High Power Rocketry Certification

NOVAAR is a chartered section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). We support the safe advancement of High Power Rocketry (HPR) while operating within the confines of the Great Meadow launch site.

All NOVAAR High Power Rocketry flights must comply with NAR’s High Power Rocket Safety Code and regulations. Guidance is available on the National Association of Rocketry website.

In addition to NAR requirements, the following guidelines apply specifically to High Power Rocket launches at NOVAAR's Great Meadow field.

For questions, contact the NOVAAR High Power Rocketry Coordinator at hpr@novaar.org.

Altitude Limits
With the size of the Great Meadow field, maximum flight altitudes are:

• 3,000 feet AGL for dual-deployment
• 2,500 feet AGL for single-deployment

Typical HPR certification flight targets are:

• Level 1: 1,000–1,500 feet
• Level 2: 1,500–2,500 feet

Weather conditions and other safety considerations on launch day may dictate lower maximum altitudes.

Launch Schedule and Weather

High Power Rocket flights may be flown at any scheduled Great Meadow NOVAAR launch, provided weather and safety conditions allow.

NOVAAR typically launches one Saturday each month, year-round, weather permitting. Rain dates are uncommon due to competing activities at Great Meadow.

The current launch schedule, along with any weather-related delays or cancellations, is posted on the NOVAAR's home page.

Even if a launch proceeds as scheduled, HPR flights may be curtailed due to wind, cloud ceiling, field conditions, or other safety concerns.

Motor Restrictions

The Great Meadow field is limited to J-impulse motors and below.

Certification flight requirements:

• Level 1: H or I motor

• Level 2: Single J motor only

Motor Vendor

Ken Allen of Performance Hobbies frequently attends NOVAAR launches and offers motors, kits, parts, and other rocketry supplies.

As attendance and inventory vary, fliers are encouraged to contact Ken prior to the launch to confirm his schedule and motor availability.

Prohibited Motors

The following motors are not permitted at NOVAAR launches:

• A motor or combination of motors above J impulse
• All "sparky" motors due to the increased fire hazard

Examples of sparky motors include:

• AeroTech Metalstorm or Dark Matter
• Cesaroni Skidmark

If you are unsure whether a motor is a sparky, ask the vendor, a mentor, or the NOVAAR High Power Rocketry Coordinator before your flight.

Membership and Certification

Before flying High Power, bring proof of:

• Current NAR membership

• Current High Power certification level

• If required, bring proof of successfully completing the online certification exam

Certification paperwork will be verified before flight.

NOVAAR has certification forms available at our launches. To save time, you may download the form from the NAR website and complete the Applicant Information section in advance.

Review the Certification Checklist on the back of the certification form prior to the launch to help prepare for the safety inspection.

Flight Simulation Software

Employing flight simulation software during rocket design is strongly recommended. Simulations help flyers understand design tradeoffs and predict rocket performance.

Simulation software is recommended for kit-built rockets and is considered essential for custom-designed rockets.

Popular programs include:

• OpenRocket (free)
• RockSim (commercial)

Rocket motor performance data is available at thrustcurve.org.

High Power Rocketry Safety Inspection

Every HPR rocket must undergo a pre-flight safety inspection before it may be launched.

During the inspection, be prepared to discuss:

• Rocket type (kit, scratch-built, or modified kit)
• Motor type and designation (single-use or reloadable)
• Confirmation that the motor is not a prohibited sparky motor
• Predicted velocity off the launch rail (typically calculated with OpenRocket or RockSim)
• NOVAAR uses 8-foot launch rails
• A minimum rail exit velocity of approximately 50 ft/sec is generally considered safe
• Predicted maximum altitude
• Stability calculations
• Motor delay (if applicable)
• Rocket weight with no motor installed
• Recovery system, including:
• Parachute size(s)
• Chute Release (if used)
• Altimeter make/model
• Deployment altitude
• Black powder charge sizes
• Any other recovery system details