How Do I Certify Level 1?

This is the classic chicken and the egg (which came first?) scenario. How do I get certified if I cannot buy a motor? First to get certified the person wishing to obtain certification must be an active member of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. This can be accomplished by sending in an application with the appropriate funds or applying at a launch using the Temporary Membership Application (other than large national launches a person wishing to sign up at a launch should contact the prefect of that launch and let them know you will be joining so that they bring the appropriate forms).

To certify at level 1 requires a successful flight of an H or I rocket motor. You must contact the prefect before the launch and prearrange with the prefect for the purchase of an H or I motor. Most dealers will sell you an H or I motor if it is to be sent directly to the prefect for your certification launch. At a large regional launch where a rocket dealer is on site, the prefect can go with you to the dealer where you can purchase the motor for your certification, but the motor is given to the prefect who will then witness you assembling and prepping the motor for your certification attempt. Tripoli members are now allowed to certify level 1 with H or I hybrid motors (by board vote at LDRS 2000).

When ready to launch the rocket, fill out the flight card and add in the comments "CERTIFICATION LEVEL X" (where X is 1, 2 or 3). This will notify the LCO (Launch Control Officer) to announce that this flight will be a certification attempt, getting the attention of the person that will certify the flight (prefect or authorizing person) and if deemed necessary by the RSO (Range Safety Officer) to call for a "Heads Up" launch.

The authorizing person is watching, the rocket is launched and the flight is perfect, i.e. parachute is fully deployed, rocket is safely recovered, the motor did not eject out of the rocket and the rocket IS FLYABLE AGAIN WITHOUT reconstruction or modification, then the authorizing person will sign the 3 part form or Temporary Membership Form signifying that the certifying person witnessed the flight and its safe recovery. The MEMBER then sends in the appropriate page from the multi part form to headquarters. After the form is signed, the member may purchase motors applicable to the certification level attained.