Are you looking to increase your rocketry skills and want recognition of this achievement? The NAR's program, called NARTREK is designed to do just this. It is a great program that walks you through a series of challenges designed to make you a better rocketeer. It is what we here at Apogee would have designed to recognize and reward modelers for achievement, but the NAR beat us too it. But we highly recommend that everyone go through these programs.

NARTREK is a program designed to improve your knowledge and skills in many areas of rocketry. It is a self-paced program that leads you step-by-step. NARTREK stands for "National Association of Rocketry Training Rocketeers for Experience and Knowledge. Even seasoned rocketry veterans are encouraged to participate to gain and refine their rocketry abilities.  To register for NARTREK and to download full documentation, please visit the NARTREK website (Apogee does not run the actual program, so please contact the NAR for specific questions regarding the achievement levels).

Below are packages and tips for completing each of the NARTREK Achievement levels.
Bronze | Silver | Gold | Additional Products for Success

The first achievement level is called the "Bronze" level. It is designed to develop your knowledge and skills through the novice level of rocketry. While it may seem an easy and straightforward, there are strict requirements for each of the four areas, which can be tricky to meet. It would be a challenge for even the "old-hands" that have been in rocketry for years.

While some choose to design and fly their own customized rockets for Bronze, we at Apogee Components offer several kits that are excellent choices for each of the four requirements at this level.  Purchased separately, the below items would normally cost $72.99.  Save $3.65 by purchasing this package!

More challenging than Bronze, the Silver Achievement Level requires you to work with several varieties of rockets, from payloads to boost gliders.  Every one of the required rocket types features construction skills unique to each and can require more precise modeling skills.

While some choose to design and fly their own customized rockets for Silver, we offer several kits that are excellent choices for each of your requirements.  Purchased separately, the below items would normally cost $69.68.  Save $3.48 by purchasing this package!

For the Gold Achievement Level, you are required to design your own rocket, construct it and fly it.  While this can seem like an intimidating challenge, we have several products, newsletters and videos to help you on your way.

Step 1: Design your Rocket

RockSim
RockSim is Apogee's premier model rocket design and simulation program.  You can start with an existing design and modify it to make it your own or design completely from scratch.  Try before you buy and download the trial version! 

Step 2: Construct and Fly Your Rocket

Model Rocket Design and Construction
Get the knowledge and tips you need to design and build your own rockets.  Written by Apogee owner Tim Van Milligan, this books is all about making rocket design easy.  Rocket Science - Simplified! That's what this 328 page book is all about. It takes the all the tough aspects of creating unique looking rockets, and breaks it down into easy and simple steps. And we really mean "simple!"

Advanced Construction Videos
We have made many YouTube videos that will show you the techniques to build great looking model rockets that are light and strong. When you start following these tips, your rockets will fly higher, faster, and will survive harder landings. And your friends will be in awe of your building talents.

"Peak of Flight" Newsletter
Every two weeks, Apogee sends out a digital PDF newsletter containing fantastic tips from both readers and customers as well as our own "Mr. Rocket." We also have online access to the archive of all our back-issues, so you can browse to find just the flying tip or construction technique you were looking for.  Sign up to be on the list for future newsletters!

Scratch-build Parts
Apogee is your one-stop-shop for all your scratch-build needs! We've got tubes, nose cones, balsa for fins, engine mounts, launch lugs, parachutes and even modeling tools! Just have a look at your RockSim design to determine tube diameter and go from there, picking out all the parts you'll need!

Altimeters
One of the Gold requirements is to submit your actual recorded altitude. We offer many choices for altimeters, but the the AltimeterOne and AltimeterTwo are ideal for small rockets, particularly those designed without payload tubes. The AltimeterOne will display your peak altitude on it's LCD screen while the AltimeterTwo will display speed, acceleration and flight section times as well. 

Step 3: Submit paperwork and drawings documenting your design

Again, RockSim will handle just about all of this for you.  You need to submit drawings showing several pieces of data, all of which is already calculated in your RockSim design.  RockSim provides:

1. Dimensioned drawing of the model design.
2. Calculation of the Center of Pressure of my design.
3. Center of Gravity measurements and stability calculations.
   
4. Calculated altitude performance of the model assuming different values of drag coefficient