Level 3 Certification Questions & Answers

Q? Can my level three project be signed off on the Internet?

A. While a Web page can be an invaluable tool in helping evaluate a project, it's very difficult to accurately judge and provide meaningful feedback when trying to evaluate a project based on information provided on the web. One authorizing signature may be given based on an internet evaluation provided the TAP member is comfortable doing so, however, doing so makes it even more imperative that the second signature be obtained only after a through physical inspection of your project documentation file AND you’re essentially flight ready project!

Q? I've been flying large projects for a long time, why must I back up and fly a certification flight?

A. Tripoli’s three step certification process is our way of self regulation of the impulse limits our members are allowed to fly. If in fact you have been flying large projects then lead by example and do your cert flights.

Q? If I can participate in Tripoli research with level two certification why can't I fly an experimental motor in my level three project?

A. Tripoli rules clearly state that ALL certification flights shall be flown on certified motors only.

Q? My TAP members seem to have, an ax to grind, they are being too hard on my project. Is there an appeal process?

A. Hopefully personalities can be kept out of your level three evaluation but if you feel that someone is being too judgmental try to talk it through. Please don't go "shopping" for an easier sign-off. I will always be available to evaluate a project, however don't expect me to override decisions of my committee without a very large amount of convincing on your part!

Q? I've developed a special material for my fins and I don't feel the need to disclose what it is to anyone at this point, so your just going to have to trust my judgment as to it's suitability.

A. If you develop the ultimate building material and feel the need not to disclose what it is, that's ok but you need to have done enough testing on it to be sure that it will withstand whatever stress will be placed upon it and be ready to make your test results available to TAP.

Q? Level three projects sure are expensive, can I team up with a couple of buddies and all fly the same rocket?

A. If you look at TRA cert flights as an entrance exam to the next power level you can understand why we say no. There is absolutely no way for anyone but the team members to know who did what. The object of certification is one rocket, one builder. It's your accomplishment why make it less of one by not doing it all yourself? Should you decide on a group project that includes any motor over 5201 Newton seconds someone on your team needs to be level three before it can be flown.

Q? My prefecture is holding a Tripoli research launch. I want to fly my cert three there, some tell me I can, some tell me I can't. What's the real ruling on this?

A. Certification flights may be flown at NON Tripoli sanctioned launches if all parties involved are agreeable, however, no certification flights are allowed at TRA research sanctioned launches.

Q? My project is finished. I allowed it to be inspected by two TAP members at the launch I planned to fly. They didn't seem interested in even inspecting my project and then told me I had to change some things. They wouldn't sign my project off and told me that unless I made the changes they would not let me fly it!

A. That's the way its supposed to work. You need to involve TAP during the design phase of your project, remember everyone on TAP has successfully completed a level three project. In almost all cases there has been enough flexibility on the part of TAP to allow for more than one way to do things. Involve TAP early in your project and avoid disappointment!

AN OBSERVATION

There has been considerable debate over the need for waiting periods or requiring members to have a certain number of flights at their current certification level before allowing them to advance to the next. When the three level program was started we had a six month waiting period between levels and the membership didn't like it so we removed it. The same arguments made in 1994 are still as valid as they were then. Waiting periods in no way insure competence, the member may not fly during his waiting period. Numbering flights is a nightmare to track, may have had twenty flights and fifteen failures. Who could possibly track something like that?

We have in place a system, while not perfect, does a very credible job of seeing that unsafe projects do not get flown. Our overworked launch officials deserve a hearty Thank You from every TRA member for keeping our launches safe and enjoyable family events.