Want to certify for Medium or High Power flights?

Canberra Rocketry Group is pleased to be able to provide approved certification to the following skill, knowledge and experience-based certification levels:

Level	Entitlements	Certifying Authority
LPR	Motors up to and including class 'D' (total impulse not exceeding 20 N.s) and black powder 24mm 'E' motors.	Entry Level
MPR	Motors up to and including class 'G' (total impulse < 160 N.s, average thrust < 80 N and propellant mass < 62.5g)	Canberra Rocketry Group
HPR Level 1	Motors up to and including class 'I' (total impulse < 640 N.s)	Tripoli Rocketry Association
HPR Level 2	Motors up to and including class 'L' (total impulse < 5,120 N.s)	Tripoli Rocketry Association
HPR Level 3	Motors up to and including class 'O' (total impulse <40,960 N.s)	Tripoli Rocketry Association

 

Before considering any of the certification levels outlined above, members should carefully read and consider the information and requirements herein, as well as that provided on the Tripoli website at http://www.tripoli.org/Certification. The place to start is the CRG's Guidelines for Medium and High Power Rocketry Certification (PDF document).

Mid Power Rocketry Assessment

In 2022, the CRG is introducing a Mid-Power Rocketry assessment level. This mirrors that successfully operated by the New South Wales Rocketry Association for many years and we are indebted to our colleagues at the NSWRA for allowing the CRG to adopt this work and move towards greater consistency between rocketry clubs in Australia.

Members will need to undertake a mid power assessment if they wish to fly rockets at CRG launches using black powder or composite motors within the impulse range 20 Ns to 160 Ns (i.e. E to G classes). 

The CRG's Mid Power Assessment Procedure (PDF) outlines the process and experience requirements for seeking MPR assessment with the CRG. An equivalent successful assessment from another recognised rocketry group will be accepted.

High Power Rocketry Certification

To answer many of the questions that you may have about preparing for and undertaking your own HPR certification assessments, we've prepared the following outlines of the steps involved. The pathway that you choose will depend predominantly on the nature of your involvement:
 

I am interested in obtaining HPR certification and I am:	Reference
An individual pursuing rocketry as a hobby.	See the Individual Certification Requirements section below
A student doing an education course not related to rocketry.	See the Individual Certification Requirements section below
A student doing an education course involving rocketry in the syllabus. A teacher considering a course of education involving rocketry as part of the syllabus	See the Educational Institution Guidance section below
A student involved in a one-off formal rocketry project as part of a group.	See the Educational Project Guidance section below

Individual Certification Requirements

Our first recommendation - don't be in a rush to seek HPR certification.  Experience is key in all forms of rocketry - the skills you develop and consolidate in low and mid-power rocketry will stand you very well as you move towards your HPR goals. We've seen plenty of people rush into HPR with limited previous experience - only to experience failures and losses that probably wouldn't have occurred if they'd had a bit more LPR experience. Additionally, it's a lot cheaper to get experience in low and mid-power than it is at high-power!

Please review the Apogee Rockets Newsletter (Issue 446) that describes the seven most common errors made by high power certification aspirants. The advice in this document will help get you through the certification process.

Individuals seeking to pursue Tripoli Level-1 High Power certification through CRG should ensure they are able to satisfy the following basic minimum requirements:

1. Be a financial member of the Tripoli Rocketry Association. Membership of CRG is not required for visiting rocketeers, but is certainly encouraged to help us cover costs. A launch fee may be imposed if you are not a financial member.
2. Have passed a Mid-Power assessment (see above).
3. Have applied for and received from SafeWork NSW, a Pyrotechnician's Licence (endorsed for model rocket propellant devices) and a Security Clearance.
4. Have conducted a minimum of five (5) successful mid-power flights (a combination of E, F & G motors) with CRG or other recognised rocketry group.  The more experience the better though.
5. Have built and successfully flown multiple (i.e. more than one) rocketry vehicle (kits or scratch-builds), and
6. Have constructed the rocket being used for the certification attempt themselves.
7. Have completed and submitted the CRG's HPR Certification Application & Declaration form - at least one week prior to the launch event at which you'd like to attempt your L1 certification test flight.

Once you've got that stuff under your belt (or at any time), discuss your certification assessment with our Prefect.

Individuals seeking Tripoli Level-2 High Power certification through CRG should, in addition to having met all the requirements for and achieved Level-1 as above, be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Have sat and achieved a passing score on the Tripoli Rocketry Association Level-2 HPR examinations within the qualifying period.
2. Have undertaken at least five (5) successful Level-1 flights (H or I motors) with CRG or other recognised rocketry group.
3. Have built and successfully flown multiple (i.e. more than one) rocketry vehicle as part of their Level-1 experience, and
4. Have constructed the rocket being used for the certification attempt themselves.
5. Have completed and submitted the CRG's HPR Certification Application and Declaration form - at least one week prior to the launch event at which you'd like to attempt your L2 certification test flight.

Educational Institution Guidance

Canberra Rocketry Group strongly supports the inclusion of all forms of rocketry into the STEM programs of all educational institutions.  Rocketry allows students to bridge the gap between theory and the real-world in a way which is inspiring, challenging and lots of fun!

For educators wishing to bring High Power rocketry into their programs, we recommend that the class presenter, teacher, tutor or supervisor themselves seek HPR certification along the lines laid out for individuals (above).  This will ensure that, as a responsible party, you will have the necessary knowledge to keep all activities safe and extract the maximum value from the engagement. This process is not necessary for low and mid-power rocketry; it is only required if your group wishes to fly high-power rockets. CRG has professional educators on our committee and would be happy to discuss your requirements or ideas.

Students doing a course or subject involving rocketry that extends (or might extend) into the higher-power realm, we would in the first instance suggest that you encourage the course supervisor to obtain individual certification along the lines above.  This would certainly be the most practical and cost-effective way of meeting the legislative and certification requirements.  Contact us!

Educational Project Guidance

CRG recognises that students may also wish to pursue a one-off rocketry-based project as part of their secondary or tertiary education, yet may not be able to commit to the time and expense associated with seeking the necessary SafeWork NSW approvals and experience requirements.  In these cases, CRG can consider a one-time sponsored launch arrangement, whereby a suitably-endorsed and licensed CRG member can oversee and mentor the group for the necessary aspects of the vehicle design, construction, motor acquisition and flight.  This will provide access to our approved HPR launch site and a wealth of technical knowledge from our experienced team.

If your group would like to be considered for one-off sponsored launch arrangements, please contact CRG and provide us with comprehensive details of the project including: simulation & design files, the involved educational institution, and team members (particularly the team lead).

We'd be happy to help!