Arial map of our launch site with measurements.

ATF Regulations that relate to Rocketry.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) 

ATF Regulations CFR 27 Part 555 - Pertaining to Explosives

The Orange Book (ATF P 5400.7 (11/07)) Online

Application for Explosives Permit ATF 5400.13

Employee Possessor Questionnaire ATF 5400.28

FAA Regulations that relate to Rocketry. 

Title 14 Chapter 1 PART 101--MOORED BALLOONS, KITES, UNMANNED ROCKETS AND UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS

1. Materials. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.

    

2. Motors. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.

    

3. Ignition System. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when released.

    

4. Misfires. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the rocket.

    

5. Launch Safety. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance.

    

6. Launcher. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.

    

7. Size. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse. If my model rocket weighs more than one pound (453 grams) at liftoff or has more than four ounces (113 grams) of propellant, I will check and comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations before flying.

    

8. Flight Safety. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.

    

9. Launch Site. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.

    

10. Recovery System. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.

     

11. Recovery Safety. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.

     

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.