SoAR 2016 Contests

Contest Calendar

March 12 C impulse Egg Lofting Altitude
July 23 B impulse Super-Roc Altitude
October 22 A impulse Helicopter Duration

B impulse Super-Roc Altitude

Contest Date

July 23,2016

Scope

Super-Roc Altitude Competition comprises a single-staged
model rocket whose body length is no less than 100cm and no greater than
200cm.  The purpose of this competition is to achieve the greatest altitude
possible with the longest rocket possible without impairing the structural
integrity of the rocket.

Structural Failure

An entry that comes apart, bends so as to crimp the body, or
has a similar structural failure prior to ejection shall be disqualified.

Separation

The model is allowed to separate into two or more unattached
parts after ejection, provided that each part conforms to the provisions or
Rule 3.5.

Construction

Entries with bodies or significant structural parts made from
hard or potentially unsafe material (e.g. hardwood doweling or fiberglass
shafts) shall not be allowed,under provisions of Rule 1.1.

Scoring

Super-Roc Altitude Competition shall be scored as follows:
the length in centimeters of the model, as measured from the tip of the nose
cone to the aftmost end of the motor nozzle, up to the maximum length of 200cm,
shall be awarded as Static Points.  No additional points are awarded for any
length beyond 200cm.  The altitude of the model in meters, as tracked and/or
reduced, shall be awarded as Flight Points.  The Static Points and the Flight
Points thus obtained shall be multiplied to determine the final score.  The
contestant achieving the highest score shall be declared the winner.

Motor Class Minimum length cm (inches) Maximum length cm (inches)
B 100 (39.37) 200 (78.74)

 

A impulse Helicopter Duration

Contest Date

October 22, 2016

Scope

Helicopter Duration Competition comprises any
single-staged model rocket that uses the principle of autorotation as the sole
means of recovery. The purpose of this competition is to achieve the longest
flight duration using an autorotating recovery system.

Autorotation

Each entry must be decelerated during descent by its
autorotating recovery device. The resulting autorotation must be around the
vertical axis. A model that descends nose first, or flips over during descent
is permitted.

Recovery

Recovery devices employing flexible (e.g., plastic film
or cloth) surfaces are prohibited. Entries using a recovery system that is designed
to act (or that actually acts) in a manner similar to a parachute, a rigid
inverted bowl, or similar techniques are specifically excluded from this
competition.

Scoring

The contestant with the longest duration flight from liftoff
to landing in seconds will be the winner.

C Impulse Egg Lofting Altitude Competition

Contest Date

March 12, 2016

Scope

Egg Lofting Altitude Competition comprises a model
rockets that will carry, as a totally enclosed payload, one raw USDA Large
hen’s egg, with a mass of no less than 57 grams and no more than 63 grams, and
measuring no more than 45 millimeters in diameter. If the model is staged, the
egg must be enclosed in the uppermost stage of the model. The purpose of this
competition is to carry an exceedingly fragile payload to as high an altitude
as possible and to recover the payload without damage. The egg is intended to
simulate (in miniature) an astronaut, who must be properly cushioned and restrained
to withstand the forces of acceleration and the shock of landing. No material
may be affixed to the egg (e.g., glue or tape).  The egg shall be carried
inside the rocket in a horizontal orientation.

Eggs

The Safety Check Officer or other official shall provide
the egg to each contestant presenting his/her entry for pre-launch safety
check. Each egg shall be numbered, and that number shall be recorded on the
contestant’s flight card. A contestant shall not be required to use an egg that
has been previously lofted by another contestant.

Return

Following the flight, the contestant shall present
his/her entry as recovered and, in the presence of an official, shall remove the
egg. The official shall determine the extent of damage to the egg. If the
official cannot examine the egg, the entry shall be disqualified. If the contestant
removes the egg in the absence of officials, or breaks the egg in the process
of removing it from the model, the entry shall be disqualified. If the shell of
the egg is broken or cracked, the entry shall be disqualified.

All entries must comply with the provisions of Rule 16.7.

Scoring

The contestant with the highest altitude in meters, as
tracked and/or reduced, shall be declared the winner.

Appendix

Rule 1.1

Model rocket means an aero-model that ascends into the
air without the use of aerodynamic lifting forces against gravity; that is
propelled by means of a model rocket motor; that includes a device for
returning it safely to the ground in a condition to fly again; and that
contains no parts, particularly metal parts, that are likely to create a hazard.
Model rocket motors and recovery system protectors or wadding, if present, do
not constitute portions of a model rocket.

Rule 3.5

A model rocket shall be so constructed as to be capable
of more than a single flight; and shall be provided with a means for retarding
its descent to the ground so that its structure may not be substantially
damaged, and so that no hazard is created to persons and property. If a model
descends in more than one unattached part, each part must conform to the above specification.

Rule 16.7

For any model being judged for damage, no human
intervention (e.g., catching the model or cushioning its landing) shall be allowed
between launch and touchdown. However, with the exception of the egg lofting
events, contestants may choose to catch their models. In this case, models that
are caught shall be judged as if they had sustained maximum damage on landing,
but shall not be disqualified. Any egg lofter that is caught or cushioned shall
be disqualified. If the intervention was accidental and/or inadvertent, in the
opinion of the Range Safety Officer, the flight may be judged as having
sustained maximum damage points or an unofficial flight, at the option of the
contestant for all events except egg lofting which shall be an unofficial flight.
The contestant shall inform the applicable Contest Official of his/her decision
to accept or reject the flight as an official flight as soon as possible; but
in any case, prior to any subsequent flight by the contestant in the event.

Engine Impulse

Motor Class Total Impulse (N-sec)
A 1.26 – 2.50
B 2.51 – 5.00
C 5.01 – 10.00