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Competition Flying - NRC, NARAM, FAI
- smaire
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2 weeks 4 days ago #12210
by smaire
Competition Flying - NRC, NARAM, FAI was created by smaire
If you have been following the conversation on the NAR forum about competition flying, the gist of the argument for making the changes to the NRC seems to come down to an explanation that NRC flying and NARAM participation has been in long term decline and that something had to be done.
The answer that is proposed is a combination of reducing the events flown largely to FAI SD, PD, HD and BG while at the same time adding a mentorship program to coach people in the skills to fly competition.
Now, we are not a big competition flying club and I can see many reasons why this might be. After all, there are many aspects of rocketry that one can pursue within the hobby and competition is only one of many. Certainly, we fly a lot of rockets, just not much competition.
So I am curious. Would we see more competition flying if the events were reduced to FAI SD, PD, HD and BG and these were flown each year? For information, FAI SD and PD require a 40mm diameter rocket of 500mm length. FAI HD requires a gyrocopter carried aloft by a 40mm rocket. FAI BG is roughly the same as NAR R/G.
If the section established some sort of mentorship/instructional effort for competition flying, would this bring about more competition flying? What might such a program look like?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Regards,
Stephen
The answer that is proposed is a combination of reducing the events flown largely to FAI SD, PD, HD and BG while at the same time adding a mentorship program to coach people in the skills to fly competition.
Now, we are not a big competition flying club and I can see many reasons why this might be. After all, there are many aspects of rocketry that one can pursue within the hobby and competition is only one of many. Certainly, we fly a lot of rockets, just not much competition.
So I am curious. Would we see more competition flying if the events were reduced to FAI SD, PD, HD and BG and these were flown each year? For information, FAI SD and PD require a 40mm diameter rocket of 500mm length. FAI HD requires a gyrocopter carried aloft by a 40mm rocket. FAI BG is roughly the same as NAR R/G.
If the section established some sort of mentorship/instructional effort for competition flying, would this bring about more competition flying? What might such a program look like?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Regards,
Stephen
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- tlainhart
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2 weeks 1 day ago #12212
by tlainhart
Replied by tlainhart on topic Competition Flying - NRC, NARAM, FAI
Speaking just for me (and hoping to prime the pump for others)...
At present, I'm not inclined to do competition flying. I did try last year, with a kit that I bought from ASP rocketry, but that was a fail. Which brings me to my point - I might consider trying again if kits/parts were readily available, but the constraints for the FAI models seem to restrict that. E.G. would I need my own mandrel.
Another thing that puts me off is producing strategies to get the thing efficiently off the pad. Pistons, fly-away lugs, etc. That can be a drag to setup, esp. at a club launch with sport flyers. And getting into custom materials. And that said, a club launch usually demands some volunteer commitment, which cuts down on (my) competition focus.
So, maybe some mentorship, and a launch dedicated to just competition? Section-level prizes? Restrictions on building materials (doesn't help for FAI)? Perhaps you could do some education at one of our Zoom meetings?
At present, I'm not inclined to do competition flying. I did try last year, with a kit that I bought from ASP rocketry, but that was a fail. Which brings me to my point - I might consider trying again if kits/parts were readily available, but the constraints for the FAI models seem to restrict that. E.G. would I need my own mandrel.
Another thing that puts me off is producing strategies to get the thing efficiently off the pad. Pistons, fly-away lugs, etc. That can be a drag to setup, esp. at a club launch with sport flyers. And getting into custom materials. And that said, a club launch usually demands some volunteer commitment, which cuts down on (my) competition focus.
So, maybe some mentorship, and a launch dedicated to just competition? Section-level prizes? Restrictions on building materials (doesn't help for FAI)? Perhaps you could do some education at one of our Zoom meetings?
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- ClaudeMaina
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2 weeks 1 day ago #12213
by ClaudeMaina
Replied by ClaudeMaina on topic Competition Flying - NRC, NARAM, FAI
Speaking for myself, I've never considered myself a competitive person and so competition flying has never appealed to me. Also, I do not have the patience to construct a rocket to pull every last foot of altitude or second of flight time out of a rocket. But I love watching those flights and have great admiration for the attention to detail that goes into both the construction and flight preparation. I think those skills are important and need to be fostered. I had to opportunity to attend (briefly) NARAM in central NY a few years ago and watched some of the competition flying. I was really impressed, not only with the flights, but the comaraderie among the competitors and all of the fun they were having. This is an important part of NAR and needs to be continued.
So, if CMASS can do somethings to spur a little more interest, I think it should. I like Todd's idea of dedicated CMASS launches - perhaps something similar to what we do for TARC launches in the Spring. And his idea of dedicated time during some of the Zoom meetings, or even special Zoom meetings dedicated to just competition flying. I can't see myself entering into the field, but I would certainly volunteer to help.
So, if CMASS can do somethings to spur a little more interest, I think it should. I like Todd's idea of dedicated CMASS launches - perhaps something similar to what we do for TARC launches in the Spring. And his idea of dedicated time during some of the Zoom meetings, or even special Zoom meetings dedicated to just competition flying. I can't see myself entering into the field, but I would certainly volunteer to help.
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- KennB
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2 weeks 1 day ago #12214
by KennB
Replied by KennB on topic Competition Flying - NRC, NARAM, FAI
Thanks to Stephen for sparking competition flying at CMASS launches. It is one of the things that distinguishes NAR from TRA.
I think special NRC Zoom meetings would be a good idea. The link we use for the regular club meetings could be used for such meetings. They could be promoted on the website and by mass mailing (even on the FB page).
I think special NRC Zoom meetings would be a good idea. The link we use for the regular club meetings could be used for such meetings. They could be promoted on the website and by mass mailing (even on the FB page).
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