Model Rocketry | High power model rocket safety codes

Model Rocketry | High Power Rocketry Safety Code

This list of safety and conduct codes is specifically for those flying high power rockets as promoted by The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and Model Rocket Manufacturers. They are intended to make this hobby safe and enjoyable for all participants. All participants in this sport are urged to follow and employ these guidelines for their safety and the safety of others.

Certification: I will fly high power rockets only when certified to do so by the National Association of Rocketry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stability: I will check the stability of my high power rocket before its first flight, except when launching a rocket of already proven stability.

Payloads: My high power rocket will never carry live animals or a payload that is intended to be flammable, explosive, or harmful.

Launch Site: I will launch my high power rocket outdoors in a cleared area that I have permission to use. It will be 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.

LAUNCH SITE DIMENSION TABLE

Total Impulse All Engines (Newton-Seconds) Equivalent Motor Type Minimum Site Dimensions (ft.) Equivalent Dimensions

160.01 -- 320.00 H 1,500

320.01 -- 640.00 I 2,500 Half mile

640.01 -- 1,280.00 J 5,280 One mile

1,280.01 -- 2,560.00 K 5,280 One mile

2,560.01 -- 5,120.00 L 10,560 Two miles

5,120.01 -- 10,240.00 M 15,840 Three miles

10,240.01 -- 20,480.00 N 21,120 Four miles

20,480.01 -- 40,960.00 O 26,400 Five miles

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.

LAUNCH SITE DIMENSION TABLE
Total Impulse All Engines (Newton-Seconds)	Equivalent Motor Type	Minimum Site Dimensions (ft.)	Equivalent Dimensions
160.01 -- 320.00	H	1,500
320.01 -- 640.00	I	2,500	Half mile
640.01 -- 1,280.00	J	5,280	One mile
1,280.01 -- 2,560.00	K	5,280	One mile
2,560.01 -- 5,120.00	L	10,560	Two miles
5,120.01 -- 10,240.00	M	15,840	Three miles
10,240.01 -- 20,480.00	N	21,120	Four miles
20,480.01 -- 40,960.00	O	26,400	Five miles

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.

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.

SAFE DISTANCE TABLE

Total Impulse All Engines (Newton-Seconds) Equivalent Motor Type Minimum Distance From Rocket With Single Motor (ft.) Minimum Distance From Rocket With Multiple Motors (ft.)

160.01 -- 320.00 H 100 200

320.01 -- 640.00 I 100 200

640.01 -- 1,280.00 J 100 200

1,280.01 -- 2,560.00 K 200 300

2,560.01 -- 5,120.00 L 300 500

5,120.01 -- 10,240.00 M 500 1,000

10,240.01 -- 20,480.00 N 1,000 1,500

20,480.01 -- 40,960.00 O 1,500 2,000

SAFE DISTANCE TABLE
Total Impulse All Engines (Newton-Seconds)	Equivalent Motor Type	Minimum Distance From Rocket With Single Motor (ft.)	Minimum Distance From Rocket With Multiple Motors (ft.)
160.01 -- 320.00	H	100	200
320.01 -- 640.00	I	100	200
640.01 -- 1,280.00	J	100	200
1,280.01 -- 2,560.00	K	200	300
2,560.01 -- 5,120.00	L	300	500
5,120.01 -- 10,240.00	M	500	1,000
10,240.01 -- 20,480.00	N	1,000	1,500
20,480.01 -- 40,960.00	O	1,500	2,000

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.

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.

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.

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.