National Association of Rocketry

Formal Certification Procedure

Levels 1 and 2

The NAR was created in 1957 as an advocate of the model rocketry hobby. Over the past four decades the hobby has grown to encompass rocket motor types and performance unavailable to the modeler at the NAR's inception. In response to this growth the NAR offers a certification process which permits individuals to purchase and use rocket motors whose physical constraints and performance exceed traditional model rocket boundaries. Rocket motors which exceed model rocketry motor definitions and the models that use these motors are collectively referred to as high power rocketry.

Certification for high power rocketry consists of three progressive levels:

Level 1 allows the purchase and use of H and I impulse class motors. Certain F and G motors may also require Level 1 certification for purchase and use.
Level 2 allows the purchase and use of J, K, and L impulse class motors and hybrid rocket motors.
Level 3 certification allows the purchase and use of M, N, and O impulse class rocket motors.

The procedures for Level 1 and Level 2 certification are documented below.

Level 3 certification requires in-process reviews of the certification model's design and construction prior to flight. Level 3 certification is covered in an application separate from the Level 1 and Level 2 paperwork.

Please note that the NAR high power certification is only one consideration when purchasing and using high power rocket motors. Compliance with local and state laws as well as federal regulations (e.g., FAA FAR Part 101) is also required.

High power certification is intended to provide a measure of the modeler's competence to avoid gross violations of good modeling practice and safe model operation. The program is not foolproof. A single demonstration of a modeler's skills does not guarantee consistent safe performance. The certification program does not replace competent range personnel (note that high power range safety officers will require high power certification per NFPA 1127) to provide assurance of safe models and operating practices.

Who Needs High Power Certification?
A person needs high power certification if he:
1. Launches models containing multiple motors with a total installed impulse of 320.01 Newton-seconds or more, or
2. Launches models containing a single motor with a total installed impulse of 160.01 Newton-seconds or more, or
3. Launches rockets that weigh more than 53 ounces (1500 grams), or
4. Launches models powered by rocket motors not classified as model rocket motors per NFPA 1122, e.g.:
  1. Average thrust in excess of 80.0 Newtons
  2. Contains in excess of 2.2 ounces (62.5 grams) of propellant
  3. Hybrid rocket motors
Minimum Requirements
1. The individual seeking high power certification must be a minimum of 18 years old at the time of certification. A driver's license or a birth certificate is an acceptable proof of age. Note: Other requirements, e.g., 21 years old minimum age, U.S. citizenship, and/or no felony convictions, are imposed by federal, state, or local authorities. Federal requirements for a Low Explosives Users Permit (LEUP) are not satisfied by NAR high power certification. This document does not supersede any requirements imposed by the authorities having jurisdiction.
2. The individual must be a member in good standing of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) at the time of certification. Evidence of NAR membership will be requested prior to the certification attempt. Acceptable evidence of membership includes the NAR membership card, a canceled check indicating payment of membership fees, or participation in a NAR event where membership status is verified and indicated on the event materials.
3. Motors used for certification attempts must be currently certified by the NAR, or by another organization (e.g., Tripoli) with a recognized certification program. Manufacturer's designations, not certification test data, will be used to identify suitability for the certification level being attempted (e.g., an H128 is an H, a G75 is a G).
Certification Teams
1. The certification team consists of two individuals who are a minimum of 18 years old and are members in good standing of the NAR. The certification team members must be unrelated to the applicant. Members of Tripoli, unless they are also members of the NAR, cannot participate on a certification team.
2. At least one of the team members must be already certified to a level equal to the certification level being attempted, e.g., a team member must be certified at Level 1 to judge another individual's Level 1 certification attempt.
3. Level 1 certifications may be administered by a single NAR Level 2 certified individual. The two certified individuals requirement is waived in this case.
4. Certification attempts and written tests must be witnessed in person by the certification team. Video recordings of a certification flight are not acceptable.
Certification Process and Documentation
1. Certification may be accomplished at any launch where sufficient individuals meeting the requirements of paragraph 2 are available.
2. FAA regulations requiring notification or waivers must be complied with. The launch site must have a FAA waiver for high power models (greater than 3.3 pounds launch weight and/or 4.4 ounces of propellant) in effect at the time of launch. All conditions and restrictions imposed by the FAA must be satisfied and followed.
3. The individual attempting certification must complete a NAR High Power Certification Application prior to his certification attempt. If Level 2 certification is desired the individual must provide proof of previous Level 1 certification. Proof of previous certification includes the high power certification card or a NAR membership card showing the Level 1 certification level.
4. The model will be subjected to a safety inspection prior to flight. The safety inspection form is on the back of the NAR High Power Certification Application. During the safety inspection the modeler will be expected to provide oral answers to technical questions related to the safety and construction of his model. The questions may include (but not limited to) identification of the model's center of gravity and center of pressure, methods used to determine model stability, and interpretation of the rocket motor's designation. The certification team will initial (or check) the blocks indicating that model safety, motor certification, and the existence of a FAA waiver (if required) in effect were verified prior to flight.
5. The individual will fly his model. The flight must be witnessed by the certification team members. Stability, deployment of the recovery system, and safe recovery should be considered when evaluating safety of the flight. Models experiencing a catastrophic failure of the airframe, rocket motor, and/or recovery system (e.g., shock cord separation) will not be considered as having a safe flight.
6. The model must be returned to the certification team after flight. and be inspected to verify engine retention and for evidence of flight-induced damage. The certification team will initial the blocks indicating that a safe flight was made and that the post-flight inspection was satisfactory. In general, the guideline for acceptable flight damage is that the model could be flown again without repair. It is left to the judgement of the certification team to differentiate between flight damage and "normal" maintenance to assure reliability (e.g., shock cord replacement to prevent future flight problems). "Zippering" of the body tube is another area of flight damage left to certification team judgement for acceptability.
7. The certification team will sign the certification sheet to indicate that the certification attempt was successfully completed. Both the certification sheet and the certification card must be signed. The certification card and the certification sheet are normally returned to the certifying individual after the flight. At club launches or NAR sponsored activities (e.g., NARAM, NSL) the certification sheets may be retained by the event sponsors to be sent to NAR Headquarters as a group. In that event, only the certification card is returned to the certifying individual.
8. The certification sheets and Level 2 written tests (if applicable) are returned to NAR Headquarters. No fees are required. The certification sheets with tests must be returned by the certified individual or the event sponsors to NAR Headquarters to allow updating the NAR database. A new NAR membership card will be issued showing the certification level upon receipt of the certification paperwork.
9. The certification card is valid for one year after the certification date or until the end the NAR member's membership, whichever comes first. The card is recognized as proof of the certification level. The certification card should be destroyed upon receipt of a new NAR membership card which shows the certification level.
10. Falsification of data or statements by the certifying individual will result in revocation of the high power certification. Falsification of data or statements by the certification team, e.g., failure to secure a FAA waiver, can result in revocation of the team members' NAR memberships.
Level 1 high power certification
(160.01 to 640.00 Newton-seconds impulse)
1. The modeler must demonstrate his ability to build and fly a rocket containing at least one H or I impulse class motor. Cluster or staged models used for certification may not contain over 640.00 Newton seconds total impulse. Single use, reloadable, or hybrid technology motors are permitted. The modeler must assemble the reloadable motor, if used, in the presence of a certification team member.
2. No written examination is required.
3. Certification at this level permits single or multiple motor rocket flights with motors having a maximum total impulse of 640.00 Newton seconds.
Level 2 high power certification
(640.01 to 5120.00 Newton-seconds impulse)
1. The modeler must demonstrate his ability to build and fly a rocket containing at least one J, K, or L impulse class motor. Cluster or staged models used for certification may not contain over 5120.00 Newton seconds total impulse. Single use, reloadable, and hybrid technology motors are permitted. The modeler must assemble the reloadable or hybrid motor, if used, in the presence of a certification team member.
2. A written examination is required to demonstrate knowledge of the regulations and laws pertaining to high power rocketry. Questions concerning basic rocket technical knowledge, e.g., center of pressure and center of gravity relationships, will also be included.
  1. The examination will contain 33 questions in the multiple choice format.
  2. The questions will come from a 50 to 100 question pool of previously published questions and answers.
  3. The passing grade is 88%.
  4. The test may be taken only once in a 30-day period.
  5. The test must be completed prior to the flight attempt. The flight attempt should be made as soon as reasonably and safely possible after successful test completion. The written test will not have to be repeated if the flight attempt is completed within one year of taking the written test. Tests should be retained until the completion of the certification flight and sent with the application form to NAR Headquarters.
  6. Tests are available from:
    
    NAR HQ
    PO Box 407
    Marion, IA 52302
    800-262-4872
    nar-hq@nar.org
  7. Master Exams and Key Sheets are provided by NAR Headquarters to each section for distribution to their certification team members or to a section officer (e.g., advisor, president). It is the responsibility of the section to make copies of these exams on an as-needed basis for their members.
    
    Tests can also be provided by NAR Headquarters to the individual on a case by case basis to be evaluated when the test is requested. The tests are sealed to prevent accidental disclosure of the questions. The tests should remain sealed until taken. Send and email to NAR Headquarters when requesting individual tests and allow one week minimum prior to a certification attempt to receive the test in the mail.
3. Certification at this level permits single or multiple motor rocket flights with motors having a maximum total impulse of 5120.00 Newton seconds.
Administrative items
1. NAR members who are currently Tripoli Level 1 certified may grandfather at the NAR Level 1 by completing the identification portion of a NAR high power application and attaching proof of current Tripoli certification (e.g., photocopy of Tripoli consumer confirmation card) to NAR headquarters with a request that their certification level be updated.
2. NAR members who are currently Tripoli Level 2 certified may grandfather at the NAR Level 2 by completing the identification portion of a NAR high power application and attaching proof of current Tripoli certification (e.g., Tripoli consumer confirmation card) to NAR headquarters with a request that their certification level be updated.
3. Tripoli certifications will be honored at NAR launches. A current Tripoli consumer confirmation card is required as evidence of Tripoli high power certification at launches.
4. Lapses in the NAR membership over one year will void all certifications. Certifications will have to be repeated starting with Level 1.

Revision of 21 Mar, 2005

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