Ohio Open Rocket Tournament
1/2A Streamer Duration
The goal of the streamer duration event is to launch a rocket and
keep it aloft longer than anyone else using a streamer.
At the Ohio Open Rocket Tournament, contestants must use NAR contest-certified
1/2A motors. Currently, the only contest-certified motors available are the Estes 1/2A3-2T, 1/2A3-4T, and the 1/2A6-2. This event will
be flown multiround, which means you can use two models to make three
flights up to 60 seconds in duration. Longer flights will be rounded down to
the 60 second maximum. Because two models are used to make three flights, one
flight must be offically recorded as returned. Here are a
few more tips to help first-time fliers:
- Streamers must have a length-to-width ratio of 5:1, and have a minimum area
of 100 square centimeters. 6"x60" streamers fit nicely into BT-20 airframes, and
4"x40" streamers work for BT-5 airframes.
- A streamer must be attached to the model by a single line at a single point
on the model. The line must be attached to the narrow end of the streamer at a single
point - no "Estes-style" streamer attachment.
- High-performance streamers have been created from crepe paper, vellum tracing paper,
tissue, aluminized mylar, micafilm, and cellophane wrapping paper. Shock cords are made
from kevlar or braided-nylon (squid line) cord.
- Put your NAR number on your model.
- If possible, make a few practice flights before the day of the meet. You'd be surprised
how many streamer duration flights are disqualified due to broken shockcords and
shredded streamers.
- In any event, it is always the flier's responsibility (not the contest officials') to make sure that a return has been recorded. Learn the habit of returning your model to the rangehead after each flight, whether you need a return or not.
More detailed rules for the NAR streamer duration event are available on the
online NAR Pink Book.
Questions?