Tripoli Competition Events 

 

1.0 Introduction:

 

The following competition events are approved for Tripoli high power launches. Launch organizers are encouraged to hold these events at their launches. Individuals may participate in these events when they are held at these Tripoli launches, or attempt to set the record for the event on their own when no competition event has been chosen for the launch. The Tripoli Contest and Records Committee will maintain records for each event in the classes indicated.

 

2.0 General Information:

 

2.1 For events which are based on total impulse, the motor class will be determined by the total impulse of all motor(s) as tested and not the manufacturer's designation or estimated total impulse.

 

2.2 Only certified motors may be used to set Tripoli Records and the total impulse of all motors must not exceed 40,960 newton-seconds. (EX competitions shall include motors up to and including Q designations)

 

2.3 For every event, rockets must successfully deploy their recovery device(s) and have a safe descent. The same standards used in certification flights shall apply to Tripoli Records.

 

2.4 For altitude events, the closure shall not exceed 10.0% for optical tracking and the altimeters shall be accurate to +/- 5%. For duration events, at least two stopwatches accurate to +/- 0.1 seconds are required.

 

2.5 Requirements for setting a Tripoli Record (in addition to the above)

A. Tripoli Competition Record form must be completed (the older Tripoli

Altitude Record Application is acceptable, but clearly write the event, class, and score at the top)

 

B. A clear photograph of the rocket

 

C. Include a $5.00 filing fee payable to Tripoli

 

D. Send all of the above to the Contest and Records Committee within 30 days of the flight

 

E. New record must exceed previous record by 2.0%

 

F. Only one record application should be completed per flight. The Contest

and Records Committee will assign records in more than one event or

class if applicable.

 

3.0 Altitude Competition- single motor configuration

 

Tripoli altitude records will be established to recognize individuals whose rockets have attained the highest altitudes. Only rockets using single motors are permitted under this category. No staged or clustered flights permitted in this section.

 

The following altitude record classes will be maintained:

F              40.01      to             80 newton-seconds

G             80.01      to             160 newton-seconds

H             160.01   to             320 newton-seconds

I               320.01   to             640 newton-seconds

J              640.01   to             1280 newton-seconds

K             1280.01 to             2560 newton-seconds

L              2560.01 to             5120 newton-seconds

M             5120.01 to             10240 newton-seconds

N             10240.01               to             20480 newton-seconds

O             20480.01               to             40960 newton-seconds

 

The purpose of the open altitude competition is to obtain the greatest altitude possible for a given total impulse for single motor configuration. The event is open to all rockets using certified motors. The motor class will be determined based on the total impulse of all motor(s) as tested.

 

Record Information: Records are established in the F through O motor classes. To set a record in this event is to set a Tripoli Altitude Record. No changes will be made to existing Tripoli Altitude Records.

 

3.1 Altitude Competition- staged motor configurations

Tripoli altitude records will be established to recognize individuals whose rockets have attained the highest altitudes. Only rockets using staged configuration motors are permitted under this category. No clustered, strap on boosters or boosted darts allowed in this section.

 

The following altitude record classes will be maintained:

F              40.01      to             80 newton-seconds

G             80.01      to             160 newton-seconds

H             160.01   to             320 newton-seconds

I               320.01   to             640 newton-seconds

J              640.01   to             1280 newton-seconds

K             1280.01 to             2560 newton-seconds

L              2560.01 to             5120 newton-seconds

M             5120.01 to             10240 newton-seconds

N             10240.01               to             20480 newton-seconds

O             20480.01               to             40960 newton-seconds

 

The purpose of the open altitude competition is to obtain the greatest altitude possible for a given total impulse for staged motor configurations. The event is open to all rockets using certified motors. The motor class will be determined based on the total impulse of all motor(s) as tested.

 

Record Information: Records are established in the F through O motor classes. To set a record in this event is to set a Tripoli Altitude Record. No changes will be made to existing Tripoli Altitude Records.

 

 

 

 

 

4.0 Hybrid Altitude Competition

 

Due to the recent introduction and popularity of hybrid motors, a separate record category has been created to include records for the following motor sizes-

 

H             160.01   to             320 newton-seconds

I               320.01   to             640 newton-seconds

J              640.01   to             1280 newton-seconds

K             1280.01 to             2560 newton-seconds

L              2560.01 to             5120 newton-seconds

M             5120.01 to             10240 newton-seconds

N             10240.01               to             20480 newton-seconds

 

The purpose of the hybrid competition is to obtain the greatest altitude possible for a given total impulse. The event is open to all rockets using Tripoli certified motors. The motor class will be determined based on the total impulse of all motor(s) as tested.

This current hybrid category allows single motor configurations, clusters and staging.

 

5.0 Black Powder Altitude Competition

 

The black powder altitude event is for any rocket powered only by black powder motor(s). There is no limit on the number of motors used, or total impulse. All of the motors must be certified and the total impulse of all motor(s) must not exceed 40,960 newton-seconds. Clustering and staging of motors is permitted.

 

Record Information: The record for this class of rockets will be the Tripoli Black Powder Altitude Record.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.0 Handicapped Rocket Category

 

The purpose of the handicapped rocket altitude competition is to achieve the greatest possible altitude when there are restrictions on both the total impulse used and the minimum rocket diameter and length. This event should also appeal to those who fly on limited sized fields and allow a large number of rockets flown at typical launches which are not minimum diameter to be competitive. By restricting both the total impulse and diameter of a rocket, the emphasis must be shifted towards modifying weight, drag, and design to increase altitude.

 

The intent is to allow as many rockets as possible to participate in the event. The minimum length ensures that rockets with transitions, boat tails and multiple diameters may participate provided they have the required minimum diameter for the specified length.

 

6.1 The classes have been chosen to reflect industry standard tubing sizes. They are slightly below the standard diameters and have been rounded down to the nearest quarter of an inch. Note: the diameter listed is the minimum diameter, not the maximum diameter.

 

G Class -- Minimum diameter of 2.50 inches for at least 2 feet

    Maximum total impulse of 160.00 newton-seconds

 

H & I Class -- Minimum diameter of 3.75 inches for at least 3 feet

    Maximum total impulse of 320.00 newton-seconds

 

J & K Class -- Minimum diameter of 5.00 inches for at least 5 feet

    Maximum total impulse of 1280.00 newton-seconds

 

L & M Class-  Minimum Diameter of 7.5 inches for at least 8 feet. Maximum total impulse of 10,260 newton-seconds.

 

N & O Class- Minimum diameter of 11.5 inches for at least 12 feet. Maximum total impulse of 40,960 newton seconds.

 

If a multistage rocket is used, then the uppermost stage must conform to the above diameter and length restrictions. This does not exclude the use of multistage rockets, but does not provide them with an advantage over single stage rockets.

 

Record Information: Each motor class has the diameter restrictions as listed above. While unlikely to occur, rockets that set a large rocket altitude record are eligible to set an open altitude record.

 

 

7.0 Experimental Motor Altitude Competition- Individual

 

The purpose of the experimental motor altitude competition is to challenge contestants to achieve the highest possible altitude for each motor class. These Tripoli altitude records will recognize these individuals whose rockets have attained the highest altitudes.

The following rules apply to EX motor competitions-

1-       Only individuals are permitted to enter into this EX competition. No groups allowed. The contestant must make the motor and the rocket to qualify.

2-       The term “Experimental motor” in this activity shall mean any motor made by that specific individual consisting of AP and AN based motors. 

3-       All individuals engaged in motor manufacturing, shall not be permitted to compete individually even if they make the motor separate from their business activity.

4-       All rockets having motors in class 75 mm and above must have dual electronics onboard, and the results of the two will be averaged to arrive at the altitude.

5-       Tripoli Research Safety Codes, dated April 1, 2002 must be followed for each flight.

6-       Only single motor configuration flights allowed in this category. 

7-       All attempted altitude flights must have the Tripoli contest application submitted to Prefect on site, at time of RSO review to qualify. Prefect must sign-off the application form prior to flight and maintain the form until retrieved rocket is returned for altitude verification. Prefect must witness altitude verification as one of the witnesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following altitude record classes will be maintained:

Motors with casing diameter                   Max. casing length        Approx. class

          (Max O.D.)

24 mm                                                                   any                                                          E

29 mm                                                                   any                                                          F, G, H   

38 mm                                                                   Under 12”                                              I

38 mm                                                                   Over 12”                                                 J

54 mm                                                                   Under 12”                                              J

54 mm                                                                   12” – 24”                                                K

54 mm                                                                   Over 24”                                                 L

75 mm                                                                   Under 26”                                              L

75 mm                                                                   Over 26”                                                 M

98 mm                                                                   Under 29”                                              M

98 mm                                                                   29” – 48”                                                N

98 mm                                                                   Over 48”                                                 O

5”                                                                            any                                                          O-P

6”                                                                            Under   “                                                                P

6”                                                                            Over      “                                                Q

 

 

7.1 Experimental Motor Altitude Competition- GROUP PROJECTS

 

The purpose of the experimental motor altitude competition is to challenge contestants to achieve the highest possible altitude. These Tripoli altitude records will recognize these individuals whose rockets have attained the highest altitudes.

The following rules apply to EX motor competitions-

1         Only groups are permitted to enter into this EX competition. The group must contain a member who made the motor to qualify. That person must be present at all times

2         The term “Experimental motor” in this activity shall mean any motor made by that specific individual consisting of AP and AN based motors. 

3         All individuals engaged in motor manufacturing, shall not be permitted to compete individually even if they make the motor separate from their business activity.

4         All rockets having motors in class 75 mm and above must have dual electronics onboard, and the results of the two will be averaged to arrive at the altitude.

5         Tripoli Research Safety Codes, dated April 1, 2002 must be followed for each flight.

6         Only single motor configuration flights allowed in this category. 

7         All attempted altitude flights must have the Tripoli contest application submitted to Prefect on site, at time of RSO review to qualify. Prefect must sign-off the application form prior to flight and maintain the form until retrieved rocket is returned for altitude verification. Prefect must witness altitude verification as one of the witnesses.