Ping Pong Parachute

Template:EventLinksBox Ping Pong Parachute is a Division B and Division C event for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. It was held as a trial event in Division C at the 2017 National Tournament, when it was previously known as Indoor Bottle Rocket. It was also held as a trial event in New Jersey in 2017 and 2018.

Objective

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

The event supervisors/tournament organizers are to announce the ceiling height at least 1 month before the tournament. 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 may design up to 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

These dimensions are those of a standard carbonated beverage bottle. Most bottles made by major manufacturers should be legal.

Practice Logs

Teams must submit a practice log of recorded data for each rocket used. Logs must include 3 required parameters and 2 additional of the competitors' choice. Required parameters are:

• Pressure, in psi
• Measured or estimated max height, in feet
• Time aloft, in seconds

Participants may choose two other relevant parameters, but they must be included in the log.

Competition

Teams are to arrive to launch their rocket with safety goggles. If they do not have goggles, they may obtain 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 a psi of the competitors' choice but cannot exceed 65 psi. Pressures should be justified by log data.

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 hits the ceiling. 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. If the Parachute does not separate from the rocket, it is placed in Tier 2. Any team that hits the ceiling will be placed into Tier 3. Teams that do not meet construction standards or do not bring safety goggles will not be permitted to launch.

External Links

Draft Rules