1. What has been the biggest challenge so far in the preparations for NARAM?
The biggest challenge so far has been finding a hotel that could meet our requirements. When I ran my
last NARAM, there were a number of places that bid on hosting the NARAM. I was very surprised to find
that there are very few hotels in the far west part of the valley that could handle a NARAM. I am happy
that we were able to line up the Hampton Inn, though, as it will be a nice NARAM HQ.
2. How many participants are you expecting?
We budgeted for between 100 and 125, and it looks as though that’s still on target. That is a small number
for a NARAM, but the fact that it’s in the west limits participation – more NAR members live in the east and
Midwest. Combine that with high gas prices, and it holds the total number down a bit.
3. What vendors are coming to NARAM (and what services will be available at the launch site)?
SSS will be selling water and soda on the field to help keep people hydrated. The hotel will also be
providing “on the go” breakfast bags to each registered guest. It looks as though most of the vendors
will be selling products from their suites in the hotel rather than from the field. That’s probably a good
idea, as it limits the amount of work it takes to haul merchandise to and from the field. Currently, the vendors
listed on the website are planned. In addition, we have a new vendor that will make its debut at NARAM.
The vendor turned out to be a major sponsor for NARAM, but I can not reveal what’s going on until NARAM.
You’ll just have to show up to find out!
4. What special contingencies are planned for the heat?
We expect to have an EMT on site all week to help with any problems that crop up, and he will have access
to an air conditioned RV. We also will have a 30’ x 30’ tent set up near the flight line as a prep area for the
contestants. Hopefully, by getting off the field no later than noon, we will avoid most of the day’s heat and
the problems that go with it.
5. What do the winners get?
We will have trophies for first place through fourth place in each competition age category (A, B, C & Team)
for each of the ten events that we fly. In addition, we will award larger meet champion trophies for first place
through fourth place in each competition age category to the flyers that do the best at NARAM. The biggest trophies
will go to the National Champions, who have the most points at the end of NARAM after combining their regular
contest season points with their NARAM points. Trophies go to the top four places in each category, and also for
the top four clubs (NAR sections).
There are also some special awards that will be handed out at the Awards Banquet at the Challenger Center.
To the top section, the NAR Section Banner is awarded; it dates to the NAR’s early days and has even flown on
the Space Shuttle, courtesy of astronaut Jay Apt. The LAC Newsletter Award trophy is presented to the best
newsletter; it is a huge trophy that has all sorts of special rocket memorabilia hidden within it (The only way you
get to know what’s in it is to win it and take it apart!) There is also the Gregorek Award, presented to the A Division
rocketeer with the best craftsmanship in a randomly selected NARAM event. The award is in memory of the son of
Dr. Gerry Gregorek, who wrote Estes’s technical report on altitude prediction.
6. How long will the special room rates still be available?
The room rates will be available until NARAM starts; however, the block that we had reserved will be opened up
to the public by June 30, so if you haven’t gotten your reservation, you need to do it pronto. The suites are quite
nice, with a full size refrigerator and a DVD player in each one.
7. What special Guests and fun activities are planned?
We have a special guest speaker on Sunday night – Phoenix native Lee Piester will talk about the early days of
Centuri. Monday night will feature the NAR Open forum, where members can ask questions of the Board of Trustees.
We plan a Monster Kitbash session – for $10, you can build two rockets from a huge box of parts provided courtesy
of Quest. The Manufacturer’s Forum is an interesting way to find out about the latest products from
Aerotech, Quest, Apogee, Dr. Zooch, BMS, Saturn Press, and others. You can catch the Research and Development
oral presentations, or attend the NAR auction, where all sorts of goodies are available. We are also working on a
guest speaker from the Rocket Racing League for one night. And, there’s nothing that can replace just wandering
from room to room at the hotel, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Contrary to the rumors, beer-lofting
will not be an official contest event at NARAM; it’ll be just for fun!
8. Is launch equipment going to be provided by the club for all participants, or should flyers bring their own launchers?
Unlike our SS meets, NARAM will provide the basic launch equipment you need to fly. To fly a contest flight, you will go to
check-in with your rocket and your engine. The person doing check in will perform a safety check and make sure your model
complies with the rules for the event. They will take care of your flight card (yea!) also. You then go to the pad assignment
person, and tell them if you need a par with a rod other that 1/8” (a limited number of 3/16” and ¼” rods will also be available).
If you are using a tower or special launcher, you will need to provide that, as well as a set of extension clips to reach from the
pad to your tower.
At each contest pad, there is a paddle with your launch pad number on it. When you are hooked up and ready to fly, you pick up
the paddle so it can be clearly seen. The pad manager will put you in line to be flown. All the launches are controlled from a central
launch controller, and the LCO actually pushes the launch button for flights. The RSO will check to ensure that the timers/trackers/judges
are ready to go for you flight, and that it is safe to fly, and then announce the countdown.
After your model has flown, if the contest rules require it, you will take it back to the range tent to the returns table and get your
flight card marked that you brought the model back. (1/4A PD, B BG and F Altitude do not require returns unless the RSO requires
it – usually to see if the engine ejected).
We will have a bulletin board that will have results posted as we process them; you will be able to check your results shortly
after you fly. Final results for each event will be posted at the hotel later that night.