Launch!

As the club senior advisor, I am often approached by people that wish to complete a certification flight.

At the October 18th, 2026 launch, at 3:45 PM, as I was packing my car, someone approached me asking for a hard copy of the HPR Level 1 certification application form, which I did not have. The person was upset because they had driven two hours to Amesbury for their certification flight. They asked me if the form can be filled out digitally. This is not how to go about the process. This demonstrates total lack of preparation and the fact that they did not read the HRP certification section on the NAR website..

Candidates for HPR certifications are required to read the requirements posted in the Nar.org website and have their paperwork completed and on hand. https://nar.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=114127&module_id=668315.

If a HPR certification flight is the person's first flight with no prior rocketry experience, please do not ask me to be part of your certification team or flier of record for Jr. L1. The NAR certification program is an educational program that demonstrates your knowledge and experience building and flying rockets safely. It is not intended to be a line on a resume.

That was me. I'm sorry if it came off rushed or underprepared. I had talked to someone in person about preparing for the launch and I thought the paperwork was only for the L2 cert. I was going off of what I thought the person said, but I clearly mixed up what the process was. I was just hoping to launch my rocket since I was there and it was ready, but I get that confusion doesn't mean I can bypass procedure. 

I have done 2 separate launch events with an Ultima 2 to prepare for the high powered launch. I do want to make sure the launch goes smoothly and safely. 

I would rather be positive than critical at this point. I hope the following information helps.

In the https://nar.org/Level1HPRCertificationProcedures page, section 4, subsection 6 I found the following information.

Also during the safety inspection, the Level 1 High Power Certification Candidate will be expected to provide oral answers to technical questions related to the safety and construction of their model. The questions may include (but not limited to) identification of the model’s center of gravity and center of pressure, methods used to determine model stability, and interpretation of the rocket motor’s designation. 

In my opinion, the key metrics a certification candidate should know are:

Location of CP, CG, the stability margin.

Speed off the rail.

Thrust to weight ratio.

Decent rate.

A simulation that shows the above information.

They should have their application on hand and filled out the best they can.

Frank D