NARCON 2019

The annual NARCON is a Technical Convention.
NARCON doesn't usually feature launches, but the Space X Crew Dragon spacecraft was launched early Saturday morning and could be easily viewed from the host hotel.
It's always great to meet people you have only seen in the Sport Rocketry magazine. I was surprised to see Lee and Betty Piester of Centuri attending. I had a constructive talk with Gary Rosenfield and Dane Boles of Aerotech/Quest.

My Saturday morning build session on Mastering Card Stock Shrouds was early. Many attendees were still registering when I started a few minutes after 8:00 a.m. I probably had 12 in the audience. Constructive information and some tips were shared.
Pat McCarthy had earlier asked if I would consider doing a full show on Saturday night. I didn't think my cruise ship act would be a good fit for a rocket convention but I did sneak in a quick musical saw number halfway through the session just to mix it up.

The Rocketry Show was represented by CG, Gheem and Daniel the Rocket Noob. That's CG at the microphone between recording many upcoming interviews.
I also did an interview. The guys quickly learned not to hand me a microphone as I tend to go on and on.




Gary Dahlke gave an informative talk called: "What Were They Thinking?." Gary worked on the Minuteman missiles with an inside look into launch site security and some questionable decisions.

Joe Bernard gave a BPS update talk. He is shown here answering questions in the vendor room. Joe is now selling components for "propulsively" landing a model rocket like SpaceX and Blue Origin.







John Beans of Jolly Logic talked about upcoming ideas and the possibility of no pyro ejection systems.





I was looking forward to finally meeting Peter Alway. I brought my copy of Rockets Of The World for an autograph.





While there were some rockets on display, this one was a stand out. Rick Boyette brought his Chinese Long March rocket. Rick's NARCON session discussed Wireless Launch Systems.


I did enter a Dr. Zooch Saturn V in the Apollo Scale Model Contest. There was a very detailed Saturn 1B and Steve Krystal brought his Apollo Capsule Abort model. Those two would get my vote.
The only downside to a good NARCON is trying to decide which sessions to attend. There are four running at the same time.
Not NARCON's fault, the Apollo Legends Luncheon temporarily ran out of sandwich lunch meat! Oh well, I had to find one "dig" in a well run convention.

NARCON 2019

I've started prepping for my presentation at NARCON 2019. My session will be sometime on Saturday, March 2.

"How to Successfully Make 
Card Stock Shrouds"

Why card stock shrouds? They have been the downfall of many rocket builds. Usually Poor fitting, creased and out of round. The weak link of rocket construction.
I'll have plenty of tips, display models, giveaways and maybe a short bit of music. (Very short on the music)
I can promise the presentation will be much more interesting than the topic!

Checking the NARCON vendor page I noticed Estes, Quest, Aerotech, ASP, Northcoast and JonRocket will be there! 

To go to the NAR / NARCON page: CLICK HERE

Cold Propellant Model Rocket Safety Code

In the blog comments, a question came up about substantial metal in a Vashon model rocket.
Tom's comment: 
"I was under the impression that metal body tubes weren't allowed . . ."
My response:
"I think the Vashon aluminum rockets got a "pass" from the NAR. Back then you couldn't get BP model rocket engines in California and a few other states. The liquid propellant Vashon rockets were our only choice. The NAR even had a cold propellant safety code." 

To see it in the Vashon catalog: CLICK HERE

Letter from N.A.R.

Wow, I wasn't expecting this!

Last year I wrote an article on how to "beef-up" the newer Estes Starter Igniters using Beacon Fabri-Tac glue and 4F Black Powder. 

I had used a igniter dip before but it continually dries out. You can thin it again by stirring in Acetone, but it is messy and takes a bit of work.

I have written a dozen articles for the Apogee Peak Of Flight newsletter, but Tim at Apogee didn't show an interest in this one. 

I knew the Sport Rocketry magazine offers N.A.R. membership for printed articles. I thought my article would have been too short (only 2 pages with plenty of pictures) to qualify.

Still, a great surprise and my NAR membership dues are good through January of 2020.

FREE Scale Modeling Book PDF

On the NAR Facebook page, Peter Alway just announced:

"My 1994 book on scale modeling, "The Art of Scale Model Rocketry" is now available as a free .pdf download from the NAR. Just click on the title on the "Free Samples" list."

It's on the NAR "Products" page. To download the book, CLICK HERE

It's a great read - and FREE!

Sport Rocketry Igniter Article

I picked up the mail today and the Sept./Oct. issue of the NAR Sport Rocketry Magazine.
I had submitted an article on beefing up the Estes Starter Igniters.
In the past I've had a some articles in the Apogee Peak Of Flight newsletter. This time it was in print!

The Estes clear tip starters are a lot like using old school bare nichrome. Starter ignition is slow and not practical for clustering.

I came up with an easy way to improve the reliability of the bare wire Starters without dealing with dip mixes that always seem to dry out.
With this method you coat the starter end with black powder. You make them up as you need them with no remixing of the liquid  dip coating.

After the issue has had it's run, I'll share the steps on this blog for those who aren't yet members of the N.A.R.

NAR Membership Renewal

I got my new NAR membership card in the mail this last week.
This is the cover letter that comes with the card.

Here's my new card.
If your membership has lapsed a few years you can ask for your old NAR number. Mine was and is 19086. I understand they are over 100,000 now.




I carry this cover letter in my range box. I've had to show it twice over the years to prove I had some sort of insurance. Once I showed it to the neighborhood maintenance guy, he also needed proof I lived in the development.
The other time somebody called the police! Luckily one of the policemen was familiar with rocketry. I let him launch one!

New Orlando Area NAR Section, ROAR #795

The newest Central Florida NAR Section #795 had a launch scheduled for Saturday, January 28. A burn ban postponed the actual launch but an informational get-together was held. I took a trip over to the site near Christmas, Florida to say Hi and check out the launch site. I got the grand tour from Adam Nehr, his wife Barbara and Matt Fonseca.
While the ROAR Section will host LPR launches, the original focus was directed towards future aerospace engineers, SEDs, teachers and enthusiasts. Larger rockets can follow a launch protocol with extensive data analysis.

Without a doubt this is the most sophisticated launch control I had ever seen.

That's Adam in the launch control center. This is an interior shot with everything built into his pickup bed.
A former experimental pilot, Adam has done photo and film analysis for NASA. His past work as an engineer and machinist came into play constructing controllers, launchers, video, a weather system, radio network, data tracking and even a remote fire extinguishing sprinkler.

The low power pads have baking pans serving as blast deflectors. Each launcher has flight angle control.

The inset picture shows an extended wire "first activation switch". When the rocket leaves the pad the switch activates the flight timers in the L.C.C.

The gantry on the mid power tripod launcher is interesting.
When remotely pulled back before launch, a string is pulled, a magnet released and the video camera is started. (See inset picture) No more long still videos or dead batteries while waiting on the pad!

Matt demonstrates a tool for freeing a rocket stuck high up in a tree.
The slingshot launches a lead weight tied to the fishing line and reel.

The next R.O.A.R. launch is scheduled for February 25.

NARCON Videos

Some NARCON 2016 sessions have been posted on YouTube: CLICK HERE
Lots of great information, the link above goes to James Duffy's presentation of the G. Harry Stine Archives.

NARCON 2016 Video Presentations Online

On the Rocketry Center Forum, Rich Holmes posted video links to the NARCON sessions: CLICK HERE That link will take you to the manufacturers session.

Questions about Quest Chinese engines and Q2G2 igniter supply are answered at about 24:35 in.

Gary also mentions Aerotech composite A, B and C engine production.

All the other presentations are on the right side of the screen.

From Ted Cochran, NAR President

From the emailed The Electronic Rocketeer - Issue #90- November 2015

Fellow NAR Member,

As I mentioned in the email I sent to all of you on November 21, our hobby has experienced its first on-field fatality. The incident was not associated with the NAR, but it nevertheless affects all us of who deeply care about our hobby's safety. 

In addition, as I wrote in the October eRocketeer, we also had a spectator struck by a land-sharking rocket last month at an NAR launch. These incidents, and some near misses we've also heard about, remind us that our hobby is not without risk. As our launches get bigger, with more flights and more spectators, we need to take more precautions--observing the safety code by itself may not be sufficient, nor the best we can do. 

We sometimes need to do more than meet the safety code requirements: When conditions warrant, we need to exceed them.

Please take a moment as individuals, and as Sections, to review your launch practices. If you can improve your safety by following any of the suggestions in the next article, please consider doing so. If your section needs funds to update launch equipment, flag lines, PA systems, warning systems, or other safety-related equipment, please ask for a Section grant.The NAR has sufficient funds set aside for just this purpose; no reasonable request will be refused.

 

As always,

Be safe, have fun, and pay forward, 

   

Ted Cochran
NAR President
NAR 69921 L3  

Update Information on the Fatal Model Rocketry Accident

An Email from  NAR President Ted Cochran 21 November 2015

Greetings,

As I reported on the NAR Facebook page last Sunday, I regret to have to inform you that a fatal on-field rocketry accident occurred in California last Saturday. I want to bring you up to speed on the status of our investigation. When I made the first announcement, there were few details available. We have since been working to understand what happened, so that we may all learn from it and prevent it from happening again.  Our Association has no standing in the matter except as concerned and experienced enthusiasts, but I've been in contact with law enforcement and witnesses and have a preliminary set of facts to share. First, to the best of our knowledge, no NAR or TRA members were involved in this incident, certainly not directly involved. No kids were involved, except, unfortunately, as witnesses. The deceased, Mike Bentley, a very experienced adult Scout leader, was at an annual BSA Council-sponsored rocketry and camping event for multiple scout troops called Rocket Rave, which has been conducted for at least several years. During the weekend, scouts complete tasks required for their Space Exploration merit badge, which requires two model rocket launches. During the launches, it has also been common for adults to launch their own, larger rockets. Around noon on Saturday, Mike engaged in a drag race with a second adult. Winds were likely within limits, safe distances were at least close to being met, and both rockets probably met the weight and power limits defined by the NAR Model Rocket Safety Code. The drag race was conducted from a dedicated area, to one side of the primary launch pads for the scouts to use to fly their conventional A through C powered model rockets, and about two dozen people were in the immediate vicinity. Mike's rocket was powered by a small APCP motor; the other rocket was powered by at least one, and possibly more, black powder motors. Both rockets launched; while Mike was watching his rocket, the other rocket arced over and came down ballistically, striking him in the face and causing severe injuries. Despite the best efforts of scouts, law enforcement, and medical professionals both at the scene and afterwards, his injuries were ultimately fatal. We know that the rocket that struck Mike was about four feet long and four inches in diameter. It had a cardboard body tube and a plastic nose cone. We don't know much else for sure. It is possible that the rocket was designed to fly on a cluster of motors, but at least one picture of the flight does not clearly show more than one motor firing. No parachute was deployed; none was seen at the accident site. At least one report indicates the rocket was damaged prior to flight. We don't know what motor(s) were used and whether they all ignited and functioned as designed. We don't know if applicable local laws were fully observed. I do know that the investigating law enforcement authority is not pursuing a criminal investigation at this time. The lack of an investigation will likely leave questions unanswered for some time. We don't know if the rocket would have been allowed to fly at a NAR launch; we can't definitively say whether the NAR safety code was observed or not. We will continue to gather information to the best of our ability, and we'll pass on significant new findings to you. Where does this leave us? We know that rocketry remains orders of magnitude more safe than any other outdoor activity we can name, provided the safety codes are followed. But it is not without risks; the safety code is our primary means of mitigating those risks. Everything in the safety codes is there for a reason, and I urge you to continue to observe-and when prudent, exceed-their recommendations every time you fly. Do preflight inspections of every rocket. Be especially careful with complex rockets. Pay special attention to the recovery system.  Tilt your launch guides away from the crowds: Plan to have good flights, but also plan for bad flights to end in safe places. Add to the safe distance standards when lots of observers are present. Make sure launch controllers and ignition methods are appropriate for the motor(s) being used. Have a spotter for every rocket in a drag race, near enough to the RSO to be able to get a warning out if necessary. Have people point at malfunctioning rockets if they see them. Make sure the crowd can hear the RSO. Confirm the stability of untested designs. If rockets are flying over spectators, stop and fix the problem. Offer to help people and groups who are just starting down the path that we have trod. Set a safe, positive, and helpful example. Please consider contributing to Mike's memorial fund through his gofundme site.  I'll continue to keep you informed, so that we can learn what we can from this unfortunate accident, and be safer because of it.

Sincerely, Ted Cochran President, National Association of Rocketry

New Model Rockets Building Techniques Article on NAR Website

I have re-worked the older How To Build Model Rockets pages, now called Model Rocket Building Techniques
They are already on the NAR website!

Revisions, new pictures, corrections and a few new ideas.
To see the new pages: CLICK HERE 

No other blog posts today, this was a big undertaking.
Back to the Quest Magnum and Quick Dip igniters tomorrow.

NAR Member Record!

NAR President Ted Cochran posted this on the NAR  Facebook page yesterday.
I've been in the NAR off and on since the early 1970s. My NAR number is an old one, 19806 SR.

If you re-join after not being a member for a while, you can request your old NAR number.

Stefan Jones NARCON 2015 Pictures

Stefan Jones posted some great pictures from the recent NARCON in Seattle, Washington.
To see them, CLICK HERE

My favorite picture is the Astron Mark on a original wooden Electro Launch unit.

Thanks for sharing the pictures Stefan!

Seattle NARCON and Model Rocket Display

The Seattle NARCON opened their long awaited Model Rocket Display this past weekend.
Here are some pictures from the NAR Facebook page by Jim Wilkerson.

The G. Harry Stine Archive boxes ready for unloading. I can see as many as 26 boxes.







The "Fusillade display" showing many different rocket styles.
The P.O.N.G. I built for Custom Rockets is to the upper left.
Directly below the PONG is my second model, an Estes RANGER.
Interesting - they put both of my builds on the same wire!






The NAR board and VIP group.
On the left is Lee and Betty Piester.
In the middle (in purple pants) is Gleda Estes. To her left is Bill Stine. Two more to her right is Vern Estes.

NAR Page On Facebook

To be honest, I didn't even know there was a NAR group on Facebook.
I'm not a Facebook fan - or as a friend calls it: "Look, I made a sandwich!"

I'll be checking back more often. There is some great pictures and content there.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2255560886/

Model Rocket Building Techniques - NAR Website

My first rocket building website was given to the NAR two years ago.
The NAR website has been updated and the Building Techniques pages re-formatted.
To check it out, CLICK HERE


From Ted Cochran, NAR President:
"As you probably know, last month we unveiled a new website, and we have been gradually moving content and cleaning up the loose ends ever since.
This weekend the content from your tutorial was moved from the old site onto the new site, and in doing so, it was reformatted consistent with the new website’s look and feel. 
Thanks again for paying forward by providing us with such valuable content!"

Ted Cochran
NAR President

A few techniques and web addresses are outdated, I'll see if those can be fixed.

I'm glad the website is in good hands.

NAR Membership Goal Reached

As announced in the NAR Electronic Newsletter:
The membership goal of 5,800 members was reached!

This is the highest number ever! 
To check out the membership benefits
and join the NAR, go HERE

Old Model Rocket Magazine Scans

I'd forgotten about these on the Ninfinger website. HERE

This is probably the entire run of the Model Rocketry magazine from October 1968 to Jan/Feb 1972.
There's great reading and plenty of scale information.

Back then this was the magazine you received as part of your NAR membership.
Issues were usually late and sometimes a month would be skipped.
I bought my first Model Rocketry magazine before I joined the NAR  I found it in the magazine rack at a liquor store.

I had a letter published in the November 1971 issue.
I did a plastic model conversion of the Renwal Nike Ajax.

The letter was published before I had a chance to fly it.
I don't remember if it was stable or not!
The editor re-wrote much of the letter.




The drawing I made was on the letters page.