Amateur Rocketry in America
The NAR is the worlds first, largest and oldest amateur rocket association. Founded in 1957 to advance the safe and educational practice of amateur rocketry, it was joined in the 1980's by the Tripoli Rocket Association. In the 21st century both organizations support high power rocket (HPR) activities and have reciprocally recognized HPR certifications.
As a public section of the NAR, the HLA provides direct guidance and mentorship for several NAR programs:
NARTREK - a self-paced series of readings and hands-on building activities centered on model (also known as "low power") rocketry. The perfect first step for someone with no prior rocketry experience.
Junior Level 1 HPR Certification - this program gives high school students between the ages of 14-17 the ability to obtain a provisional Level 1 high power rocket (HPR) certification that turns into a regular L1 on their 18th birthday.
American Rocketry Challenge - while the HLA does not have its own ARC team, we are happy to provide mentorship, guidance and (with enough lead time) observation of qualification flights.
Level 1 HPR Certification - the HLA's Sounding Rocket Design School (SRDS) is analogous to NARTREK -- self-paced readings, hands-on builds -- except that SRDS is all about high power rocketry, and terminates with a Level 1 HPR Certification. SRDS is the same for HS students pursuing Jr. L1's, and college students pursuing full L1's.
Fly the Alphabet
Rockets get bigger and fly higher as larger motors are used. Commercially manufactured and certified solid rocket motors are a cornerstone of the hobbies stirling safety record.
SRM's are categorized alphabetically A - O. Each letter represents a certain range of total impulses delivered by the motor (expressed in units of "Newton-Seconds", N-s). These ranges are related: every increase in letter represents a 2-fold increase in the total impulse range.
Letters A - G are "model rocket" or "low power" motors, and do not require a certification to purchase.
Letters H and above are "high power" motors, and require certifications to purchase.
The best way to learn the craft and gain proficiency in flight is to start with model rocketry (through NARTREK, for example), and work your way into the upper end of the model rocket range (sometimes called "mid power"). You can use the same rocket flown with a mid-power motor to graduate to high power rocketry (through SRDS or a similar program of self-study).
This is called flying the alphabet, and is the educational philosophy the HLA endorses.
