I. Mission

1. To support and promote the interests and activities of all sport rocketry enthusiasts.

II. Statement

1. The sport rocketry community is composed of a diverse population of participants which include children, beginning recreational flyers, experienced rocketeers, and recognized rocketry experts who each exhibit wide-ranging interests, goals, and capabilities. Sport rocketry may be generally classified into two main categories; self-regulated rocketry and amateur rocketry.

2. Self-regulated rocketry is composed of those enthusiasts who belong to, or participate with, national certification and qualifying organizations such as the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA). Members of these organizations adhere to published Safety Codes and follow established certification and qualifying procedures as they progress in their rocketry pursuits. For the purposes of certification, and compliance with government regulations on the size of rockets and the altitudes they may reach, sport rocketry has been further subdivided into model rocket, large model rocket, and hi-power rocketry (consisting of Level 1, 2, and 3 certifications). One defining characteristic of the national organizations is the strict adherence by members to the safety code's requirement that only commercially manufactured and self-certified rocket motors be used in sport rocketry. (The TRA has one exception to this, the NAR has none.)

3. Amateur rocketry is an all encompassing term applied to those who practice sport rocketry outside of the self-regulated organizations. Amateur rocketry enthusiasts and amateur rocketry organizations pursue sport rocketry with an open-ended approach which allows and requires activities outside those of the safety codes and policies set by the self-regulating organizations. A defining characteristic of amateur rocketry lies in the development and use of rocket motors and rocket motor propellants by amateur sport rocketry enthusiasts. It should be noted that amateur rocketry is a legitimate and completely legal endeavor and that sport rocketry itself was founded by amateur rocketry enthusiasts.

4. Many enthusiasts pursue both types of sport rocketry. The purpose of GARY is to form an organization which can support and promote the interests of all sport rocketry enthusiasts. This organization sees self-regulated rocketry and amateur rocketry as only different approaches to sport rocketry in general and makes no assertion whatsoever as to the relative merits of either. Both endeavors are seen as equally constructive, useful, and necessary. The phrase "sport rocketry" is meant to include self-regulated and amateur rocketry and will be used as such in all GARY literature.

III. Goals

1. To promote the interests of all sport rocketry enthusiasts in a consistent and informed manner to members, the public, educational institutions, industrial organizations, and government agencies.

2. Sponsor and facilitate launches and educational events open to the public in order to foster increased understanding of, and participation in, sport rocketry within the local community.

3. To form relationships with established organizations in related fields to promote mutually beneficial programs and activities.

4. To promote American technological expertise in science and aerospace by encouraging youth, students, and interested adults to pursue technologically challenging activities involving sport rocketry and sport rocket systems, payloads, and ground support equipment.

5. To develop close ties with sport rocketry component manufacturers and vendors in order to secure economical sport rocketry components in the marketplace and to promote the commercial success of sport rocketry related businesses by supplying business with accurate and timely feedback on the needs and requirements of the sport rocket community.

IV. Example GARY project

1. Electronic systems are an integral part of many sport rockets. Flight control computers, flight parameter sensing systems, and recovery system activation and safety systems rely heavily on electrical and electronic devices.

2. GARY believes an Electronic Flight Systems standard would promote interoperability, increase reliability, and lower the costs of sport rocket electronic devices. Interconnect bus, interfacing, and electrical signal standards for flight electronics would increase consumer choice and options by allowing decreased manufacturing development costs.

3. To this end, GARY announces a Call For Papers on sport rocket Electronic Flight System Standards and asks interested members to form the requisite Research Group to analyze proposals and implement a GARY Recommendation if deemed necessary and appropriate by a majority vote of all members.

V. Example GARY project

1. Many sanctioned launches occur in isolated areas and cater to the needs of MPR/HPR/EX enthusiasts and are unknown, or are inaccessible, to the community at large. Launches involving model rockets may be performed in local parks, where allowed, and they generate substantial interest and curiosity in the community.

2. To promote local educational launches, GARY announces the Park Launch Initiative (PLI) and asks for the formation of a PLI Research Group to make recommendations on best practices for such a launch. Practices should include safety, park regulations, permits and insurance, educational opportunities, types of rockets and launch equipment, family activities (to encourage non-flyer participation), and outreach opportunities with local schools, youth groups, scouts, and interested businesses.