New Table of Contents 

To help you navigate the wealth of information

• National Rocketry Competitions
• Rocket Starter Sets
• Build/Launch Supplies
• Rocket Recovery Methods
• Beyond the Basics...Competition
• Competition Supplies
• Competition Event Tips
• Rocket Plans Online
• Rocket Simulation
• Rocketry Organizations
• Rocket Suppliers
• Online Rocketry Resources
• Conclusions

National Rocketry Competitions 

Fame, Glory and Prizes

NARAM 2008

The National Association of Rocketry's Premier Event will take place in this year in Washington D.C. July 26 - August 1, 2008.

Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)

The 2006 competition wrapped up in May and results can be found on their web site. The competition is for students in 7th through 12th grade. The 2008 contest is a Dual Egg loft trying to reach 750 ft. and stay aloft for only 45 seconds.

Safety 

Please be Safe.

NAR safety code

The National Association of Rocketry's safety code

NAR Registered Clubs

Contact local clubs to get information on where and when the club launches in your area. These organizations are a great resource when you are starting this hobby.

Rocket Starter Sets 

Buy a simple kit to get started.

Estes Mini Super Shot

This estes kit contains rockets which use a small A engine and do not require a large area to launch. Since the rockets are all plastic and a bit heavy, be sure to launch the rocket at a slight angle away from people.

Estes Alpha

This kit comes with a rocket that can use a wide range of engines.

Quest AeroSpace Kits

Quest has a few starter sets to choose from, I have enjoyed building and flying some of their kits.

Simple Rockets to build or buy already built. 

Buying pre-built rockets can get you to the launch pad quickly and you can use these for competitions. Check out the few that I list from Amazon below. The StormCaster is highly recommended because of its sturdy construction.

Estes Lucky Seven. A engine.

Estes Cosmic Cobra and Army (kit).

Estes SnapShot (take pictures) and Speed Freak (measure speed).

Blue Ninja Estes Rocket D12 engine

Quest Penetrator Rocket C engine

Build/Launch Supplies 

Useful tools and materials to have on hand.

• Tite Bond II wood glue. Used for rocket assembly. Use CA (cyanoacrylate) glue or other quick setting glue for paper rockets. Paper can wrinkle if a slow drying glue is used.
• Exacto Knife. Useful when cutting balsa wood. Sometimes rocket kits have pre-cut parts, but they will still be attached to the sheet in a few places.
• Exacto Saw. Great for cutting body tubes when building a custom rocket. These are very fine toothed saw blades.
• Scissors. Cutting paper pieces. Shock cord mounts are often made of paper.
• Masking tape. Useful to tightening loosen fitting nose cones as well as helping engines fit in the body tube tighter if you do not have an engine hook.
• Ruler/Tape measure. measuring rocket parts (body tubes, fins). A metal ruler is handy when cutting out fins with an Exacto knife. A metric tape measure can be used to measure rocket lengths of rockets used in super-roc competitions and is part of the scoring.
• Extra Wadding (non-flammable). Some people purchase non-flammable wall insulation to save money because by volume it is cheaper than off-the-shelf wadding.
• Extra igniters. Igniters do fail from time to time. Usually each engine pack, if purchased from WallMart will include one extra igniter and Wadding.
• Elastic thread. Used to help reduce the shock when the recovery device is deployed. It is very handy to combine with kevlar thread when launching egg lofters.
• Spare batteries. Be sure to have an extra set in case your batteries run low and you can no longer ignite the igniter. It is no fun to hike to a safe place to launch and be unable to do so.
• If you plan to build rockets out of other materials, such as paper or transparency film, it is handy to build a cylinder out of used engines. Drill out left over engine material from the spent engine. Slide the engines onto a dowel rod and glue them down. This cylinder can be used to roll the paper rocket and help hold it while you glue it together.
• Modeling Clay. Clay is used sometimes to help add weight to the nose cones and help balance the rocket. It is very handy for trimming rocket gliders to fly better.

Rocket Recovery Methods 

Save your fins, use an appropriate recovery method.

• Parachute. A parachute is the most common recovery method used. Common sizes are 9" (inches), 10" 12", 15", 18", 24" and 30". Parachutes are made of plastic, mylar and nylon. Add a swivle to your parachute to keep it from getting twisted up. Mylar parachutes come in many different weights. I use 1/4 mill aluminized polyester parachutes for competitions.
• Streamer. A long piece of material which will slow the rockets fall back to earth, but will not slow it as much as a parachute. I use flagging tape and mylar sheets from the local hobby store to make streamers. Competition rockets use 5" x 60" mylar streamers, depending on the contest.
• Tumble. With tumble recovery, a rocket tumbles back to the earth. You must be careful during launch to make sure the rocket falls clear of objects and people.
• Glide. Rocket, boost and flexi-wing gliders glide back to the ground. A rocket-glider glides back as a single piece. Boost and flexi-wing gliders connect to a launch rocket then separate and the glider glides back and the rocket is often returned with a streamer.
• Helicopter. A helicopter rocket spins to slow down its decent. These are really cool to watch and do not require a parachute. There are lots of different helicopter designs with at a variety of difficulty levels.

Pictures of Competition Rockets I have built. 

The pictures below are of the more interesting competition events. From very long superrocs, to the very small 1/8th A micromax, to helicopters, gliders and egg lofters.

Custom Paper Super-Roc A engine 62 inches tall

Micro Maxx Flexi-wing, rocket glider, delta gliders, launch pods

Helicopter, A engine

Edmonds Deltie

Vellum Dual Egg Lofter. 21inches long. Used 36 inch parachute. 1st Place time!

Beyond the Basics...Competition 

A good way to test your skill and get some recognition.

• Once you have built a few kits, you may realize that rocket building is not too difficult and want to enter local competitions. Members of the National Association of Rocketry can compete in regional and national events. Rocketeers compete in three age groups or as a team. Trophies or ribbons are awarded to winners in each age group, for each competition.
  
  Competition events can be wide ranging. For some events off-the-shelf rockets can be used but for others it is best to build from scratch. Events usually fall into one of a few categories.
• The simplest event is a spot landing competition. A recovery method is chosen for the event then each person tries to get their rocket closest to a target. Sounds easy but it depends on the distance to the target while still having a safe flight. Often competitors use heavy underpowered rockets. Get the timing wrong and you might end up with a 'lawn dart'.
• In a duration event you are trying to keep your rocket aloft the longest. Each launch is timed and recorded. One variation on a duration event is random duration. A contestant puts together a rocket, engine and recovery method to stay aloft only for as long as the chosen duration.
• In altitude events you try to reach the highest altitude. Spotters record the azimuth and elevation then the achieved altitude is calculated. Variations on altitude events include, random altitude where you try to put together a rocket and engine combination to achieve the chosen altitude. There is also a predicted duration event where you get one chance to get closest to the target height.
• Other events judge building ability and include sport scale and future fiction. There is also a plastic model conversion competition where builders make an off the self model, not intended to be flown, into a rocket.
• Super-roc. This competition will fall under the duration or altitude category but requires that the rockets be quite long, given the engine size required to be used. For example, a super-roc rocket using an A engine (13mm) must be between 75 and 150 centimeters long (30 - 60 inches). The picture at the top of the lens is my F Superroc which was just over 13 feet tall. Recently they have been suggestions to cancel this type of event due to the hight occurrence rate of failures. Overall, the point of these competitions is to test your building skills.

Competition Supplies 

The tools and materials serious competitors have on hand.

• Fast setting Glue. CA (cyanoacrylate) or other glue used to repair or build rockets quickly. CA comes in different types often labeled Fast, Medium or slow depending on how quickly it dries.
• Mylar tape. To reduce weight, do not install the metal clips to hold in engines. Use Mylar tape to hold the end of the engine to the body tube. Also use masking tape around the engine to help it fit tighter in the rocket body. It is like the rocketeer's duct tape!
• Kevlar thread. Used to tie the main rocket body to nose cone.
• Spare parachutes in multiple sizes. Mylar parachutes are preferred for competitions. Nylon chutes are also available in multiple sizes.
• Balsa wood. Use for spare parts or custom builds such as gliders. Hard landings can break rocket fins.
• Small digital scale to weigh your rockets or components.
• Swivels. Attach to the parachute cord to allow it to untwist if the rocket spins.
• Sanding Sealer. Use sanding sealer on your balsa fins to make them smooth and reduce drag. After the sealer dries use very fine sand paper to smooth the fins.
• Powdered Chalk. Preferrable red or brown to stand out against the background which is blue sky on a nice launch day. Chalk is used by the trackers to track altitude events. Place a good amount of chalk on top of the parachute before putting the nose cone on.
• Highlighters. Many competitors choose not to add weight to their rockets by painting them. Although it is sometimes easier to find a painted rocket than it is to find a brown one. Highlighers can be used to color your rocket.
• Spray paint. Sometimes it is best to make sure it is easy to spot your Helicopter rocket or gliders. Once the judges keeping time loose sight of the rocket, your time is up. The extra visibility may justify the additional weight of the paint. I usually buy orange or red florescent paint which stands out nicely against a blue or cloudy sky.
• Permanent Marker. All competition rockets must include your NAR number on them. Be sure to have a marker with you. It can also be used to add patterns to your rocket rather than paint it.
• Sand Paper. Various grit sizes. Ideally you want your rocket's fins to be shaped like the wing of an aircraft to reduce drag. Sand paper is used to shape rocket fins.
• Fiber Glass sheets. Used to make rocket fins. G-10 is a common size for smaller rockets.
• Spare Balsa Wood Nose Cones. Usually you use a metal eyelet screwed and glued into the nose cone to prevent the nose cone from becoming separated, which may lead to a disqualification. Be sure to have spare nose cones.
• NOMEX or KEVLAR material can be used to protect your recovery system from the ejection charge. If not enough wading is used below the recovery system, a parachute for example, there is a risk of having your parachute get melted by the ejection gases and not fully deploy.
• Baby Powder. Use the powder to keep a parachute from sticking together. Usually needed in humid areas.
• Rubber Bands. Some helicopter rockets use rubber bands to pull up the blades after the ejection charge goes off. Beauty supply stores carry small rubber bands useful when creating helicopter rockets.
• GPS Unit. If you start launching rockets with larger engines or on high wind days, a GPS unit with a sight-n-go feature can help you find your rocket. For most competition events, you must present you rocket to launch control for inspection following a launch. I use a garmin e-trex Vista.
• Egg Capsule. Either single or dual depending on the contest.
• Piano Wire .020 and .025 Piano wire is used too build competition helicopters and Flexi-Wing gliders. Hobby stores often carry the wire.

Competition Event Tips 

• Weight matters so use light weight materials. I have used paper rockets as well as overhead transperency film to build body tubes. Skilled builders also use fiber glass. I have had good success using vellum paper to build rocket body tubes which are very light.
• Flexi-wing gliders. Use the springs from a floppy diskette to hold wood pieces together. Light weight trash bags can be used for the glider. I have used plastic bags from the meat department to build some, but make sure the color is visible so the judges can see your glider. Piano wire is often used to make custom springs for the glider.
• Boost Gliders. Edmonds Aerospace makes many different models of gliders. I have had great results using the Delties made by Edmonds Aerospace.
• Rocket Gliders. A rocket glider contains the engine that was used to launch it, unlike a boost glider which usually separates from the rocket. Edmonds Aerospace makes many different types of rocket gliders.
• Parachute Duration. Be sure to have multiple parachutes handy. Mylar is preferred but there are nice nylon chutes available. Parachute folding is a skill. Never wind your strings around the parachute. Always fold some of the string into the parachute, make another fold and fold in some more string.
• Super-roc. The length is used as a multiplier to give a final score so build long! Some materials are forbidden, like fibre glass rods. I have a picture of a paper super-roc I built out of paper below and it took first place in this category during competition.
• Helicopter: know the Time/Thrust curves of the engines you will use. My son and I recently shredded a couple of helicopter rockets when we used B6-2 engines. The Estes catalog contains the time/thrust charts, keep a copy of this catalog with your launch supplies. Piano wire is often used for constructing hand-built helicopter rockets.
• Do not use the metal engine hooks when building a competition rocket. In competition most people attach the engine to the body tube with mylar tape.
• Launching. Determine if a tower launcher is available for you to use. Adding a launch lug to a rocket adds significant drag, up to 15%, and will decrease performance. Flis Kits often come with a pop lug.
• Launching. Piston launching adds great performance to a rocket. I have not learned this technique just yet but those who use it, get much better altitudes during competition events than those who don't.
• Egg Lofting. Eggs can be quite heavy. Get a good capsule and use some pillow stuffing to protect the egg in case of a rough landing. Pick out your eggs early so you can look for the smaller sized eggs. They should all weigh about the same, but you want to find the small ones. Vellum Egg Lofter idea that I have used.

Rocket Plans Online 

Plans from Rocket Shoppe

Rocket Shoppe has a plan search tool and provides access to a lot of rocket plans.

Paper Rocket Resources 

FlisKits Midnight Express

Download the rocket pattern which is a PDF file. I have printed this onto 110 pound card stock as well as 65 pound paper. They fly great!

Civil Air Patrol Rocket Bay

I have used this paper payload bay in competition. Remove the middle section if launching just a single egg. I used 110 pound card stock to print it on.

Civil Air Patrol Lemanski Dart

PDF file.

Vellum Paper Rockets

The above URL is the best I have found for information on competition vellum rockets. Check your local Art supply store for Vellum and or Mylar sheets.

Additional pictures of my rockets. 

Some rockets from the Micro Max Kit.

Paper Rockets, plans found at Fliskits.com

Paper $100 Dollar Bill RocketA10-3T streamer

1/4 A Vellum Superroc, 20 inches.Decorates the tree nicely.

8 foot Rocket. Used Estes Blue Ninja parts converted to the E engine size.

Rocket Simulation 

Test your design before you build it

The Rocket Simulator

Free online utility.

RockSim Software

Model rocket design and simulation software. Free trial version.

Rocketry Organizations 

National Association of Rocketry

The organization to join to compete in rocket competitions.

CRASH! : Colorado Rocketry Association of Space Hobbyists

A great Colorado rocketry organization of which I am a member, launching in Morrision at Bear Creek Lake Park. NAR#482

Northern Colorado Rocketry

NCR has a great launch site in northern Colorado and supports very high altitude launches. I saw an incredible launch this year at their Mile High Mayhem event.

Tripoli

A High Power Rocketry Organization

Fellowship of Las Cruces Area Rocketry Enthusiasts

I have also competed in a competition sponsored by FLARE group in New Mexico.

COSROCS

Colorado Springs Rocket Society, in Colorado.

SCORE

Southern Colorado Rocketeers. Pueblo NAR#632

Mile High Mayhem May 4th-6th, 2007 

Northern Colorado Rocketry - High Power Launch Example

Additional competition rockets I have built. 

1/4A Superroc. 19

Estes Baby Bertha Cluster (3 A engines) Rocket

My 1/2A Boost Glider made from a paper airplane plan, upgraded to balsa wood.

Amazon Sells Rockets! 

I like flying rockets. The nose cone of the Cosmic Cobra helicopters down while the rocket body uses a parachute. The StormCaster is a highly recommended rocket for competitions.

^#1

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Scissor-wing Transport Rocket

Scissor Wing Transport Rocket Kit by Estes Rockets more...1 point

Scissor Wing Transport Rocket Kit by Estes Rockets [1265] This Estes classic rocket boost glider is back! This exciting bird was the first to introduce the revolutionary concept of scissor-wing flight and recovery system. It features SST styling, high flight reliability and is capable of flight times of more than 60 seconds. The power pod features vertical stabilizer fins and is recovered with a parachute. Length: 23.4 in. (59.4 cm) Diameter: 0.976 in. (24.8 mm) Rotorspan: 16 in. (40.6 cm) Weigh...1 point

^#2

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Oracle Digital Video Rocket

Oracle Digital Video Model Rocket Kit by Estes Roc more...1 point

Oracle Digital Video Model Rocket Kit by Estes Rockets Digital Movies from Lift-offs to Landings See first hand what it looks like from your rocket's point-of-view to be blasted off and then recovered. The easy-to-use video camera lets you capture digital movies from liftoffs to landings. Save the movies to your laptop or PC using the included software and USB cable. Now you can capture digital movies of your rocket's flight profile! Imagain yourself in the capsule of your rocket and see what it...1 point

^#3

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Estes StormCaster Rocket Kit - 1301

Go big on a small budget! Powered by the C11 motor more...1 point

Go big on a small budget! Powered by the C11 motor, this big rocket can also be used with a D motor. Requires 3/16 inch Maxi launch rod (#302244) - sold separately.1 point

^#4

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Cosmic Cobra Rocket

Cosmic CobraThe Cosmic Cobra features a two-way re more...1 point

Cosmic CobraThe Cosmic Cobra features a two-way recovery system. The booster returns to earth using a 12 in. (30 cm) parachute, while the nose cone helicopters down gently using rotor blades. Length: 19.5 in. (49.5 cm) Diameter: 1.35 in. (34.3 mm) Weight: 3.1 oz. (88 g) Recovery: Booster - 12 in. (30 cm) Parachute; Nose Cone - Helicopter Fins: Two piece plastic Maximum Altitude: 530 ft. (162 m) Recommended Engines: B4-2, B6-2, B6-4, C6-3, C6-51 point

^#5

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Sr-71 Blackbird Rocket Kit

SR-71 BlackbirdBuild and fly the world's fastest j more...0 points

SR-71 BlackbirdBuild and fly the world's fastest jet! This SR-71 Blackbird is a scale model and includes authentic looking " Blackbird Skin" , nose cone, jet inlets, exhaust ducts and decals. Length: 19.0 in. (48.3 cm) Diameter: 0.976 in. (24.8 mm) Weight: 3.2 oz. (90.7 g) Recovery: 18 in. (46 cm) Parachute Fins: Die cut balsa Maximum Altitude: 600 ft. (183 m) Recommended Engines: B4-2, B6-2, B6-4, C6-50 points

^#6

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Hydrogen Fuel Rocket Set

This is rocket science! This fascinating model roc more...0 points

This is rocket science! This fascinating model rocket generates its own hydrogen fuel from ordinary tap water. Your budding scientist will love making fuel that is clean burning, environmentally safe, energy efficient and abundant enough for unlimited launches."Green" hydrogen fuel technology starts with plain water and included crystals of citric acid (found in lemon juice); you mix these two and pour them into the Fuel Generator. A red LED on the launch base indicates power is on; a...0 points

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Hobby Stores 

I have used these hobby stores to buy supplies.

Hobby Lobby

Check for their weekly advertisement as well as their Specials, there is often a 40% off any item coupon. Since I have a store close by, when the 40% off coupon comes out I stop by each day and pick up just 1 pack of rocket engines. Hobby Lobby usually only sells complete rocket sets rather than the parts to build custom rockets.

BRS Hobbies

I have used BRS Hobby's online store to buy parts to build custom rockets.

Hobby Town USA

This store has a good selection of rockets as well as a good selection of components to build rockets.

Rocket Suppliers 

Many companies make rocketry products and kits.

Apogee Rockets

Another good source for obtaining competition rocket supplies including educational information on getting started in rocketry.

ASP Rocketry

I have purchased supplies from ASP Rocketry. You can find light 1/4 mil aluminized polyester parachtes to use for competitions from this resource.

Edmonds Aerospace

A producer of many different types of boost and rocket gliders.

Estes Rockets!

NEW LAUNCH SETS! Taser XB-39 Eagleye - Digital Camera Plane Funny Car with Digital Speedometer
OracleDigital Video Camera RocketWatch actual Oracle launch videos: #1 Windows Media / Quicktime #2 Windows Media / Quicktime #3 Windows Media / Qu

FlisKits, Inc., Model Rocket Kits and Supplies

WHAT'S NEW!
Proud supporter of the Florida Winter Nationals 2006! 5...4...3...2...1...WELCOME...
...to the world of model rocketry! %uFFFD
FlisKits, Inc., would like to welcome all rocketeers to our site.%uFFFD Old and young,
novice and expert, model and high po

Quest Aerospace

I have built and enjoyed flying a few of the Quest rockets.

Sunward Aerospace Group

ALL Sunward products are custom made by us using materials made in the USA or Canada.

Online Rocketry Resources 

The National Association of Rocketry

The National Association of Rocketry is the oldest and largest sport rocketry organization in the world. Since 1957, over 80,000 serious rocket modelers have joined the NAR to take advantage of the fun and excitement of organized rocketry!

Rocketry Online

An online resource for model and high power rocketry.

Rocketry Forum

Online forum for the discussion of Rocketry.

Reader Feedback 

What do you think about this lens? What it your favorite rocket? Any tips to add?

General_Ripper_1999 Cool! Just discovered this site. Thanks for linking to SCORE NAR Section #632. Jason Unwin President SCORE Posted March 09, 2008

Amazon Rocketry Resources 

Handbook of Model Rocketry, 7th Edition (NAR Official Handbook)

by G. Harry Stine, Bill Stine

Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 05/10/2008)

Modern High-Power Rocketry 2

by Mark Canepa

Amazon Price: $29.25 (as of 05/10/2008)

Model Rocketry Handbook: 21st Century Edition

by Stuart Lodge

Amazon Price: $27.50 (as of 05/10/2008)

Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS

The GPS model I use for tracking rockets.

Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 05/10/2008)

Rocketry Items on eBay 

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by

Conclusions 

Spread your wings...give rocketry a try.

Thanks for taking the time to view this lens. I hope you have found the information useful and are excited to either get started in this hobby, or start competing in rocketry events.

Share your rocketry experience by building a lens. It's easy!

If it is too windy to launch, you might want to look at my "Go Fly A Kite...For Fun" lens. If it is too stormy, start up your Flight Simulator.

Thanks again,
--Todd