What is NARTREK?

NARTREK stands for "National Association of Rocketry's Training of Rocketeers for Experience and Knowledge." It consists of a series of achievement levels in rocketry, each requiring more skill to complete than the previous one.

As each level is finished, you receive an Achievement Certificate and a jacket patch certifying your accomplishment. You are under no time limit. You progress at your own pace. Each flight must be done AFTER receiving your NARTREK packet for that level.

The Bronze Level

Everyone begins at the simplest level. To fulfill the requirements for the Bronze level, you must:

• Perform a 60-second parachute duration flight with a kit model (B motor or less).
• Perform a 30-second streamer duration flight with a kit model (B motor or less).
• Perform a two-staged flight with a kit model.
• Perform a large model flight (D motor or above) with a kit model.

Upon completing these requirements you move to the next level -- Silver.

The Silver Level

To fulfill the requirements for the Silver level, you must:

• Perform a payload flight built from an existing kit or plans.
• Perform a cluster flight (three or more motors) built from an existing kit or plans.
• Perform a 30-second glide recovery duration flight built from an existing kit or plans.
• Build and perform a scale model flight built from an existing kit or scale plans.

Upon completing these requirements you move to the next level -- Gold.

The Gold Level

To fulfill the requirements for the Gold level, you must:

• Design, construct, and fly a rocket of your own design.
• Calculate Center of Pressure and Center of Gravity.
• Predict altitude performance for different Cd.
• Make at least 3 flights with each of at least 2 types of motors (6 total flights minimum) and determine altitudes.
• Determine actual Cd from above data.

I plan to use my IA-X96 to record altitudes. Now I have to think about a rocket to build...