TAP Pre-Flight Checklist

This is the information that the TAP member will be checking for in determining the applicability of signing off on a level 3 certification review.

General

• Is this member known to the TAP reviewer?
• Does this member have the appropriate Certification Level or will this be a Certification Flight?
• Does the proposed launch site and date have the appropriate recovery area and launch set-up for this flight?
• Does the Prefect require TAP Review?

Rocket Review - General

• Are there attachments to the Pre-Flight Data Capture?
• Drawings: airframe; structures; payloads, etc.
• Schematics: avionics, ignition systems, payloads, etc.
• Performance calculations: Center of Pressure; Center of Gravity, motor type, altitude, velocity, etc.

Rocket Review - Airframe

• Is the design generally suitable for the application?
• Is the airframe material suitable for this rocket?
• Is the fin material/attachment sound?
• Is the motor mount sound?
• Is the nosecone suitable?
• Is it a clustered motor rocket?
• What are the most probable airframe faults and corrective actions?
• What are the safety implications of an airframe failure?
• Are there any design change recommendations?

Rocket Review - Recovery System

• Is the recovery system attachment secure/suitable?
• Does the recovery system have sufficient capacity for a safe descent?
• What is the deployment system?
• What are the most probable deployment system faults and corrective actions?
• What are the safety implications of a recovery system failure?
• Are there any design change recommendations?

Rocket Review - Avionics Description

• Commercial or unique design?
• What are the functions of the avionics components?
• Are the avionics appropriate to the application?
• Do the avionics have flight safety implications?
• Can the avionics and inhibits be accessible from outside the vehicle?
• Are there safeing/arming indicators?
• Are any of the systems redundant?
• What are the most probable avionics system faults and corrective actions?
• What are the safety implications of an avionics system failure?
• Are there any design change recommendations?

Rocket Review - Motor

• Is the motor (or motors) suitable for the rocket?
• Are the motors Tripoli Certified?
• Is the motor ignition suitable?
• What are the most probable motor faults and corrective actions?
• What are the safety implications of a motor failure?
• Are there any design change recommendations?

Launch System

• Is the launcher suitable for the rocket?
• Is the launch lug, or rail guide suitable for the rocket?
• What will the launch angle be?
• Are there any special launch control requirements?
• What are the most probable faults with the launcher?
• What are the safety implications of a launcher failure?
• Are there any design change recommendations?

Performance

• How were the performance calculations done?
• Were the calculations done manually?
• Are the algorithms used correct?
• Were the calculations accomplished correctly?
• Was a computer used?
• What is the source of the software?
• Is the software suitable for this rocket?
• Are there printouts?
• Should the calculations be independently run?
• What are the safety implications of poor performance data?
• Are there any changes or recommendations?

Operations

• Is there a pre-flight checklist?
• Which operations does it cover?
• Are each the operations sufficiently documented?
• Are hazardous operations flagged?
• What are the safety implications of poor checklists?
• Are there any changes or recommendations?