Really all depends on what you're looking to get out of your participation. If you're into scale modeling and low power points competitions, then the NAR is probably the way to go. If you'd rather explore the edges of altitude and higher power, than TRA is the way to go. Each org offers about the same support and benefits thru Level One and beyond that, the differences start to come into play. Membership in both is sort of redundant for the lower power levels but provides for the opportunities to fly at pretty much any event. A real NAR weeenie spells it Triple E. I'm Biased, I know it, and still proudly support both National Organizations.

If you are stopping at L1, then I would suggest joining NAR, as there are more fields and events to fly from with the smaller rockets (and close by). Contesting in the regionals is fun, does not cost as much as high power, and in many ways the construction is more challenging because there are so many variations of rockets flown, like helicopter, boost gliders, flex wing, egglofters, etc. I've learned a lot from flying in all catagories, but having intense NAR competition on a weekend offers a little more juice for my interests. L1, with motor deployment falls in the realm on not needing electronics, so the expense stays low. HP competition really comes down to individual achievement as you obtain more skills to push the envelope to higher plateaus. It's all fun. If you aren't going to go expiremental than there doesn't seem to be much need to join the TRA.

FYI, come out and compete in CRASH's BMMRC IV regional on Nov 1 and 2. A couple of us from NCR will be there for that contest.

Thanks for the thoughts. I've still got some time to figure out my chosen organization, but the work on my L1 project is progressing nicely so I shouldn't wait too long. I finished the dual deployment bay and will soon be learning all about ejection charge sizing. I was hoping to keep the rocket dry weight under 500 grams/18 oz, but I think I'll bust that by a 100 grams or so.

... my L1 project is progressing nicely so I shouldn't wait too long. I finished the dual deployment bay and will soon be learning all about ejection charge sizing. ....

Chad, That's a fairly complex rocket for your L1. It's a good choice if you are also going to use it for your L2, but if your dual deployment doesn't do what you asked it to, and the rocket is not safely recovered, you might not get the cert on the flight. Can you modularize it so that you can add the dual deploy later?

I'm in Louisville, if you need any help.

After building the electronics bay, I agree that is was complex. It is a very tight fit in a 2.2" tube. But I like the challenge. I like to build rockets as light as possible and emphasize the engineering and structure over brute force principles. I don't think it will take the impulse of a Level 2 motor. Anything over 200 N impulse/sec would be pushing it. We'll see how it goes. Worst that can happen is that I fail and learn something.

I really need the dual deploy experience. After barely recovering my E record rocket and spending hours hunting for Adrian's G shots, I think that dual deploy in a mid power rocket has merit.

The fin design assumes a 150 gram payload for stability. I suppose I could replace it with a weighted coupler and duct the engine ejection through the mid section that would store the 12" drouge, through the coupler, and into the upper section which holds a 36" chute. Lemme think about that.