TRIPOLI RESEARCH LAUNCHES

Tripoli Pittsburgh conducts two types of launches. The first is a Commercial Launch where anyone is permitted to fly Commercially Manufactured Rocket Motors - to their Certified Level within the National Tripoli Program. Those persons certified under other recognized National Organizations are also permitted to fly to the certification Level of their organization. Those persons uncertified are permitted to fly Commercially manufactured motors up to and including G-Class.

A Research Launch permits the use of Non-Commercial Motors, especially those motors fabricated by the individual them self and as such it carries different insurance; thus only members of the National Organization, Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc., are permitted to fly. In this situation only National Members holding a level two certification or higher are permitted to fly home-made motors, to their certified level. Persons holding a Tripoli Level One can only fly Commercial Motors.

The Latest Tripoli Research Safety Code Can Be viewed HERE

The following are several FAQs regarding Tripoli Research Launches (TRLs) that should clarify activities:

1. What is a Tripoli Research Launch (TRL)?
The Tripoli Research Program's purpose is to foster the research and development of payloads, electronics, recovery devices, air frame design, construction materials and to provide members of TRA with a venue in which they can static test and use their own composite or hybrid motors.

It is the purpose of this code to provide a means to introduce new technology or to include currently prohibited technology into Tripoli Research activities as the ability and expertise of TRA to include these technologies becomes available.

Tripoli members in good standing and 18 years or older may fly rockets with commercial motors at a TRL.

2. How is a TRL approved/authorized?
http://tripoli.org/documents/rsrch_launch_form.shtml

3. What are the constraints for scheduling a TRL?
All Tripoli Research launches shall take place at a time which is to be separated from any other Tripoli Regular or Certified launch at that same site by no less than 8 hours and a date change.

Operating separate range heads at separate locations on the same or adjacent property shall not meet this requirement unless launch/firing times for Tripoli Regular or Certified and Tripoli Research flights are separated by at least 8 hours and a date change.

The separation shall be from any other launch of an organized club or group, including, but not limited to TRA and NAR. This rule shall apply to all operations conducted at the launch.

4. What is a Tripoli Research flight?
Simply put, all flights that occur at a sanctioned/insured TRL are research flights.

5. Who may participate in a Tripoli Research Launch?
All flyers at a Tripoli Research Launch shall be members of Tripoli in good standing and 18 years or older

6. Can Non-National-Members fly rockets at a TRL?
    NO!

7. Can children fly rockets at a TRL?
No, Only Tripoli members 18 years of age or older shall be allowed to participate in Tripoli Research Launches.

8. Are Research motors required in order to fly at a TRL?
No, commercial motors can be flown at TRLs.

9. Can all fliers fly rockets with research motor at a TRL?
No, all flights and static tests that use research motors shall be conducted by Tripoli members who are Tripoli certified level 2 or 3.

10. Are there any limits on flying commercial motors at a TRL?
Yes, all flights and static tests conducted by the member shall be within the member's certification level.

11. Are there restrictions on spectators and/or invited guests?
Non-Tripoli members are either invited guests or spectators.

Tripoli members shall be responsible for the conduct of their invited guests.

An invited guest may be permitted in the motor/rocket preparation areas upon approval of the RSO but may not be present at the launch site (pad area).

Spectators, who are neither TRA members nor invited guests, are confined to the spectator areas as designated by the RSO and shall not be present in the motor/rocket preparation areas nor at the pad areas or flying range site.

Invited guests or spectators who meet all the other requirements of this code may have access to these restricted areas if they join TRA and have the permission of the RSO and the person or group personnel involved in a project.

12. What is the 75% rule and how can it be waived?
The 75% rule limits flights that use research motors to 75% of the FAA waiver in force at the time of the flight. This is done to be conservative with flights that may over-perform their expected flight profile.

The maximum launch altitude of a research flight shall be 75% of the waiver altitude established for the launch.

The BOD may waive this requirement when it can be demonstrated (by past performance, actual thrust curves, etc.) that the performance of the motor(s) to be used shall not exceed the limits of the waiver.

Computer simulations without actual thrust data derived from one or more actual test stand firings shall not be considered for waiver.

You can apply for a waiver of this rule if you have consistent history of making motors that performed as predicted. A commercial manufacturer also has a consistent history of motors performing as predicted, and is therefore granted the waiver.

13. I want to 'kit-bash' some commercial motor parts to create a 'custom' motor is this allowed at a TRL?
Yes, this is considered a Research motor. However, this is not allowed at non-TRLs since the motor is not certified.

14. My buddy is not a member of Tripoli but wants to fly his rocket at a TRL. Can I 'sponsor' his flight so his rocket can fly?
No, a flier has to be a Tripoli member, in good standing 18 years of age or older. This rule also prohibits children from flying at a TRL under any circumstances.

15. Is a motor with a PVC casing allowed at a TRL?
No. PVC is frangible and thus not allowed.

16. Can I fly a motor with a steel nozzle or steel case or closures?
No steel cases or nozzles or closures are allowed. Steel snap rings, screws, and washers are minor parts and are permitted.

17. Can I buy or sell a research motor at a TRL?
No, a TRL is not a venue for sales of research motors. Research motors cannot be sold for profit at a TRL.

18. Can I use a Research Motor fabricated by someone else at a TRL?
Yes provided that someone else is a National Tripoli Member and present at that TRL.

Research Launches usually present larger rockets and rockets more technical in nature. But, as stated, the main activity is flying home-made motors. To this end Tripoli Pittsburgh conducts WorkShops to teach qualified persons in the areas of rocket construction and motor technologies and fabrication.

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