2000
NAR Model Rocketry Safety Code
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 manufacturer¹s
recommended maximum lift-off weight for the motors
used, or I will use
motors recommended by the manufacturer for my
model rocket.
- Stability. I will check the stability of
my model rocket before
its first flight, except when launching a model
rocket of already proven
stability.
- Payloads. My model rocket will never
carry live animals (except
insects) or a payload that is intended to be
flammable, explosive, or
harmful.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 30 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Installed Total
Impulse (N-sec) |
Equivalent
Motor Type |
Minimum Site
Dimensions (ft.) |
| 0.00--1.25 |
1/4A, 1/2A |
50 |
| 1.26--2.50 |
A |
100 |
| 2.51--5.00 |
B |
200 |
| 5.01--10.00 |
C |
400 |
| 10.01--20.00 |
D |
500 |
| 20.01--40.00 |
E |
1,000 |
| 40.01--80.00 |
F |
1,000 |
| 80.01--160.00 |
G |
1,000 |
| 160.01--320.00 |
Two G's |
1,500 |
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