Mid August Contest Board News

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At the start of NARAM 65 and the end of the North Coast Cup/ US Team flyoffs, it was noticed by many rocketeers that a large number of contest fliers (73 US participants) who flew the cup event and US team flyoffs, most chose not to stay and fly the NARAM and NRC events.  Only 15 NAR youth members participated in NARAM this year compared to 38 for FAI. This happened after the 2022 US team flyoffs as well,  but was dismissed by many at the time.  To see it happen again, especially after the WSMC in Texas and low NARAM 64 turnout, it was obvious that we (NAR and FAI) have become two very separate competition communities. Also NAR competition has within its rules the charge to crown its national champions, yet not select those that would represent the US at a world championship.  The NAR Contest board has long struggled with these issues, which came to a head during NARAM 65. 

As a result of discussions with many competitors (NAR and FAI) and Contest board members during NARAM 65, the NAR contest board decided a change was needed in the NRC events for 2024-2025.

To encourage the influx of FAI flyers into NRC and NARAM, we decided to change the streamer event to FAI ½ A streamer duration.  During the NRC year it will be scored as the sum of 2 flights. In addition, the NARAM parachute event was changed to FAI ½ A parachute duration.   An emergency RCP has been approved to support this change.  Other important changes to continue this blending of competition will be coming up in regular RCPs very soon. 

Among other changes considered by the Contest board is the need for a shift to emphasize outreach and mentoring to build our base of competitors, especially youth, as demonstrated by the FAI community.

These changes will work to blend our two communities of competition rocket fliers and build our numbers for the future.