approaching
NAR protocols require waiting at least 60 seconds after a hang fire before any approach, as delayed ignition can still occur.
Question 3: Which factor most directly determines the minimum launch site area required for a high-power rocket flight?
- Rocket weight
- Motor total impulse class (Correct answer)
- Number of spectators present
- Color of the recovery system
Correct answer: Motor total impulse class
The NAR and FAA site size requirements scale with motor total impulse class, ensuring rockets stay within the designated area.
Question 4: What does a 'motor certification' requirement mean in the context of NAR high-power rocketry?
- The motor has been certified safe by its manufacturer only
- The motor has passed third-party testing and is approved for use at NAR events (Correct answer)
- The motor's color coding has been verified
- The flier has personally tested the motor
Correct answer: The motor has passed third-party testing and is approved for use at NAR events
NAR requires that all motors used at sanctioned events be certified by an approved certifying organization such as NAR or TRA through standardized testing.
Question 5: During pre-flight recovery system checks, a flier notices the ejection charge is borderline weak. What is the best action?
- Launch anyway and hope the chute deploys
- Increase the ejection charge to a tested, appropriate size (Correct answer)
- Remove the chute and fly without recovery
- Notify the LCO and scrub the flight
Correct answer: Increase the ejection charge to a tested, appropriate size
Ground-testing ejection charges allows the flier to confirm deployment reliability before flight, and the charge should be increased to a verified level.
Question 6: What is the correct action if a rocket drifts outside the designated recovery area due to unexpected wind?
- Retrieve it without informing anyone
- Inform the LCO and seek permission before leaving the site boundary (Correct answer)
- Immediately drive off-site to chase it
- Call police to retrieve it
Correct answer: Inform the LCO and seek permission before leaving the site boundary
Leaving the launch site boundary requires LCO authorization to ensure range safety and landowner permissions are respected.
Question 7: Which of the following is a NAR requirement for arming an altimeter-based recovery system on a high-power rocket?
- Arming must occur before mounting the rocket on the pad
- Arming should occur after the rocket is vertical on the pad with personnel clear (Correct answer)
- The altimeter must be armed by the RSO only
- Altimeters do not need to be armed at NAR events
Correct answer: Arming should occur after the rocket is vertical on the pad with personnel clear
Altimeters should be armed with the rocket vertical on the pad and all personnel at a safe distance to prevent inadvertent ejection charge firing.
NAR HPR Launch Safety & Recovery Procedure 3
According to NAR safety codes, what minimum delay is recommended between the launch command and ignition to allow personnel to move to safe positions?