USR Industrial and Educational Rocket Operation Guidelines

1. 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.
   
2. Motors. I will use only commercially-made motors in the
   manner recommended by the manufacturer. I will not alter the rocket
   motor, its parts, or its ingredients in any way, except as expressly
   allowed and described by the manufacturer.
   
3. Recovery. I will always use a recovery system in my
   rocket that will return it safely to the ground so it may be flown
   again, or will assure its landing or impact area is free of people
   and property.
   
4. Stability. I will check the stability of my rocket
   before its first flight, except when launching a rocket of already
   proven stability.
   
5. Launch Site. I will launch my 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 wide and long as 1/4 the
   expected altitude of the rocket. My launch area will be large enough to
   ensure that the distance between my launch pad and the nearest boundary
   of the field is at least 1/8 of the expected altitude of my rocket.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Ignition System. The system I use to launch my
   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 or a removeable plug on the wire to the launch pad. All
   persons will remain at a distance from the rocket and launcher
   as determined by the total impulse of the installed rocket motor(s)
   according to the accompanying Launch Distance Guidelines Table.
   
8. Launch Safety. I will ensure that people in the launch area
   are aware of the pending rocket launch and can see the rocket's liftoff
   before I begin my audible five-second countdown or more. I will use only
   electrical igniters. If my 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 or more after a misfire before
   allowing anyone to approach the launcher.
   
9. Flying Conditions. I will launch my rocket according to range rules,
   or, 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.
   
10. Pre-Launch Test. When conducting research activities with
    unproven designs or methods I will, when possible, determine the
    reliability of my 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.
    
11. Recovery Hazards. If a rocket becomes entangled in
    a power line or other dangerous place, I will not attempt to retrieve
    it. In practice, this is the most critical safety guideline.

LAUNCH DISTANCE GUIDELINES TABLE

Installed total impulse N-s	Equivelent motor type	Minimum Distance to launch pad
0-40	A-E	15
41-320	F-H	30
321-2,560	I-K	50
2.561-20,480	L-N	100
20481-200000	O+	300
201000+	na	1000

 
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