Ping Pong Parachute

Ping Pong Parachute is a new Division B and Division C event for the 2020 season. It was held as a trial event in Division C at the 2017 National Tournament, when it was previously known as Indoor Bottle Rocket.

Objective
NOTE: The following information is from the trial event rules, which may not be the same as the 2020 rules.

The event supervisors are to announce the ceiling height before the event starts. Rules are similar to Bottle Rocket, but a ping pong ball is used instead. The general objective of the event is to have the longest flight time while avoiding to hit the ceiling. Teams must design two rockets and must bring ping pong balls and eye protection. The event supervisor prepares the launcher.

Construction
The rocket must be made using a 1-liter or less plastic carbonated beverage bottle. Only tape is allowed to attach fins, and no metal nor commercial rocket parts can be used.

Dimensions were as followed:
 * The nozzle opening must have an internal diameter of approximately 2.2 cm (a 1/2-inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe must fit tightly inside the nozzle opening)
 * A standard neck height must be under 1.6 cm
 * Fins are to be placed 5cm or higher than the bottle's opening

Competition
Teams are to arrive to launch their rocket with safety goggles. If they do not have goggles, they may borrow them if time allows. The event supervisor or judge then inspects the rocket and then places it onto the launcher.

Competitors are given only thirty seconds to put the ping pong ball and recovery system into their launch positions. After doing so, they may not manipulate the rocket and prepare for their second launch. Rockets are launched at 40 psi.

Timing begins when the rocket separates from the launcher and stops when the ping-pong ball touches the ground, is slowed by an obstruction, or goes out of sight. Rockets aloft in the air will have time recorded in hundredths of a second.

Scoring
Scoring is based on the flight time of the ping pong ball. Any team that hits the ceiling will be placed into Tier 2. Teams that do not meet construction standards or do not bring safety goggles will not be permitted to launch.