2026–2027 · Division B · Build
Deployment · descent · reliability
Plan for: a coach-approved launch venue
2027 · Know before you build
A practical checklist for students, parents and coaches, written from the 2027 Division B manual. Each note points to its source rule.
Use the same rocket twice or two different rockets.
Rule 5.b
A single plastic carbonated-drink bottle forms each pressure vessel.
Rule 3.a
At least five variables, including the three specified measurements.
Rule 4.a
Arrive ready for the safety inspection.
Rule 1; 5.a
Source: printed pages B37–B38 · PDF pages 42–43 · Checked September 13, 2026 (manual); October 25, 2026 (published corrections)
Bring up to two rockets, two unchanged standard ping-pong balls and two parachutes. Attach each parachute to its ball using tape only. Present the bottle label and bring Category B eyewear.
2027 rule 2.a–b; 3.a; 5.a
For at least 10 flights, record pressure in psi, peak height in feet, time aloft in seconds, and at least two additional design or launch variables. Use the data to justify launch pressure.
2027 rule 4.a–c
You may bring a manual bicycle pump with a gauge if it connects to the supervisor's launcher.
2027 rule 2.c
The supervisor supplies the launcher with Schrader valve, pump, pressure gauge and timers. Pump connection is completed before the team's timer starts.
2027 rule 2.c
The host provides ceiling height in feet in advance. A high indoor ceiling is recommended, but pressure must be based on the actual venue and your data.
2027 rule 2.d; 4.c
Use an intact bottle with an opening about 2.2 cm across and neck height under 1.6 cm from flange to opening. Do not cut, sand, heat, chemically damage or glue the pressure vessel.
2027 rule 3.a–b,d
Keep added fins and components at least 5 cm above the opening level. Make the nose blunt enough that it cannot reach the inner top of the specified bottle-cap gauge (about 3.1 cm diameter × 1.25 cm tall).
2027 rule 3.c,e
Attach parts to the bottle with tape, never glue. No metal anywhere in rocket or payload; no Mylar or ultrafilm. Air pressure alone supplies flight energy: no water, other gases, electronics, elastic assists, tethers or chemical propulsion.
2027 rule 3.d,f–g
Put the rocket on the launcher, then load the payload while unpressurized. Do not rearrange the payload after loading. Select pressure from your log and have it checked by the supervisor.
2027 rule 5.c
An ascending collision with the ceiling or its fixtures ends timing immediately. The payload should separate and descend on its own parachute.
2027 rule 5.e–g
The middle of three recorded times is used. A supplied-launcher failure to release can be restarted; preserve equipment and logs for an appeal.
2027 rule 5.h–j
Longer is better; ranking uses the best single launch after applicable multipliers. The other flight breaks a tie.
2027 rule 6.a–b,d–e
A partial log gives a ×0.85 factor; no log gives ×0.70. Either also limits pressure to the supervisor's common safe setting for teams without complete logs.
2027 rule 4.b–c; 6.e.ii–iii
Failure to separate gets ×0.90. An ascending ceiling/fixture strike gets ×0.25. Violating the listed payload-attachment or construction rules prevents that rocket from launching.
2027 rule 5.f–g; 6.c,e
Confirm ceiling height and bottle-to-launcher compatibility before tournament day. There is no single universal pressure value in these rules; bring flight evidence for the venue you will use.
2027 rule 2.c–d; 4.c; 5.c
Use these preparation notes alongside the authoritative manual, its diagrams, current corrections and the host’s instructions. They are not a complete rule replacement or a certification of your device. Both partners should be able to explain their design and operate it independently.
September 22 national corrections resolve the glider flight period to six minutes and correct Water Quality organism spellings (Phaeophyta, Eucidaris, Octocorallia). October 12 Scrambler kit guidance and form are linked below. Recheck national clarifications and tournament instructions before competition.
Public seller pages checked October 25, 2026. This is a dated snapshot, not live stock. Prices are advertised USD before shipping/tax; confirm the single-kit option and delivery before paying. An add-to-cart button alone does not establish stock. Kits still need student assembly, testing and rules checks.
Catalog listing only — stock unconfirmed
2027 catalog lists device kit 470365-142 and launcher 470365-150 separately. Listing does not confirm either item is available to ship.
Availability / restock: No public restock date found. Ask Ward’s for a written estimate using the item numbers below.
Check seller source (opens in a new tab)Build your own
Original club build suggestions. Pair these steps with the rule checklist above; they are not an official design or a guarantee of competition compliance.
A printed nonmetallic fin or payload fitting may be a candidate if it satisfies the nose, attachment, clearance and material rules; obtain a clarification for an uncertain design. Never print a substitute pressure vessel or pressure fitting as a shortcut. Added print mass hurts descent performance. The verified historical fin-ring download below is an external attachment candidate, not a competition-ready rocket.
There is no blanket approval of all printed parts. The event’s specific material and construction restrictions take priority. Students should retain file source, license, CAD changes, print settings and test results, and build and explain their own device. Ask an official clarification when a design’s legality is uncertain.
The national general FAQ recognizes modeling a 3D-printed component as part of student design and construction. That answer does not waive an event’s material requirements. Read the national FAQ (opens in a new tab).
Official student-building and mentoring policy (opens in a new tab)Model review: October 27, 2026. Separate from the kit-stock review. File access and contents were checked; no physical print, load test or tournament approval is implied.
This is an external fin holder, not a pressure vessel, launcher fitting, canopy or replacement ping-pong ball.
Use the creator’s Files tab or the exact file link below. If a raw STL/STEP opens as text, use Save link as and retain the listed extension. STEP needs CAD export to STL first. For OpenSCAD source, retain included dependencies, render the main part files and export STL. STL has no unit metadata: confirm millimeters in your slicer. Slice the model for your own printer; do not run someone else’s G-code.
Verified file access · adaptation required
By CordovaLabs · STL · 52,884 bytes
Verification: Creator description, Files tab and license inspected. The actual STL was downloaded; its binary structure contains 1,056 triangles and has the expected file length. Download from the model’s Files tab, not an advertisement.
Links were read directly or confirmed on the national event page. Video playback, vendor checkout and downloadable model fabrication have not been tested. Historical resources are labeled; an older video cannot set 2027 dimensions.
Suggested supplies, not a mandatory shopping list. Borrow shared equipment first; confirm every competition item against the rules before purchasing.
Your first practice
Have the coach confirm the launcher interface and safe venue.
Practice canopy packing and gentle deployment checks without pressurizing a device.
During supervised launches, log failed deployments as well as successful flights.
Keep every trial, including failures. Record the conditions, one changed variable, what happened and the next decision.
Original club CSV template. Save it in your team’s approved workspace and share it with your coach. It does not upload or sync to student progress, and it does not replace any required official log.
Own the design decisions. Keep a revision record, learn the relevant rules and be ready to explain how your device works and why you changed it.
Help organize replacement materials and transport. Pressure testing and launches belong in the coach-approved supervised setup.
Approve bottle condition and launcher compatibility, control the launch area and compare deployment reliability across trials.
Official event overview and score-sheet links. Confirm launcher compatibility and current-season documents before constructing the rocket.
Find coaching sessions and recordings. Check each resource’s event, division and season.