• What can I fly at NIRA launches?
• Do I have to be an NAR or Tripoli member to participate in NIRA events?
• What kind of insurance do I need for flying rockets?
• Can I fly my rockets at times or places other than organized NIRA launches?
• What, exactly, is a "model rocket" versus a "high power" rocket?
• What is the current legal status of model and high power rocketry in the U.S.?
• What is the current legal status of rocketry in the the Chicago area?

What can I fly at NIRA launches?

In short, it depends. Our regular club launch facility is East Branch Forest Preserve, which isn't terribly big. Typically, you can fly most rockets that use 1/2A through D motors without any problems. E, F, and G flights are possible as weather permits. (The RSO may exercise discretion in restricting larger engines and/or rockets.) Keep in mind that larger motors, particularly composites, make a lot of noise and sometimes attract unwanted attention.

Everything from a Mosquito on a 1/4A to a Phantom 4000 on an G80 has been flown at East Branch. There will be times when the RSO will not allow certain models/motors to be used depending on the conditions. A good example would be Aerotech BlackJack propellent motors; on windy days we ban their use because they are slow to build up thrust. There is also a 3000 foot ceiling that ALL rockets must stay under, regardless of weight. Most rockets using A-E power will stay below this limit.

However, if you want to get your rocket back, you'll want to watch what type of motor you use. On a calm day a Wizard on a C will land back in the field; on a windy day it will be lost. The same goes for an Aerotech Mustang on an F. You could try it, but it wouldn't be recommended. Streamers are the recovery system of choice on the windier days. When in doubt, ask the RSO for help in selecting an engine.

At our High Power Launches the ceiling is higher, and a waiver table will be available at the launch for you to check your models compliance. Typically you can fly anything at a High Power launch up to the altitude and/or weight limit of the FAA waiver in effect.

Do I have to be a National Association of Rocketry (NAR) or Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) member to participate in NIRA events?

No. Anyone can fly at NIRA events. Membership is open to any persons interested in sport rocketry. We do, however, encourage you join NAR as a good investment for the serious sport rocket flyer. NIRA is local chapter #117 of the NAR.

If you wish to be certified to fly high power motors you must be a member of either NAR or TRA. A membership form for the NAR can be found here, on the NAR web site. A membership form for TRA can be found here, on the Tripoli web site.

What kind of insurance do I need for flying rockets?

Technically none. You may be covered by your homeowners insurance, but you would be wise to check with your agent. Insurance is provided through the NAR for individual members, and the club is covered at all launches run by the club. In this day and age, you'd probably be wise to have some insurance.

Can I fly my rockets at times or places other than organized NIRA launches?

Of course! But, there are some places that we know about where you can't fly rockets anytime. Cook County Forest Preserves are off limits (you could be arrested, or at a minimum ticketed), and the cities of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn prohibit rockets in all their parks. Check with local officials to find out the restrictions on model rockets before you go launching. And be sure not to inconvenience any ball games; people in DuPage County take their recreation, particularly youth programs, seriously and won't be happy with them interrupted by something as trivial as rocket flying.

What, exactly, is a "model rocket" versus a "high power" rocket?

Model, High Power, and Amateur are all terms which have many definitions, depending on to whom you are speaking. In the Usenet newsgroup rec.models.rockets and in the FAQ documents the definitions (if any) accepted by the NFPA, National Association of Rocketry, and Tripoli High Power Rocketry Association are used. If these definitions conflict the NAR definition is used.

Model Rockets are rockets that conform to the guidelines and restrictions defined in the NFPA 1122 document. These rockets weigh less than 1500 grams, contain less than 125 grams of total fuel, have no motor with more than 62.5 grams of fuel or more than 160 NS of total impulse, use only pre-manufactured, solid propellant motors, and do not use metal body tubes, nose cones or fins.

Large Model Rockets is a term used in the FAA FAR 101 regulations. It refers to NAR/NFPA model rockets that are between 454 and 1500 grams (1 to 3.3 pounds) total liftoff weight or contain more than 113 grams but less than 125 grams of total fuel.

High Power Rockets are rockets that exceed the total weight, total propellant or single motor total impulse restrictions of model rockets, but otherwise conform to the same guidelines for construction materials and pre-manufactured, solid propellant motors. High power rockets have no total weight limits, but do have a single motor limit of no more than O power (40,960NS maximum total impulse) and have a total power limitation of 81,920NS total impulse. There is a draft NFPA document (NFPA 1127) under review which would formalize this definition. The TRA 1987 member's handbook defines any rocket with greater than 40NS total impulse as "high power," but Tripoli is now moving towards the NFPA/NAR definition of rockets exceeding the limits of an NFPA 1122 model rocket. Metal bodied rockets are explicitly excluded from "high power."

A phrase that has no formal definition but is catching on in the literature is hobby rocketry. This term includes both model and high power rockets, but excludes amateur rocket. The term consumer rocketry has also been used, and means the same thing.

The term non-professional rocketry encompasses all forms of model, high power and amateur rocketry.

What is the current legal status of model and high power rocketry in the US?

This section courtesy of Bob Kaplow

Rockets containing less than 113 grams of total fuel and weigh less and one (1) pound do not require any type of FAA notification and are not restricted by the FAA except where they pose a threat to aircraft.

FAA Large Model Rockets (see the definition in #1, above) require that the nearest Air Traffic Control center (ATC) be notified of the launch between 24 and 48 hours prior to the launch. This is notification and not permission.

FAA High Power Rockets (weighing more than 3.3 pounds, containing HPR motors, or containing a total of more than 125 grams of fuel) require a formal waiver be approved by the FAA and activated prior to the launch.

Remember that HPR waivers, ATC notification and high power certification are all separate issues and must all be properly followed.

G class model rocket motors (80.01-160.00NS total impulse) have been classified as high power by the CPSC. They are considered model rocket motors by the NFPA. These motors are now restricted for sale to buyers 18 years of age or older. This includes the sale of G reloadable motors.

You must have a federal Low Explosives Users Permit (LEUP) to legally purchase Class B rocket motors and reloads.

You must be high power certified to fly high power rockets. The NAR and Tripoli both have programs for obtaining high power certification. You need to join one or both of these organizations if you want to fly high power rockets. NIRA has the necessary study materials and exams for Level II certification, or you may request those thru the NAR web site.

You must be at least 18 years of age to become high power certified.

What is the current legal status of rocketry in the the Chicago area?

Before flying on any park district, school or forest preserve property, you should check to see if any local ordinances exist which prohibit rocket flying. NIRA members have experienced confusion among public official mixing model rockets up with fireworks, and virtually all park districts have ordinances banning the latter. Make sure the propery owners understand you're flying model rockets and not fireworks.

The Villages of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn prohibit rockets in all their parks.

Cook County Forest Preserve do indeed have an ordinance specifically banning model rocket flying. If caught by the FPD Police, you will be ticketed and fined. Several NIRA members have had unfortunate experiences of this type, and ended up having to pay the fine. There is no leeway in the process; Estes Industries has made several attempts to get this ordinance changed, but with no luck thus far. We recommend you avoid Cook Country Forest Preserve properties, and seek out other launch sites if you can't wait for our regular monthly club launch.