NARAM-66 will share the first part of the week with the FAI CanAm Cup event. FAI flying begins Monday June 23 and wraps up Wednesday June 25. NARAM-66 officially begins Tuesday evening, the 24th, with Classic Model turn in, culminating in the awards banquet Saturday evening, the 28th. Sport flying will operate throughout the period, June 23-29, and will support rockets with motors from 1/8A to G class impulse.

Mark your calendar now to attend the NAR’s Annual Meet. Take the opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones. We look forward to seeing you in Muncie!

 

Rockets may not be launched, per our safety codes, when the winds exceed 20 miles per hour (mph, 17.4 knots).  A question, when reading the windspeed, is how do you decide the winds are exceeding 20 miles per hour.

A reference to consider is the Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 1, Surface Weather Observations and Reports.  This document is available online under number FCM-H1-2019.  The purpose of this document is to define “the observing, reporting, and coding standards for all meteorological reports.”  Chapter 5 of this document discusses wind observations.

Section 5.4.3 defines how wind speed is determined.  Per this section “The wind speed shall be determined by averaging the speed over a 2-minute period.”  This section also provides a table, partially shown below, for estimating wind speed when instruments are not available.  Wind gusts, defined in Section 5.4.4, are rapid fluctuations in wind speed with a variation of 10 knots (11.5 mph) or more between peaks and lulls.  Wind speeds over a period of 10 minutes are examined to evaluate the presence of gusts.

Mph (Knots)	Specification
< 1.2 (<1)	Calm; smoke rises vertically
1.2 - 3.5 (1-3)	Direction of wind shown by smoke drift; not by wind vanes
4.6 – 6.9 (4-6)	Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; vanes moved by wind
8.1 – 11.5 (7-10)	Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag
12.7 – 18.4 (11-16)	Raises dust; loose paper; small branches moved
19.6 – 24.2 (17-21)	Small trees in leaf begin to sway

Rocketeers may determine compliance with the 20 mph (17.4 knots) limit by averaging the wind speeds over a 2-minute period.  If the average wind speed during a 2 minute period is 20 mph (17.4 knots) or less, rocket launches may proceed.  While the existence of gusts is averaged within the 2-minute period range, personnel should use judgement to avoid launches during a perceived gust.  Factors to be considered when launching at the upper wind speed limits include the stability of the rocket (rockets are less stable at launch), weathercocking (non-vertical flight), and the potential for rockets leaving the authorized flying field.

Digital hand-held anemometers (wind speed meters) are a suggested tool to measure wind speed. Various anemometer types (e.g. vane, cup, hot wire) are available.  Features to look for are changeable scales ( e.g. mph, knots) and wind speed averaging.  Some units include temperature and humidity measurements as well as being waterproof and having protective cases.  Depending on features, these devices can be purchased for under $100.00.  The NAR section grant can be used by your section to purchase one of these devices.

Stephen Lubliner

I attended a recent high power launch where a large and exciting project was to be flown.  The rocket contained a central 98mm motor and multiple outboard smaller HPR motors in a cluster.  The LCO announced the flight, yet one group had only moved one third of the required minimum personnel distance away from the launcher. I intervened and coordinated with the LCO and RSO to have all personnel move to the appropriate safety code minimum personnel distance for the complex impulse level. 

 

A hypothetical – the launch organizers do an excellent job laying out the launch banks, with L-pads at 300 feet and M pads at 500 feet from the flightline barrier.  This, though, requires all banks between the 300 or 500 foot mark to be cleared back to the barrier.  The in-between mid- and low-power banks must be cleared before launching L or M class motors from their respective banks. 

Complying with these personnel distances starts with the flier-of-record.  He/she should know and comply with, based on the total impulse of all installed motors, the proper separation distance.  Following this should be confirmation by the LCO/RSO/Launch Director.  While those mentioned have primary responsibility, all fliers should know and understand the requirements and restrictions in the safety code.  If something doesn’t sound right, speak up and get confirmation that the appropriate separation distances are being followed.

In the case of an incident with a flight where it’s later determined that proper separation distances were not followed, the NAR’s insurance coverage would be void. 

The Minimum Personnel distance table in the NAR High Power Safety Code is clear on the required distances based on total installed impulse and simple or complex (multiple installed motors) flights. 

Finally, fliers out on recovery must maintain awareness of follow-on launching as they return to the spectator/prep area.  Launch directors should establish and brief proper procedures for obtaining permission to transit back through the launch area and/or identify routes clear outside the minimum personnel distances. 

Launch safety is the responsibility of everyone attending the event – thanks for keeping our hobby safe.

Jim Wilkerson

NAR 29221 L3CC

For the 2025-26 Contest year, the following NRC events have been chosen...

• 1/2 A PD FAI
• 1/2 A SD FAI
• 1/2 A HD FAI
• A RG FAI
• C Egg Loft Altitude
• A Altitude

Active NAR Sections: 260

New Sections – The NAR would like to welcome the Lucky Star Rocket Club Section #995 out of Irvine, CA, the Gaucho Rocket Project Section #996 out of Santa Barbara, CA, and the Troy Model Rocketry Club Section #997 out of Troy, MI. For more about these Sections or to find the one closest to you, visit the NAR Club Finder page.  Want to charter a new NAR Section? Please go HERE.

Website Excellence Award – Like last year, Sections will only be eligible for the awards if they register their website to be judged.  Section leaders were sent information on how to register their sites before the deadline of June 30^th so if you did not receive it, contact the Section Activities Chairman. The judging will start in early July so make sure your site is up to date! You can visit the Website Excellence Award Web Page for more information about the award and to get an idea of what the judges will be looking for.

Sections Group – All Section Leaders are encouraged to join the Sections Group email list. To subscribe, send an the Section Activities Chairmanand request to be added to the Sections Group (please include your Section name, number, and role within the Section). Sections can also request their own individual subgroup for their membership by contacting the Section Activities Chairman.

Do you have any Section related questions? – Go to Section FAQ’s foundHERE.

Section Member Affiliation – Are you a member of a Section? Please log into your NAR account, go to your Member Profile page and scroll down to the “More Member Options”.  Click on the “Clubs/Additional Members” link to add the Section(s) you’re affiliated with.

Please Note: Adding a Section to your NAR Profile does not automatically make you a member of that Section. You are responsible for reaching out to the Section that you are interested in for details on how to become an actual member of that Section.

Respectfully,

Chuck Neff

SAC Chairman