Tripoli Junior Mentoring Program

 

The Tripoli Mentoring Program (TMP) allows Tripoli Junior members to learn the skills of high-power rocket construction and launching in a safe and consistent environment while complying with all applicable high-power rocketry safety codes and legal restrictions.

Through TMP, Junior flyers can design and build high-power rockets and launch their own rockets under the direct supervision of a Tripoli Senior member serving as their Mentor. The Mentor is responsible for all aspects of the launch that require adult status and high-power certification, including the handling of high-power rocket motors and reloads.

In accordance with NFPA 1127, Code for High Power Rocketry, individuals must be at least 18 years old to receive high-power rocket motor user certification. As a result, Junior members under the age of 18 are not eligible for standard Tripoli Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 certification.

The TMP provides a pathway for Junior members to participate in high-power rocketry and earn the M1 designation through a mentored Level 1 certification flight. M1 recognizes the Junior member's achievement but does not grant independent high-power certification privileges. Junior members may not independently purchase, possess, assemble, load, or otherwise handle high-power rocket motors or reloads. These activities must be performed by an appropriately certified adult Mentor.

Upon reaching age 18, an M1 member who remains a Tripoli member will have their M1 designation recognized as a standard Level 1 certification.

Who can participate?

Any Tripoli Junior member ages 12-17 can participate in the program as the Junior flyer. Any Tripoli Senior member can participate in the program as the Mentor. There are no formal requirements for participation in the program.

Mentors and Juniors using the TMP do not need to inform launch officials that they are using it, nor do they need any additional paperwork. The rules ensure that launch activities for teens are safe and adhere to broader Tripoli rules.

Tripoli encourages Mentors to use the program to ensure that Juniors build the necessary skills and knowledge for safe, high-power rocketry.

The completion of the TMP Training portion of the program is required for access to restricted launch pad areas at Tripoli Research launches and does have associated paperwork.

Rules for Mentors

 

The Mentor’s role in this process is very important.  Mentors take full responsibility for every mentored flight (i.e. they are the Flyer of Record). If you are Mentoring a teen, please take this responsibility seriously.  Teach your advisees about rocket and range safety.

Only mentor flights within your competence level, not just within your certification level.  Remember that it is your job to ensure that every rocket used in a mentored flight is built with the level of skill necessary for the project.

• Mentors must be Tripoli Senior members in good standing.
  
  
• The Mentor is the flyer-of-record on mentored flights and is fully responsible and liable for the flight as if it were his/her own. The Mentor must ensure that the flight card on a mentored flight reflects the Mentor’s status as flyer of record and includes the Mentor’s Tripoli number. Junior flyers may be listed on the flight card as the owner of the rocket.
  
  
• The Mentor is responsible for and must personally handle all aspects of the launch involving materials that require high-power certification, including the possession, assembly, preparation, and installation of high-power rocket motors and reloads. Junior flyers under the age of 18 may not directly handle these materials, even while under the supervision of a Mentor.
  
  
• The Mentor must be present with the Junior flyers during the pre-flight safety inspection by the RSO. As the flyer-of-record, the Mentor is responsible for ensuring the rocket meets the criteria for passage of the pre-flight safety inspection.
  
  
• Mentored flights under the Tripoli Mentoring Program are limited to certified Level 1 high-power rocket motors (H and I impulse classes), regardless of the Mentor's certification level. Mentors must hold at least Level 1 certification and may only supervise flights within their own certification and competence levels. Level 2 and Level 3 motor flights are not permitted under the TMP, even when supervised by a Mentor holding those certifications.
  
  
• Additionally, the Mentor is responsible for direct supervision of Junior flyers while at the pad and in the prep area. The Mentor is responsible for ensuring that Junior flyers are familiar with safe range practices and know how to conduct themselves in a safety conscious manner.

Rules for Junior Flyers

• Junior flyers must be Tripoli Junior members in good standing.
  
  
• Junior flyers must be between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age.
  
  

• Junior flyers may design, construct, and prepare their rockets under the supervision of their Mentor but may not purchase, possess, assemble, install, or otherwise directly handle high-power rocket motors or reloads. These activities are restricted to appropriately certified adult members.
  
  

• To access restricted pad and prep areas, Junior flyers must complete Tripoli Mentoring Program Training and bring proof of program completion to the launch.
  
  
• The Junior flyer must be present at the pre-flight safety check to answer RSO questions about the rocket.
  
  
• Junior flyers are responsible for knowing the safety code and following all range safety rules.

TMP Training

 

Tripoli Mentoring Program Training trains Juniors in safe rocket construction and range practices. Successful completion of the TMP Training grants the Junior flyer access to restricted high power areas.

TMP Training is a self-study program that can be done either by the Junior alone or, preferably, under the guidance and advice of a Mentor. The training culminates in the TMP Training Exam. The exam is 30 questions long, with 15 Technical and 15 Safety questions. The Technical section covers safe rocket construction and launching, while the Safety section covers range safety. A passing grade is 83%, meaning that a test taker can miss no more than 5 questions.

Take the TMP Online Test

If a Junior fails either portion of the test three times, they must request a reset by contacting the Tripoli IT Committee. The committee will review the request and, if appropriate, reset the Junior member’s testing count. This reset process may take up to 7 days to complete.

 

Parent/Guardian Consent Requirement

 

Although the TMP exam may be completed online, a parent or legal guardian must still provide written consent for the Junior’s participation in high power rocketry activities.

• If the student has printed a copy of their online exam passing certificate, there is a place on the certificate for the parent/guardian to sign.
  
  
• If a printed certificate is not available, it is acceptable to have the parent/guardian sign a copy of the TMP Test Answer Sheet. In this case, pertinent member data must be recorded and the online exam certificate number written on the form.

Submission to Headquarters

 

A clear photo of the signed certificate (or signed answer sheet) must be emailed to certifications@tripoli.org before the Junior participates in any high power rocketry activities. Once received and verified, the Junior’s certification level will be updated to M, and a new membership card will be issued reflecting completion of TMP Training.

TMP Level 1 Certification Flight

 

Upon successful completion of the TMP Training exam and fulfillment of the required parental or guardian consent requirements, a Junior member may, in conjunction with their TMP Mentor, conduct a Level 1 certification flight.

Successful completion of this flight will be recorded by Tripoli, and the Junior member will be issued a membership card reflecting the M1 designation.

M1 is a Junior mentoring designation and is not equivalent to an active adult Level 1 certification. It does not authorize the Junior member to independently purchase, possess, or handle high-power rocket motors or conduct high-power flights without an appropriately certified adult Mentor. The M1 designation is the only certification designation available to Junior members through the TMP. Level 2 and Level 3 certification flights are not permitted until the member reaches age 18 and meets the applicable certification requirements.

As required by NFPA 1127, individuals must be at least 18 years old to receive high-power rocket motor user certification. Consequently, Junior members cannot obtain standard Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 certification before their eighteenth birthday. The TMP allows Junior members to complete the Level 1 flight requirements through the M1 designation but does not provide a pathway to Level 2 or Level 3 certification for members under 18.

Upon reaching their eighteenth birthday, an M1 member who remains a Tripoli member will have their M1 designation recognized as a standard Level 1 certification, and a new membership card will be issued reflecting that certification. The member may then pursue Level 2 and Level 3 certifications under Tripoli's standard certification requirements.

The M1 certification flight must be witnessed by a Tripoli Prefect, TAP member, or Director.