Is it Safe? Model rocketry is one of the safest outdoor activities
in the world. Over 300 million model rockets have been
launched safely since 1957. It is safer than most
sporting activities. Estes has provided 40 years of
safe, innovative and breathtaking fun to people of all
ages. Whether you're into flying rockets for sport or
competition, model rockets offer you a truly rewarding
experience. And remember, it's up to each and everyone
involved to keep model rocketry a safe activity well
into the next millennium. You can do your part by
following the Model Rocketry Safety Code at all
times. Model rocketry is typically recommended for ages 10
years and up. (although kids of all ages seem to like
it) Adult supervision is recommended for those under 12
years of age.
Where can I safely and legally fly my
model rockets? Depending on how high your rocket(s) will get
to - obviously the higher, the larger launch
field you will need. You should launch using a
blast deflector and avoid dry grassy areas,
easy to catch on fire. Knowing where you are
"allowed" to launch can vary.
In Edmonton now there is a bylaw that requires a permit from the city authorities
before allowing anyone to launch model rockets from any
public-owned or controlled land, including a
local park. To read about this Edmonton City Bylaw Click Here. Other municipalities also may not allow rockets to
be launched in parks. It is best to
check with your local authorities on whether
it is legal or not in your area. Launching on
private land is fine as long as you have the
landowner's permission. However, if the rocket has a good chance of landing in public or private property you will want to avoid this. See this Model Rocket
Launch Site Dimensions table:
Installed Total
Impulse
Equivalent Engine Type
Minimum Site Dimension
(Newton-Seconds)
(feet)
(meters)
0.00--
1.25
1/4A
& 1/2A
50
15
1.26--
2.50
A
100
30
2.51--
5.00
B
200
60
5.01--
10.00
C
400
120
10.01--
20.00
D
500
150
20.01--
40.00
E
1000
300
40.01--
80.00
F
1000
300
80.01--
160.00
G
1000
300
This makes it much harder for people to be able to experience model rocketry, especially for younger people. Attending one of the Edmonton Rocketry Club's model launches is one way to enjoy it. We have an agreement with
local landowners to allow everyone to
experience the thrill of rocketry.\. You do not have to be a club member to attend one of our launches.
What is the biggest motor I can
purchase and where? Currently (as of Aug/02) in Canada a person
under 16 years can purchase motors from A thru
F. (anything A thru E is typically made by
Estes and E/F/G are composite motors made by
Aerotech) To purchase a G you must have a
valid drivers license or the motor is
purchased with the supervision of an adult
with a drivers license. These are available at
many hobby stores. Most responsible hobby
stores won't sell the more powerful motors to
people who seem too young or inexperienced. You
have to work your way up to be safe and
understand what to expect when launching.
Beyond G motors you will require Canadian
Association of Rocketry High Power
Certification and can only launch these motors
at approved launches. See C.A.R. website for
more details about high power rocketry.
What is the difference between model
rocketry and high power rocketry?
Model rocketry is a hobby where people build
real flying rockets out of lightweight
materials such as cardboard, plastic, and
balsa wood. They weigh 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds) or
less and they use pre-manufactured solid
propellant rocket motors which use black
powder or composites as propellant. Model
rocketry is a very safe hobby as long as you
fly by the C.A.R. (Canadian Association of
Rocketry) safety code. Model rockets use
motors which generate less than 160 N-s
(Newton seconds) total impulse and no single
motor can exceed 80 Newton of thrust.
High power rocketry is model rocketry on a much
larger scale. High power rockets are made of
stronger materials and they use motors ranging
in power from 160 N-s (H class) to 40 960 N-s (O
class). Also, any rocket that uses a combination
of lower power motors that meets or exceeds 160 N-s is also considered to be a
high power rocket.
What is used for the motor
propellant? Most model rocket motors
use black powder as their propellant.
Propellant is a combination of fuel and
oxidizer. Fuel is the material that burns and
oxidizer is the material that supports the
fuel's combustion. Most motors larger than "D"
use what are called composite propellants.
They are between 2 to 3 times more powerful
than black powder motors with the same size
casing. There are many fuels that are used by
different companies, but most burn these fuels
with Ammonium Perchlorate oxidizer. Aerotech's
White Lightning motors burn powdered aluminum
with Ammonium Perchlorate. Ammonium
Perchlorate is also used in the
Space Shuttle solid rocket boosters. The
SRBs are the largest solid-propellant motors
ever flown and the first designed for reuse.
There are other more specialized propellants
(Hybrids) used in high power rocketry as
well.
What does the term "certify" or
"certification" mean in rocketry? If you wish to fly rockets with motors that
are beyond "G" (meaning total motor impulse
more than 160 Newton Seconds) you will require
Canadian Association of Rocketry High Power
Certification and can only launch these motors
at approved launches. See C.A.R. website for
more details about high power rocketry. There
are 4 levels (H motors=Level 1, I motors =
Level 2, etc.) as well as a Range Safety
Officer certification that you can work
towards. In order to get your Level 1 you must
pass an exam and demonstrate that you can
successfully build, launch and recover a
rocket with an "H" motor in it. It also helps
very much if you "network" with other
experienced people like members of the
Edmonton Rocketry Club in order to gain advice
and information to safely attempt this.
What should I call them rocket engines
or rocket motors? It is understandable
how this confusion would come about, as you will see Estes
often use the term engine. However, an
engine is generally accepted as a machine (I.E.
with moving parts, like turbos, pumps,
piping. Imagine the 3 main engines on
the Shuttle Orbiter) that
converts energy into mechanical force or motion,
whereas, a motor is any device that converts any
form of energy into mechanical energy or motion,
so "motor" is more commonly accepted as
proper.
