This is from the official Tripoli website effective 8-10-2000 U.S. Rockets motors can be operated at any Tripoli EX launch. Special Note: Tripoli launch insurance is not in effect for any experimental launch that has not been approved by the Board of Directors. Tripoli launch insurance is null and void at any regular HPR launch (not experimental) where an experimental rocket motor is used. The Board of Directors does not approve experimental motors for use during regular HPR launches. Tripoli Research (Experimental) questions should be directed to Ben Russell, at benrussell@erols.com, or contact directly at: 703-754-8099 (home) and 703-754-8292 (work) TRIPOLI RESEARCH INTERIM LAUNCH RULES TERMS used in this document shall be interpreted to have the following meaning: [shall means always] 1. The terms, "motors" and "rocket motors" shall refer only to composite solid and nitrous oxide/solid fuel motors a.k.a.: hybrid motors. Black powder based motors shall not be included as composites, regardless of binder and/or formulation modifications. 2. "Regular Tripoli launch" shall refer to any Tripoli launch where non-certified motors are not allowed to be flown (i.e.: a non-experimental launch) 3. "Non-certified" motors shall refer to any motor which has not been certified by Tripoli Motor Testing and/or NAR for use by Tripoli members and being further defined as not approved for "Certification" flight use. [this provision currently applies to all U.S. Rockets motors] 4. Experimental Flight shall mean any flight with one or more experimental motor. 5. Experimental Motor shall mean any non-certified motor. [this provision currently applies to all U.S. Rockets motors] 6. BOD shall mean the Tripoli Rocketry, Inc. Board of Directors. TRIPOLI RESEARCH LAUNCH RULES: 1. All Tripoli experimental launches will take place at a time, which is to be separated from any other (non-experimental) launch at that same site by no less than 12 hours. For this purpose, site shall be defined as the primary parcel of land from which rockets are launched and all adjacent parcels which are owned by the same property owner. Operating separate range heads at separate locations on the same property will not meet this requirement unless launch/firing times for standard and experimental motor flights are separated by at least 24 hours. This rule shall apply to flights, static testing and static motor firing. 2. Tripoli Research launches will provide a venue for all non-certified solid composites and hybrid rocket motors. Commercial manufacturers will continue to [this provision currently applies to all U.S. Rockets motors] be allowed to "demo" motors at regular Tripoli launches as long as these motors are in the process of being certified. Motors which have been manufactured by a [this provision no longer applies to all Kosdon motors] commercial motor manufacturer which are not in the process of being certified and are not intended to be available to Tripoli members commercially, shall be deemed "experimental" and may be flown or fired only at Tripoli Research (experimental) launches. [this provision currently applies to all U.S. Rockets motors] 3. An application must be made to the Tripoli Board of Directors to hold any "Tripoli Experimental" launch. The application must include all of the following information: A. The location where the launch will be held. (example: Orangeburg, SC) B. The impulse range of motors which will be allowed. (example: "H" thru "L") C. The types of motors which will be allowed. (example: composite only) D. Date of proposed launch. "To be announced" is acceptable as long as the launch is in compliance with rule number 1 of this section. (Provide date ASAP) E. Event contact person (name, address and telephone number). This must be a knowledgeable person who can answer questions about the proposed launch. F. A list of persons who are experienced with experimental motors and who will be present at the proposed launch. G. Waiver altitude and launch altitude which may not be more than 75% of the waiver altitude. The BOD may waive this requirement when it can be demonstrated that ample recovery area is available. (example: Black Rock) H. Tripoli launch insurance is only valid for experimental launches that follow these rules and has been approved by the Board of Directors. 4. Minimum stand-off distance for any experimental rocket motor will be 125 feet or 125% of the Tripoli safety code requirement, whichever is greater. This shall apply to both flights and static testing. The launch director may require greater stand-off distances as he or she sees fit. (Also see rule #8 which is in addition to these minimum stand-off distances.) 5. No motors shall be fabricated of steel. This shall apply to cases, front and rear closures and nozzles. Screws, washers, compression rings and related closure and sealing devices shall be exempt from this requirement. 6. The event Launch Director or RSO may, for any reason, refuse to allow the firing of any motor that he or she deems to be unsafe. Decisions of the launch director and the RSO shall in every case, be final. 7. All experimental motor flights must be flown (aimed) away from spectators by an angle of no less than 2 degrees from vertical. No flight shall be flown (aimed) over any launch spectators. 8. Non-Tripoli members and children under 18 years of age will not be allowed in any experimental motor preparation, launch or test firing areas. Children and non- Tripoli members will be required to remain 100 feet from preparation areas and from the firing line at all times. These distances may be increased at the discretion of the launch director or RSO. 9. No experimental rockets may be launched when lightning strikes are within site of the range head. 10. Flight cards will be filled out with the following information: motor(s): type (composite, etc.), total power, propellant type, average calculated thrust per second, burn time. Recovery: number and size of parachutes, number and type of electronic ejection devices (altimeters, R/C, timers, etc.). Flight results: a narrative of how the motor, rocket and flight performed. Flight cards from experimental launches will be made available to the Tripoli Research committee for study and review. 11. All experimental flights will use at least one electronic recovery device as the primary means of actuating vehicle recovery. Motor delays may be used as back-up devices only. 12. Switches using mercury to complete a circuit, pull wires (to disconnect or to complete a circuit) and "pressure roller" switches may not be used to initiate the lighting of any rocket motor. 13. The Tripoli Safety Code shall be in effect (except as modified herein) at all Tripoli Experimental launches. 14. Igniter systems for all motors above "N" shall utilize at least two (2) independently functioning primary igniting devices. Note: this refers to the primary source of ignition only. (i.e.: to the electric match but not to other pyrogens contained in the Igniter) 15. Every flight at Tripoli Research Launches must contain at least one experimental, non-certified motor. Any flight using one or more non-certified motors shall be deemed to be an experimental flight. 16. Attendance will be limited to Tripoli members and their guest only. Members will be responsible for the conduct of their guest. [this provision currently applies to all U.S. Rockets agents] 17. Maximum motor size for Tripoli Experimental launches shall be "P" and maximum installed power at any Tripoli Research launch shall be "Q", provided launch and recovery areas are sufficient. The use of motors or clusters of motors which exceed these limits shall require review and approval by the BOD on a case by case basis. Evidence supporting the design and safety of such projects shall be submitted to the BOD and/or their assigns for review. In the event that BOD approval is granted, said approval shall apply only to a single event, at a single location. 18. Only composite and nitrous oxide hybrid motors may be fired at Tripoli Research launches.