Re: deregulation of model rocketry

Alan:

its always good to hear from you. comments inline

Terry Dean
NAR 16158

--
"Old Rocketeer's don't die; they just go OOP"


"Alan Jones" <alanvj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:l46g73pk5d75s3fk7bvmi32avo9h1gdlm2@xxxxxxxxxx
On Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:42:50 -0400, "shockwaveriderz"
<shockwaveriderz@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"back in the day", in the Old Model Rocketry magazine, they used to have a
section titled "Loudly from a Broken Soapbox"; where people were actually
encouraged to express their opinions on the various rocketry topics of the
day.

Every one of those expressed opinions was filtered by an
editor/monitor.

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss why I think model rocketry
needs to be deregulated, as far as the NFPA fire codes go.

Careful, there be dragons there.


what do you think?

I have no objection to NAR members conducting motor making R&D on
their own, outside of the official NAR banner. I just hope they do it
safely, legally, outside of city limits, and certainly not next door
to me.

I also think that such R&R activity might be expanded to include FAI
teams, where such motors may be freely shared or traded between team
members. But any wider distribution or sales of motors should be
required to jump through all of the licensing, permitting, and
certification hoops.

NFPA 1125 allows for individuals to make motors for theor own personal use:
1.1.7 :
This code shall not apply to the fabrication of model rocket motors ..... by individuals for theor own personal use.

Unfortunately NFPA 1122 disallows you to share/give away free or even trade modle rocket motors :

1.2.2 The purpose of this code also shall be to discourage the making and launching of homemade rockets and other rocket-like vehicles

propelled by, or intended to be propelled by, homemade rocket propulsion devices.

1.2.3 The purpose of this code also shall be to discourage experiments with explosive or highly energetic rocket propellants,

construction of homemade rocket-propulsion motors, and attempted launchings or operations of these homemade rocket devices, thereby

minimizing deaths and injuries.

Chapter 5 Prohibited Activities

5.1 Prohibited Activities. The following activities shall be prohibited by this code:

(5) Sale or transfer to the general public, not otherwise exempted in 1.1.4, of any model rocket motor, motor reloading kit, or

component that has not been certified in accordance with NFPA 1125, Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket

Motors

(6) Making, operating, launching, flying, testing, activating, discharging, or other experimentation with model rocket motors,
motor reloading kits, or motor components that have not been certified in accordance with NFPA 1125, Code for the Manufacture of

Model Rocket and High Power Rocket Motors

Alan I agree that FAI teams should be allowed a wider selection of motors; Unfortunately, while NFPA 1125 allows you to make model rocket motors for yourr own personal use, NFPA 1122 seems to take that right back away.

This is why I suggest either a Full NAR research Program akin to the TRA's, or just have the NAR "designate" FAI model rocketry as an officially recognized /sanctioned NAR research program, thus allowing home made motors.

Unfortunately, again, as written, NFPA 1122 seems to preclude even the use of amateur made motors , unless they are "certfied"... and heres wher it gets ugly: NFPA 1122/25 both define what a "certfied" motor is: and homemade amateur motors are not included in the definition.

And none of the above answers the BATFE requirements. Seems that even if I make SINGLE BP model rocket motor and sell it or barter it away as in a trade, results in "commerce" therefore I would require a LEMP to legally manufacture that single BP motor.




What I am suggesting is perhaps the NAR needs to look into allowing its
membership the privilege of making such small BP motors in some form of NAR
Research type of rocketry.

I mean if the TRA can have its Research Rocketry, why can't the NAR have its
? AND most importantly, within this NAR Research Rocketry, allow the
sales/trade of these motors within the NAR membership only. Sorta/Perhaps
like a NAR Competition research rocketry; competition events with your own
motors used against one another?

Just because TRA does something, does not make it right.
At the first NAR national meet, contestants were allowed to compete
with their self made motors. (pointless fact)
But here's the thing, if you are going to make your own motors, use
them against yourself and not against others. ;)

Alan

Terry Dean
NAR 16158


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