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Competition Guidelines
(Work-In-Progress)
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Water Rocket Achievement Recognition Guidelines
International Water Rocket Association
(A1) All water rocket enthusiasts, IWRA members or non-members are eligible to set any international water rocket achievement records. The association recognizes both organized competition records (Marked "RED") and individual record achievements (Marked "BLUE").
(A2) Records set during recognized competitions shall be officially recognized by the IWRA without the detailed Peer-Review process. Only questionnaires from the rocketeer and Contest Director are required.
(A2A) Records set outside of an organized competition will have to follow the IWRA Peer-Review process for their records to be considered for Recognition.
(A2B) All rocketeers should make photos and other supporting documentation of their record attempt public. This can be done by setting up a website, or by uploading the files to photo and video share sites. The documentation must be available online until the record attempt is either recognized or rejected by the IWRA.
(A3) Once a record is accepted by the Peer-Review Board and posted on the IWRA website, the Association membership has 30 days to request clarification or protest a record and how it was achieved.
(A3A)The Peer-Review Board will follow-up on any protests and make a ruling. Their ruling may be appealed by the rocketeer to the current IWRA President, who's decision is final. This process applies to ALL records. This is why all rocketeers are advised to keep complete records of the attempt, i.e. altimeter logs, video, photos etc. public to back up their claim.
(A4) Peer-Review Board members will abstain from reviewing their own record attempts. The IWRA President will fill-in as needed.
(A5) IWRA Safety Codes shall apply.It is the responsibility of the individual participants and competition organizers to have all competitors follow good water rocket safety practices at all times. The IWRA Safety Code should be followed as a minimum guideline, although competition organizers may impose stricter rules. Failure to follow at least the minimum safety guidelines could result in the record being rejected for recognition.
General Information:
(B1) Classes will apply equally in competitions for altitude, distance over ground, flight duration (with or without deployed assistance) and accuracy. Competition organizers shall have the right to set additional specific rules for their particular competitions. Please note: IWRA competition recognition is based on competitors following the competition classes listed below. Failure to follow the minimum standards set below may result in no achievement recognition by the IWRA.
(B2) In all classes, rockets must be free of all static objects that aid in propulsion (Launch tubes) at a height no greater than the total length of the rocket being flown.
(B3) The use of ground-based aids for propulsion, (with the exception of an internal launch tube) or the use of any in-flight devices not powered solely by the reaction to the release of pressure using compressed gas and/or water is prohibited. The above does not prohibit the use of other forms of energy if they can be proven not to assist in the propulsion of the rocket. (i.e.if used for parachute deployment, electricity for altimeters, etc.)
(B4) Water rocket pressurization may be by any legal means as long as it falls into the definition of a water rocket and the safety code is followed. This includes hand pumps, air compressors and bottled gas (CO2, Nitrogen, etc). No combustion or chemical reactions in the pressure chamber are allowed.
Competition Divisions:
(C1) Distinct records are maintained for three different competitor Divisions:
A Division: Ages 17 and below
B Division: Ages 18 and above
C Division: Teams of any age (See possible class restrictions below)
(C2) Competitors within divisions A and B shall be the primary builder (80% of the total rocket). Age restrictions apply to the age of the rocketeer on the day of the record attempt.
Division Restrictions:
Restrictions: X-Open Class:
(C3) A Division rocketeers and C Division teams entirely under the age of 18 are forbidden from competing within the X-Open class due to the inherent safety issues related to this class. However, as long as there is at least one C Division team member over the age of 18, the entire team can compete within the X-Open class. An adult must provide supervision for the younger team members at all times during pressure chamber testing and flight operations.
Competition Classes:
(D1) Competition Classes are based on materials and performance factors of the water rocket pressure vessel. All rockets must be built without the use of commercially available rocket parts (nose cone, tail fins, ect) and meet the definition of a water rocket (See definitions below).
(D1A) Any rocket that meets the qualifications of more than one class must compete in the lower-numbered class. There are six (6) recognized classes of pressure vessel construction:
(D2)Class 1 - Unmodified Bottle Pressure Vessel
Pressure vessel to comprise of a single, unmodified, plastic (Pete) bottle.
No more then 20% of the pressure vessel shall be reinforced for attachment of tail fins or nose cone only.
Any type of nozzle may be used.
Single stage construction only.
(D3)Class 2 - Unmodified FTC Pressure Vessel
Pressure vessel to comprise of a single, unmodified FTC (Florescent Tube Cover - T8/T12).
No more then 20% of the pressure vessel shall be reinforced for attachment of tail fins or noise cone only.
Any type of nozzle may be used.
Single stage construction only.
Some form of a recovery system technology must be used.
(D4)Class 3 - Modified Bottle Pressure Vessel
Pressure vessel to comprise of plastic (Pete) bottle.
Unlimited reinforcement of the pressure vessel is allowed.
Bottle shape may be modified by heat or other means.
Pressure vessel must not conduct electricity.
Any type of nozzle may be used.
Single stage construction only.
Some form of a recovery system technology must be used.
(D5)Class 4 - Modified FTC Pressure Vessel
Pressure vessel to comprise of a single plastic FTC (Florescent Tube Cover).
Unlimited reinforcement of the pressure vessel is allowed.
FTC Shape may be modified by heat or other means.
Pressure vessel must not conduct electricity.
Any type of nozzle may be used.
Single stage construction only.
Some form of a recovery system technology must be used.
(D6)Class 5 - Open Class Bottle and/or FTC Pressure Vessel
Pressure vessel to comprise of plastic (Pete) bottle(s) and/or FTC(s) (Florescent Tube Cover - T8/T12).
Unlimited reinforcement of the pressure vessel(s) is allowed.
Splicing, layering, multiple stages are allowed.
Bottle(s) and FTC(s) shape may be modified by heat or other means.
Pressure vessel must not conduct electricity.
Some form of a recovery system technology must be used.
(D7)Class 6 - Open-X Class using other forms of Pressure Vessel
Pressure vessel(s) must be constructed with non non-metallic external parts for the nose, body, and fins.
The pressure chamber(s) shall not be made from any commercially available pressure tanks.
Unlimited reinforcement of the pressure vessel(s) is allowed.
Splicing, layering, multiple stages and hybrids are allowed.
The pressure vessel(s) must not conduct electricity.
Rocket must meet the definition of a water rocket.
Some form of a recovery system technology must be used.
Abbreviation Glossary:
(E1) The prefix "P" after the event number denotes a pending record (not yet finalized).
The suffix "RC" after the event number indicates a record set by a radio-controlled rockets.
Alt - Altitude
HD - Helicopter Duration
BG - Boost/Glider
PD - Parachute Duration
PL Alt - Payload
DEL Alt - Dual Egg Lofting Altitude
RG - Rocket/Glider
DEL Dur - Dual Egg Lofting Duration
RG R/C - Radio-Controlled Glider
EL Alt - Egg Lofting Altitude
SD - Streamer Duration
EL Dur - Egg Lofting Duration
Flex BG - Flex-wing Boost Glider
COMPETITIONS:
The IWRA recognizes many different forms of competitions which will be based on four(4) main groupings:
01 - Altitude Competitions:
1A. Altitude: Achieve the highest altitude. The highest altitude is an average of two flights of the same rocket, within a two hour period.
1B. Predicted Altitude: Fly rocket as closely as possible to an altitude the competitor predicts.
1C. Set Altitude: Fly rocket as closely as possible to an altitude chosen by the Contest Director. The altitude is announced in advance of the meet and is the same for everyone.
1D. Random Altitude: Fly rocket as close to as possible to an altitude chosen by chance on the day of the meet. The altitude is the same for everyone.
1E. Payload:
1E1. Carry a one-ounce cylinder of sand to the highest possible altitude.
1E2. Carry a fresh hen's egg to the highest possible altitude.
1E3. Carry two fresh hen's eggs to the highest possible altitude.
02 - Duration Competitions:
In general, duration rockets are not allowed to separate (recover in two or more pieces). This also limits most duration rockets to being single staged.
2A. Parachute Duration: Stay aloft the longest with one or more parachutes.
2B. Streamer Duration: Stay aloft the longest with a single streamer.
2C. Helicopter Duration: Stay aloft the longest with a rocket that uses autorotation as the sole recovery device.
2D. Payload Duration:
2D1. Carry a one-ounce cylinder of sand to the highest possible altitude.
2D2. Stay aloft the longest while carrying a fresh hen's egg.
2D3. Stay aloft the longest while carrying two fresh hen's eggs.
2E. Boost/Glider Duration: Stay aloft the longest with a rocket-boosted glider. The rocket is allowed to separate and may be multi-staged, since only the glider portion is timed.
2F. Rocket/Glider Duration: Stay aloft the longest with a rocket-boosted glider. Nothing is allowed to separate -- the entire rocket must boost vertically, but must return in a stable glide.
2G. Flex-Wing Boost/Glider Duration: Same as Boost/Glider, except the glider must use flexible wings.
2G1. Predicted Duration: Stay aloft as closely as possible to a time you predict.
2G2. Set Duration: Stay aloft as closely as possible to a time chosen by the Contest Director. The time is announced in advance of the meet and is the same for everyone.
2G3. Random Duration: Stay aloft as closely as possible to a time chosen by chance on the day of the meet. The time is the same for everyone.
03 – Ground Distance Competitions:
Due to the inherent power and distance that can be achieved with water rockets, an upper limit of 50 PSI/3.5 bars is required. Only Class 1 and 2 rockets are allowed to compete for the following records.
It is the responsibility of competition organizers to have all competitors follow good water rocket safety rules at all times, especially when launching water rockets off of vertical. Launch angle should never be less than 30 degrees.
3A. Ground Distance 50: Horizontal distance traveled by a Class 1 rocket with a limit of 50 PSI or 3.5 Bar ambient air pressure.
Launch angle of 30 degrees or greater only.
3B. Ground Distance 50: Horizontal distance traveled by a Class 2 rocket with a limit of 50 PSI or 3.5 Bar ambient air pressure.
Launch angle of 30 degrees or greater only.
04 - Miscellaneous Competitions:
4A. Spot Landing: Land your rocket closest to the spot chosen by the Contest Director. The spot is the same for everyone and must be at least 70 meters away from the launch point.
Measure the distance from the spot in centimeters. Your score is the average of three (3)attempts.
Any recovery system and class is allowed.
4B. Radio-Controlled Glider: A combination of Boost/Glider Duration, Set Duration, and Spot Landing. The object is to fly a Radio-Controlled Boost/Glider as close as possible to a time duration set by the Contest Director, while landing it as close as possible to a spot determined by the Contest Director.
DEFINITIONS SECTION:
DEFINITIONS: Construction Materials:
(F1) Classes 1 and 3 require the use of commercially made and commonly available PETE soda bottles. No custom blown bottles are allowed in these classes.
(F2) Classes 2 and 4 require a polycarbonate tube manufactured specifically to cover florescent lights, an FTC, of size T8 or T12.
All other plastic tubes must compete in the Open-X Class.
(F3) Only lightweight, non-metallic external parts for the nose, body, and fins should be used so that the rocket does not conduct electricity. Because carbon fiber is conductive, it must be covered with epoxy or other covering.
(F4) Never use “GLASS” or other breakable containers at any time.
(F5) Use only carbonated beverage bottles or pressure chambers that are designed to handle the envisioned flight pressures.
(F6) Open-X class rockets are exempt from construction restrictions as long as all external surfaces are non conductive and they meet the definition of a water rocket.
DEFINITIONS: NOZZLES
(F7) Nozzles are any design feature with an outlet diameter smaller than that of the pressure chamber that allows the expulsion mass to be expelled from the pressure chamber.
DEFINITIONS: REACTION MASS
(F8) In all cases, reaction mass is a term used to indicate water as the primary reaction mass. A minimum of 5% reaction mass to the total volume of the pressure vessel must be used.
DEFINITIONS: REACTION MASS ADDITIVES (Water/Additives)
(F9) Any environmentally friendly additives (i.e. soap to produce foam)can be added to the reaction mass as long as no chemical reaction occurs that contributes to the total energy output.
DEFINITIONS: Recovery System
(F10) A recovery system is any device that, once deployed, slows the rockets' rate of descent to a safe level. Examples of common recovery systems are parachutes, streamers and backsliding.
DEFINITIONS: Reinforcement:
(F11) Unlimited pressure chamber reinforcement shall be restricted to Modified and Open classes only. Any reinforcement that conducts electricity (e.g. carbon fiber) must be covered with epoxy or other non-conductive material.
(F12) Reinforcement of unmodified classes is only intended for providing attachment points for nose cone and/or fins. In all cases, no more then 20% of the total of an unmodified class pressure chamber can be reinforced.
Reinforcement greater than 20% will force the rocket into one of the modified classes.
DEFINITIONS: Water Rockets (1)
(F13) For the purposes of competition rules, a ‘Water Rocket’ is defined as any vessel propelled solely by its reaction to the expulsion of an inert liquid (water) mass through a nozzle by the force of an inert gas.
References:
Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum
ASME International
International Water Rocket Challenge
National Association of Rocketry
National Physical Laboratory Water Rocket Challenge
SECME Science Olympiad
X PRIZE Foundation: Eggs Prize Program
© 2008 International Water Rocket Association.
Revised: 02-09-2008
