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Return to contents. LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND CODESRegulation of model rocketry is broken into two classes with different regulations applied to each.
Return to contents. Model Rocketry
There are generally few regulations applied to model
rocketry, with most of those applied at the state and local level.
Forty eight states (all but Rhode Island and California) adhere
to a common code of regulations for model rocketry known as National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 1122. This code defines
the power, weight, and other limits to which a rocket must comply
in order to be classified as a "model rocket."
At the Federal level, according to FAR 101.1 model
rockets are exempt from FAA regulation, provided they are operated
in a manner so as not to pose a hazard to aircraft. The only exception
to this rule is that if a model rocket weighs between 454 and
1,500 grams, you must notify the nearest FAA control tower before
launching them. Model rocket kits and motors do come under the
jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety commission where they
must satisfy the same basic product safety requirements as toys. The State of California treats model rockets as a special class of fireworks and requires:
The City of Livermore requires that you get a permit from the City Fire Marshal and that you have at least a million dollars of liability insurance. There are currently only two permit holders in the city of which LUNAR is one. Return to contents. High-Power Rocketry
The second class of rockets are High-Power Model
rockets. A rocket is considered high-power if it exceeds any of
the following.
High-power model rockets fall under a different code
of regulations from those for model rockets. The high-power regulations
are known as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code
1127. This is a relatively new code (1995) and so most states
have not yet had time to adopt it. You should check your own state's
laws before attempting to launch high power rockets.
In addition, high power rockets and motors are directly
regulated by the federal government including the FAA and the
BATF.
Return to contents. Federal RegulationsThe Federal regulations related to Model Rocketry can be found at the following locations. Return to contents. BATFBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Codes ??? Return to contents. NFTANational Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes 1122 (for model rocket motors) and 1127 (for high-power rocket motors) Internet: http://www.wpi.edu/~fpe/nfpa.html Return to contents. FAAFederal Aviation Regulations Part 101 (Section 307, 72 Statute 749, 49 United States Code 1348, "Airspace Control and Facilities," Federal Aviation Act of 1958) Internet: http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/fars/far-101.txt Return to contents. State of California RegulationsModel Rockets are included in the Health and Safety Codes (HSC), sections 12500 through 13000.
Internet: http://www.jhhw.com/codes/index.html To obtain a copy of the State of California Model Rocketry Regulations, write to:
Return to contents. City of Livermore RegulationsReturn to contents. NAR Model Rocket Safety Code (Revision of ?????)
1. Materials. My model rocket will be made of lightweight
materials such as paper, wood, rubber, and plastic suitable for
the power used and the performance of my model rocket. I will
not use any metal for the nose cone, body, or fins of a model
rocket.
2. Motors. I will use only commercially-made, NAR-certified
model rocket motors in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.
I will not alter the model rocket motor, its parts, or its ingredients
in any way.
3. Recovery. I will always use a recovery system in
my model rocket that will return it safely to the ground so it
may be flown again. I will use only flame-resistant recovery wadding
if wadding is required by the design of my model rocket.
4. Weight and Power Limits. My model rocket will weigh
no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at lift-off and its rocket
motors will produce no more than 320 Newton-seconds (71.9 pound-seconds)
of total impulse. My model rocket will weigh no more than the
motor manufacturer's recommended maximum lift-off weight for the
motors used, or I will use motors recommended by the manufacturer
for my model rocket.
5. Stability. I will check the stability of my model
rocket before its first flight, except when launching a model
rocket of already proven stability.
6. Payloads. My model rocket will never carry live
animals (except insects) or a payload that is intended to be flammable,
explosive, or harmful.
7. Launch Site. I will launch my model rocket outdoors
in a cleared area, free of tall trees, power lines, buildings,
and dry brush and grass. My launch area will be at least as large
as that recommended in the accompanying table.
8. Launcher. I will launch my model rocket from a
stable launch device that provides rigid guidance until the model
rocket has reached a speed adequate to ensure a safe flight path.
To prevent accidental eye injury, I will always place the launcher
so the end of the rod is above eye level or I will cap the end
of the rod when approaching it. I will cap or disassemble my launch
rod when not in use and I will never store it in an upright position.
My launcher will have a jet deflector device to prevent the motor
exhaust from hitting the ground directly. I will always clear
the area around my launch device of brown grass, dry weeds, or
other easy-to-burn materials.
9. Ignition System. The system I use to launch my
model rocket will be remotely controlled and electrically operated.
It will contain a launching switch that will return to "off"
when released. The system will contain a removable safety interlock
in series with the launch switch. All persons will remain at least
15 feet from the model rocket when I am igniting model rocket
motors totalling 30 Newton-seconds or less of total impulse and
at least 20 feet from the model rocket when I am igniting model
rocket motors totalling more than 30 Newton-seconds of total impulse.
I will use only electrical igniters recommended by the motor manufacturer
that will ignite model rocket motors within one second of actuation
of the launching switch.
10. Launch Safety. I will ensure that people in the
launch area are aware of the pending model rocket launch and can
see the model rocket's lift-off before I begin my audible five-second
countdown. I will not launch my model rocket so its flight path
will carry it against a target. If my model rocket suffers a misfire,
I will not allow anyone to approach it or the launcher until I
have made certain that the safety interlock has been removed or
that the battery has been disconnected from the ignition system.
I will wait one minute after a misfire before allowing anyone
to approach the launcher.
11. Flying Conditions. I will launch my model rocket
only when the wind is less than 20 miles per hour. I will not
launch my model rocket so it flies into clouds, near aircraft
in flight, or in a manner that is hazardous to people or property.
12. Pre-Launch Test. When conducting research activities
with unproven model rocket designs or methods I will, when possible,
determine the reliability of my model rocket by pre-launch tests.
I will conduct the launching of an unproven design in complete
isolation from persons not participating in the actual launching.
13. Launch Angle. My launch device will be pointed
within 30 degrees of vertical. I will never use model rocket motors
to propel any device horizontally.
14. Recovery Hazards. If a model rocket becomes entangled
in a power line or other dangerous place, I will not attempt to
retrieve it. LAUNCH SITE DIMENSIONS
Return to contents. NAR High Power Model Rocket Safety Code (Revision of July, 1995)
1. Certification. I will fly high power rockets only
when certified to do so by the National Association of Rocketry.
2. Operating Clearances. I will fly high power rockets
only in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations Part 101
(Section 307, 72 Statute 749, 49 United States Code 1348, "Airspace
Control and Facilities," Federal Aviation Act of 1958) and
all other federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations,
statutes, and ordinances.
3. Materials. My high power rocket will be made of
lightweight materials such as paper, wood, rubber, and plastic,
or the minimum amount of ductile metal suitable for the power
used and the performance of my rocket.
4. Motors. I will use only commercially-made, NAR-certified
rocket motors in the manner recommended by the manufacturer. I
will not alter the rocket motor, its parts, or its ingredients
in any way.
5. Recovery. I will always use a recovery system in
my high power rocket that will return it safely to the ground
so it may be flown again. I will use only flame-resistant recovery
wadding if wadding is required by the design of my rocket.
6. Weight and Power Limits. My rocket will weigh no
more than the motor manufacturer's recommended maximum liftoff
weight for the motors used, or I will use motors recommended by
the manufacturer of the rocket kit. My high power rocket will
be propelled by rocket motors that produce no more than 40,960
Newton-seconds (9,204 pound-seconds) of total impulse.
7. Stability. I will check the stability of my high
power rocket before its first flight, except when launching a
rocket of already proven stability.
8. Payloads. My high power rocket will never carry
live animals (except insects) or a payload that is intended to
be flammable, explosive, or harmful.
9. Launch Site. I will launch my high power rocket
outdoors in a cleared area, free of tall trees, power lines, buildings,
and dry brush and grass. My launcher will be located at least
1,500 feet from any occupied building. My launch site will have
minimum dimensions at least as great as those in the Launch Site
Dimension Table. As an alternative, the site's minimum dimension
will be one-half the maximum altitude of any rocket being flown,
or 1,500 feet, whichever is greater. My launcher will be no closer
to the edge of the launch site than one-half of the minimum required
launch site dimension.
10. Launcher. I will launch my high power rocket from
a stable launch device that provides rigid guidance until the
rocket has reached a speed adequate to ensure a safe flight path.
To prevent accidental eye injury, I will always place the launcher
so the end of the rod is above eye level or I will cap the end
of the rod when approaching it. I will cap or disassemble my launch
rod when not in use and I will never store it in an upright position.
My launcher will have a jet deflector device to prevent the motor
exhaust from hitting the ground directly. I will always clear
the area for a radius of ten feet around my launch device of brown
grass, dry weeds, or other easy-to-burn materials.
11. Ignition System. The system I use to launch my
high power rocket will be remotely controlled and electrically
operated. It will contain a launching switch that will return
to "off" when released. The system will contain a removable
safety interlock in series with the launch switch. All persons
will remain at a distance from the high power rocket and launcher
as determined by the total impulse of the installed rocket motor(s)
according to the accompanying Safe Distance Table.
12. Launch Safety. I will ensure that people in the
launch area are aware of the pending high power rocket launch
and can see the rocket's liftoff before I begin my audible five-second
countdown. I will use only electrical igniters recommended by
the motor manufacturer that will ignite rocket motors within one
second of actuation of the launching switch. If my high power
rocket suffers a misfire, I will not allow anyone to approach
it or the launcher until I have made certain that the safety interlock
has been removed or that the battery has been disconnected from
the ignition system. I will wait one minute after a misfire before
allowing anyone to approach the launcher.
13.Flying Conditions. I will launch my high power
rocket only when the wind is no more than 20 miles per hour and
under conditions where the rocket will not fly into clouds or
when a flight might be hazardous to people, property, or flying
aircraft. Prior to launch, I will verify that no aircraft appear
to have flight paths over the launch site.
14. Pre-Launch Test. When conducting research activities
with unproven designs or methods I will, when possible, determine
the reliability of my high power rocket by pre-launch tests. I
will conduct the launching of an unproven design in complete isolation
from persons not participating in the actual launching.
15. Launch Angle. I will not launch my high power
rocket so its flight path will carry it against a target. My launch
device will be pointed within 20 degrees of vertical. I will never
use rocket motors to propel any device horizontally.
16. Recovery Hazards. If a high power rocket becomes
entangled in a power line or other dangerous place, I will not
attempt to retrieve it. I will not attempt to catch my high-power
rocket as it approaches the ground. LAUNCH SITE DIMENSION TABLE
SAFE DISTANCE TABLE
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