1.1 Tripoli members will use commercially manufactured motors that have met Tripoli's Motor Listing Committee's requirements for performance and fitness for rocket propulsion, and listed as such on the Recommended Motor List.
1.2 An Advanced Rocket Motor will be electrically ignited as the manufacturer suggests using ignition materials supplied or approved by the manufacturer.
1.3 Advanced Rocket Motors will not be altered or modified to change their thurst performance, nor will they be reloaded once spent.
1.4 Commercially Manufactured custom designed or new experimental motors may be used without being listed on the Recommended Motor List provided the manufacturer supplies proof of satisfactory static tests.
2 ADVANCED ROCKET VEHICLES:
2.1 Advanced Rockets will be built as light as is reasonable for the intended purpose of the rocket. The use of metal will not be permitted in the nose cone, airframe, motor mount, or fins of an Advanced Rocket.
2.2 An Advanced Rocket will have a suitable means for providing stabilizing and restoring forces necessary to maintain a substantially true and predictable upward flight path.
2.3 An Advanced Rocket shall be constructed so as to be capable of more than one flight. It will be provided with a means of slow and safe descent. If a rocket is to descend in more than one part, then the parts should conform to this code requirement.
2.4 Any equipment, devices, or material which relies upon flammable, smoldering, or otherwise combustable substances, which is not a motor, shall be designed, built, and implemented, or otherwise used in a manner which will minimize the possiblity to cause a fire after launch.
3. LAUNCH PLATFORMS AND IGNITION SYSTEMS:
3.1 A launching device, or mechanism, must be used which is sufficiently rigid and of sufficient length to guarantee that the rocket shall be independently stable when it leaves the device. This launching device shall be sufficiently stable on the ground to prevent significant shifts from the planned launch angle, or the accidental triggering of any first-motion ignition devices.
3.2 The launch pad, or device, shall have a blast deflector sufficient to prevent damage, or fire hazard, to surrounding equipment, the launch pad, or the surrounding area.
3.3 A launch angle of less than 30 degrees from vertical must be used when flying Advanced Rockets.
3.4 Any and all igition systems on Advanced Rockets must be remotely activated eletrically.
3.5 The launch of any rocket must be completely under the control of the person launching it. When flying alone, the individual person is responsible for range safety, and launch control safety. When flying at a non-Tripoli sponsored meet it is recommended that a Range Safety Officer (RSO), in control of the launch range be present. The RSO will turn over control of the launch, for the duration of the countdown to the designated Launch Control Officer (LCO) when the launching range is deemed safe to launch. When flying at a Tripoli sponsored meet, a Tripoli approved RSO must be present in addition to the LCO.
3.6 Minimum requirements for a Tripoli approved RSO are (a) Confirmed Tripoli membership in good standing, (b) Advanced Rocketry experience similar or equal to that expected at a particular launch, and (c) Satisfactory completion of Tripoli's RSO Training Program, or equivalent.
3.7 The launch system firing circuit must return to the off position when released if a mechanical launch system is used or reset if an electronic launch system is used. A permissive circuit controlled by the RSO at all times, and capable of releasing the firing circuit is advisable.
3.8 Excessive lengths of fuse, or complex pyrotechnic ignition arrangements should be avoided. The simplest and most direct ignition trains are encouraged to promote range safety.
3.9 Igniters should be installed at the last practical moment, and once installed, electrical igniter wires should be shorted and/or pyrotechnical systems mechanically protected to prevent premature ignition from EMI or heat sources.
3.10 When flat blast plates are used on a launch pad, a stand- off will be used to keep the nozzles of the motors a minimum distance from the blast plate of one body diameter.
4. FLYING FIELDS AND CONDITIONS:
4.1 All launches of Advanced Rocket vehicles must be conducted in compliance with Federal, State, and Local law.
4.2 Rocket flights must be made only when weather conditions permit the average person to visually observe the entire flight of the rocket from lift-off to the deployment of it's recovery system. No Advanced Rockets will be launched when winds exceed 20 miles per hour.
4.3 No Advanced Rocket shall contain an explosive warhead, nor will they be launched at targets on the ground.
4.4 An Advanced Rocket flying field must be equipped with an appropriately rated fire extinguishing device. Each launch pad must have a five gallon container filled with water within 10 feet of the pad. A well stocked first aid kit, and a person, or persons, familiar with their use must be present.
4.5 Advanced Rockets shall be launched from a clear area, free of any easy to burn materials, and away from buildings, power lines, tall trees, or flying aircraft. The flying field must be of sufficent size to permit recovery of a given rocket within its confines.
4.6 At no time shall recovery of an Advanced Rocket vehicle from power lines or other dangerous places be attempted. Any rocket that becomes entangled in a utility line (power, phone, etc.) is a hazard to the utility line and untrained persons who may be attracted to it. The owner of the vehicle will make every effort to contact the proper utility company and have their trained personnel remove it.
4.7 No Advanced Rockets shall be hand caught during descent.
4.8 All persons in the vicinity of any launches must be advised that a launching is imminent before a rocket may be ignited and launched. A minimum five second countdown must be given immediately prior to ignition and launch of a rocket.
4.9 All launch pads will not be located within 1,500 feet of any permanent structures. A spectator line will be established parallel with the launch controller's table. No vehicles will be parked within 50 feet of the spectator line. Launch pads for class B motors will be no less than 150 feet from the spectator line. Launch pads for motors exceeding J class, or clusters of G, H, and/or I's shall be set 200 feet from the spectator line.
4.10 No one will be permitted to sit within the area between the parked vehicle line and the spectator line, other than the RSO, LCO, and designated assistant(s) at the launch control table.
4.11 No one will be permitted in the launch area between the LCO table and the launch pads except vehicle crew for prepping purposes. Crew photogrphers or event photographers permitted in the launch area will maintain a distance of 75 feet from the launch pad.
4.12 All rockets to be launched must be presented to the RSO for inspection, assignment, and logged into the flight record with the LCO. A copy of the flight records will be sent to Tripoli Headquarters for documentation purposes.