Impulse Launch Systems - User contributions [en]

User:Tokind

2023-01-19T00:09:11Z

Tokind:

<div class="readerly:>tokind is Thomas Kindig – Wizard Pretender – Owner, COO, and Chief Designer of Impulse Launch Systems.</div>

{{:MenuEdits}}

MenuEdits

2023-01-19T00:06:55Z

Tokind: Created page with "<noinclude>Inclusion Page for obscure pages to edit. Include in user page for editors.</noinclude> MediaWiki:Common.css | MenuFloat | MenuFAR | MenuEdits"

<noinclude>Inclusion Page for obscure pages to edit. Include in user page for editors.</noinclude>
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NFPA

2023-01-18T23:59:14Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
<div class="readerly">
[[File:NFPA-Logo.jpg|thumb|left]] The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the national standards-setting organization for all aspects of fire and life safety. Its hundreds of NFPA technical codes, each developed by a Technical Committee of experts in the respective field, cover firefighting, fire prevention, building safety standards and systems, wildfire management, professional pyrotechnics, and rocketry. NFPA codes are used by public safety officials throughout the world as the basis for inspecting and enforcing safety standards. In many jurisdictions in the U.S. they are adopted as state law or local ordinances.

The NFPA Pyrotechnics Committee has jurisdiction over codes pertaining to professional pyrotechnics and hobby rocketry. Its 36 members include a wide range of fire safety officials, government regulators, manufacturers, safety experts, and user organizations. Both the NAR and TRA have seats on this committee, as do Estes, Aerotech, and Cesaroni. NFPA Codes 1122 (Model Rocketry), 1127 (High-Power Rocketry), and 1125 (Hobby Rocket Motor Manufacturing) are the foundational safety documents of our hobby and the basis for the NAR Safety Codes. The public can read these codes online, but getting an actual copy (digital or paper) requires payment; these payments are what funds the operation of NFPA and its standards-setting processes. A link to view NFPA 1122 is [https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mqy5dMZ_AvzhV1AvdrYSA4xfSWe4iDgUyjIv3lQp9ZqLf6MQYMJYPCJB4fqt6UWvhunOudqXjhKNWMUmoEFrtxCRHfjplHf_oj8ChNIKO4PFyw5OuwjRWedfBs7U3AsnqxTw-bzBet0uHMFwfM2PJ5Y0WS-scGpfz70dcGcepmYJkm-2Ueiohfz2gkS81n-H&c=d9NialztUUcgJL0TO7b9RUwqH33le5WsrFINaWzOtaYI7eSHz1bWaQ==&ch=VPIZ7BFZZCj83OlpKBxESeL7jgJIkRtvfktV89yJob23mSUeohbNcw== HERE]; similar paths exist for all the other codes. You have to establish a free NFPA account to view.

NFPA codes are updated periodically (typically every 4-5 years) through a structured process that includes opportunities for public input and review. The review cycle for the rocketry and pyrotechnics codes is in progress now; revised editions will be issued at the end of this, in about two years.

If you have questions or comments about the NFPA Codes or process, contact the NAR's representative to the NFPA Pyrotechnics Committe, Trip Barber, at nfpa@nar.org
</div>

Filing a Request for an FAA Waiver (COA)

2023-01-18T23:58:36Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
<includeonly>
=Filing a Request for an FAA Waiver (COA)=</includeonly>
Part 101 Applications for an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) are handled by the three FAA Service Centers responsible for airspace of <span class="tooltip">ARTCCs<span class="tooltiptext">Air Route Traffic Control Centers</span></span>, and the <span class="tooltip">TRACONs<span class="tooltiptext">Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities</span></span> and Towers specified below. Applications for a waiver are signed, scanned, and emailed to the Service Center assigned to your area. You may also send an email with your basic information, including event locations, for verification that you are submitting to the right regional service center.

;In the Western Service Center (WSC/<span class="tooltip">OSG<span class="tooltiptext">Operations Service Group</span></span>):
: ZLA/'''Los Angeles''', ZOA/'''Oakland''', ZSE/'''Seattle''', ZLC/'''Salt Lake''', ZDV/'''Denver''', and ZAN/'''Anchorage'''.
: '''email''' - [mailto:9-ato-wsa-osg-part101@faa.gov 9-ato-wsa-osg-part101@faa.gov]

;In the Central Service Center (CSC/OSG):
: ZAB/'''Albuquerque''', ZHU/'''Houston''', ZFW/'''Ft. Worth''', ZKC/'''Kansas City''', ZMP/'''Minneapolis''', ZAU/'''Chicago''', ZOB/'''Cleveland''', and ZID/'''Indianapolis'''.
: '''email''' - [mailto:9-AJO-CSA-Part101@faa.gov 9-AJO-CSA-Part101@faa.gov]

;In the Eastern Service Center (ESC/OSG):
: ZMA/'''Miami''', ZJX/'''Jacksonville''', ZTL/'''Atlanta''', ZME/'''Memphis''', ZDC/'''Washington D.C.''', ZNY/'''New York''', and ZBW/'''Boston'''.
: '''email''' - [mailto:9-ATO-ESA-OSG-AirspaceWaiver@faa.gov 9-ATO-ESA-OSG-AirspaceWaiver@faa.gov]

[[File:Air-route-traffic-control-centers.jpeg]]

FAA Rules

2023-01-18T23:57:27Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
=Overview=
The FAA accommodates rocketry within carefully defined conditions. The body of regulations, [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-101#sp14.2.101.c CFR 101], applies to MOORED BALLOONS, KITES, AMATEUR ROCKETS, AND UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS. Under Subpart C (101.21) the FAA classifies Amateur rockets into three categories as described here.

==Class 1 – Model Rockets==
Class 1 rockets include what used to be known as model and large model rockets. They are defined at 14 CFR 101.22 (a) of the regulations and are listed as:

;Class 1 - Model Rocket means: An amateur rocket that:
<ol>
<li>) Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;</li>
<li>) Uses a slow-burning propellant;</li>
<li>) Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;</li>
<li>) Contains no substantial metal parts; and</li>
<li>) Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant.</li>
</ol>

Launching large model rockets used to require providing prior notification to the FAA. Now, no such notification is required. So long as the general operating limitations at 14 CFR 101.23 as listed below are followed.

<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>) You must operate an amateur rocket in such a manner that it:</li>
<ol style="list-style-type: number;">
<li>) Is launched on a suborbital trajectory;
<li>) When launched, must not cross into the territory of a foreign country unless an agreement is in place between the United States and the country of concern;
<li>) Is unmanned; and
<li>) Does not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft.
</ol>
<li>) The FAA may specify additional operating limitations necessary to ensure that air traffic is not adversely affected, and public safety is not jeopardized.
</ol>

==Class 2 – High Power Rockets==
The Class 2 rocket category covers high power rockets and is defined at 14 CFR 101.22 (b) and is listed as:

;Class 2 Rocket means: An amateur rocket other than a model rocket that is propelled by a motor or motors having a combined total impulse of 40,960 Newton-seconds (9,208 pound-seconds) or less.

While the older rules prohibited flying unmanned rockets into controlled airspace, the latest rules do not. The newer rules do however, require prior authorization before launching. This is part of the operating limitations for Class 2 High Power Rockets found at 14 CFR 101.25 and stating:

When operating Class 2-High Power Rockets or Class 3-Advanced High Power Rockets, you must comply with the General Operating Limitations of §101.23. In addition, you must not operate Class 2-High Power Rockets or Class 3-Advanced High Power Rockets:

<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>) At any altitude where clouds or obscuring phenomena of more than five tenths coverage prevails;</li>
<li>) At any altitude where the horizontal visibility is less than five miles;</li>
<li>) Into any cloud;</li>
<li>) Between sunset and sunrise without prior authorization from the FAA;</li>
<li>) Within 9.26 kilometers (5 nautical miles) of any airport boundary without prior authorization from the FAA;</li>
<li>) In controlled airspace without prior authorization from the FAA;</li>
<li>) Unless you observe the greater of the following separation distances from any person or property that is not associated with the operations applies:</li>
<ol style="list-style-type: number;">
<li>) Not less than one quarter the maximum expected altitude;</li>
<li>) 457 meters (1,500 ft.);</li>
</ol>
<li>) Unless a person at least eighteen years old is present, is charged with ensuring the safety of the operation, and has final approval authority for initiating high-power rocket flight; and</li>
<li>) Unless reasonable precautions are provided to report and control a fire caused by rocket activities.</li>
</ol>

Prior authorization from the FAA, as mentioned in 14 CFR 101.25, items (d), (e), and (f), pertain to having an approved Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) issued by the FAA. To get approval to make Class 2 rocket flights at a certain location, you must first apply for the COA using FAA Form 7711-2.

==Class 3 - Advanced High Power Rocket==
;Class 3 - means: an amateur rocket other than a model rocket or high-power rocket.

CFR 101.29 Information requirements (continued)
<ol start="2" style="list-style-type: lower-alpha; li::marker {content: "(" counter(list, lower-alpha) ")\a0";}">
<li>) Class 3 - Advanced High-Power Rockets. When a Class 3 - Advanced High-Power Rocket requires a certificate of waiver or authorization the person planning the operation must provide the information below for each type of rocket to the FAA at least 45 days before the proposed operation. The FAA may request additional information if necessary to ensure the proposed operations can be safely conducted. The information shall include for each type of Class 3 rocket expected to be flown:</li>
<ol style="list-style-type: number;">
<li>) The information requirements of paragraph (a) of this section,</li>
<li>) Maximum possible range,</li>
<li>) The dynamic stability characteristics for the entire flight profile,</li>
<li>) A description of all major rocket systems, including structural, pneumatic, propellant, propulsion, ignition, electrical, avionics, recovery, wind-weighting, flight control, and tracking,</li>
<li>) A description of other support equipment necessary for a safe operation,</li>
<li>) The planned flight profile and sequence of events,</li>
<li>) All nominal impact areas, including those for any spent motors and other discarded hardware, within three standard deviations of the mean impact point,</li>
<li>) Launch commit criteria,</li>
<li>) Countdown procedures, and</li>
<li>) Mishap procedures.</li>
</ol>
</ol>

==Airspace Review For Class 2/3 Rockets==
The FAA is charged with ensuring the safe use of a public resource: the airspace above all our heads. The primary way they do their job is by making sure that airplanes work as they were designed and have adequate operational limits, ensuring that pilots and other airspace professionals (like controllers) have been adequately trained and receive recurrent training, and by separating airspace users in operation by adequate distances. It is the latter which will have the most bearing on your rocketry activities.

Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA)

2023-01-18T23:56:53Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
<includeonly>
=Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA)=
</includeonly>
The '''FAA Office of Commercial Space (AST)''' get involved to write-up an '''aircraft hazard area''' (AHA) when:
* ANY Class (I, II, or III), amateur rocket requests to go to 18,000 feet MSL or higher…..and/or……
* the request is for Class III amateur rockets, regardless of altitude.

That is why you see a few of our COAs approved for a maximum altitude of 17,999 feet MSL (that keeps them BELOW the threshold that necessitates the AST Office getting involved). When the AST Office gets involved, they generally need from 6 to 10 weeks to produce their “AHA”.

So, in summary, the FAA AST Office needs to write an “AHA” if Class III amateur rockets are used at ANY altitude…..and/or…..the maximum requested altitude is 18,000 feet MSL or higher, REGARDLESS of Class of amateur rocket. Add an extra 6 to 10 weeks for a request, if the AST needs to get involved.

Also, a rule of thumb: the further West, and more deserted the airspace, INCREASES the chance of being approved for high altitude requests (18,000 feet or higher). Very few requests in the Eastern Service Center area of responsibility (AOR), are approved for altitudes of 18,000 feet or higher, because of the complexity and congestion of their airspace.

Filing a NOTAM for a Rocket Launch

2023-01-18T23:55:24Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
<noinclude>{{:MenuFAR}}</noinclude>
<includeonly>
=Filing a NOTAM for a rocket launch=</includeonly>
<div class="readerly"> Your COA or waiver will contain specific instructions regarding notifications to your regional ARTCC and possibly other entities (like a military or local airport,) and the requirment to file a <span class="tooltip">NOTAM<span class="tooltiptext">Notice To Air Missions</span></span>.  A NOTAM is a source of timely information regarding conditions or activities which may impact the flight plans of aircraft traveling through your area. This activity requires a phone call to [https://www.1800wxbrief.com/Website/#!/ Leidos Flight Service (LFS)]. Your COA will include instructions to contact Leidos, the contact number, a specific time frame for filing a NOTAM, and specific location and altitude information authorized by your waiver. To the best of my understanding this may only be done with a phone call, and the resulting NOTAM may be [https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/nsapp.html#/ viewed online at FNS NOTAM Search].

[[File:Icao Alphabet.jpg|500px]]

I strongly encourage you to learn the ICAO International Telephony Alphabet. I learned it in the US Army, but I taught it through all of my years of IT and technical support. I insist that it is an essential communications tool and that it makes you sound like a professional. Learning the alphabet is useful in all aspects of communicating with the FAA, military flight operations, and in fact anyone you must communicate with on the phone or radio.

<div class="aside">The NOTAM system software permits the agent to pull up a recent NOTAM and make a copy; editing in thew new times and dates. If you filed a NOTAM last month, the agent would appreciate that NOTAM ID so they can use it as a template for your new NOTAM. Usually they can only pull up NOTAMs that are from the past 30 days. If no recent NOTAM is available for reference you are going to tell the agent that this is for an UNMANNED ROCKET launch.
</div>

Here is sample NOTAM language from my experience.

!ALM 01/009 BWS AIRSPACE UNMANNED ROCKET
WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 1.0NM RADIUS OF
BWS001006(4.6NM NNW ALM) SFC-17000FT YYMMDDHHMM-YYMMDDHHMM

!ALM is the declared airspace (in this case Alamogordo, NM, and 01/009 indicates the 9th NOTAM filed in ALM in January. The term UNMANNED ROCKET is the key identifier or subject of the NOTAM. In this example, BWS is the airspace designated for a nearby airport, and '''BWS001006''' is a location coordinate ''as a radial'' from that airport. This helps a pilot plan a flight through the area with an understanding of your launch location with respect to a standard navigation point (that airport). That radial will be called out in your COA. WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS ''nn''NM (Nautical Mile) RADIUS OF defines the area within which you are expected to land and recover your rockets. This is the area that flight traffic control will protect by directing traffic around your assigned cylinder of airspace.

The remaining information is the authorized altitude <span class="tooltip">SFC<span class="tooltiptext">Surface</span></span>-17000FT, followed by the start and end times for the activity in ''ZULU Time'', which is a Military term for Universal Time Coordinated or '''UTC,''' used primarily in aviation and at sea. This is also expressed in 24 hour time, so that e.g. 1:00 pm is 13:00.

<includeonly>[[Filing a NOTAM for a Rocket Launch|more...]]</includeonly>

<noinclude>
==Scripted Call Example==
The following is a script for how you might address the agent who answers your call to file a NOTAM.

</noinclude>
</div>

Filing a NOTAM for a Rocket Launch

2023-01-18T23:54:51Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
<noinclude>{{:MenuFAR}}</noinclude>
<includeonly>
=Filing a NOTAM for a rocket launch=</includeonly>
<div class="readerly"> Your COA or waiver will contain specific instructions regarding notifications to your regional ARTCC and possibly other entities (like a military or local airport,) and the requirment to file a <span class="tooltip">NOTAM<span class="tooltiptext">Notice To Air Missions</span></span>.  A NOTAM is a source of timely information regarding conditions or activities which may impact the flight plans of aircraft traveling through your area. This activity requires a phone call to [https://www.1800wxbrief.com/Website/#!/ Leidos Flight Service (LFS)]. Your COA will include instructions to contact Leidos, the contact number, a specific time frame for filing a NOTAM, and specific location and altitude information authorized by your waiver. To the best of my understanding this may only be done with a phone call, and the resulting NOTAM may be [https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/nsapp.html#/ viewed online at FNS NOTAM Search].

[[File:Icao Alphabet.jpg|500px]]
I strongly encourage you to learn the ICAO International Telephony Alphabet. I learned it in the US Army, but I taught it through all of my years of IT and technical support. I insist that it is an essential communications tool and that it makes you sound like a professional. Learning the alphabet is useful in all aspects of communicating with the FAA, military flight operations, and in fact anyone you must communicate with on the phone or radio.

<div class="aside">The NOTAM system software permits the agent to pull up a recent NOTAM and make a copy; editing in thew new times and dates. If you filed a NOTAM last month, the agent would appreciate that NOTAM ID so they can use it as a template for your new NOTAM. Usually they can only pull up NOTAMs that are from the past 30 days. If no recent NOTAM is available for reference you are going to tell the agent that this is for an UNMANNED ROCKET launch.
</div>

Here is sample NOTAM language from my experience.

!ALM 01/009 BWS AIRSPACE UNMANNED ROCKET
WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 1.0NM RADIUS OF
BWS001006(4.6NM NNW ALM) SFC-17000FT YYMMDDHHMM-YYMMDDHHMM

!ALM is the declared airspace (in this case Alamogordo, NM, and 01/009 indicates the 9th NOTAM filed in ALM in January. The term UNMANNED ROCKET is the key identifier or subject of the NOTAM. In this example, BWS is the airspace designated for a nearby airport, and '''BWS001006''' is a location coordinate ''as a radial'' from that airport. This helps a pilot plan a flight through the area with an understanding of your launch location with respect to a standard navigation point (that airport). That radial will be called out in your COA. WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS ''nn''NM (Nautical Mile) RADIUS OF defines the area within which you are expected to land and recover your rockets. This is the area that flight traffic control will protect by directing traffic around your assigned cylinder of airspace.

The remaining information is the authorized altitude <span class="tooltip">SFC<span class="tooltiptext">Surface</span></span>-17000FT, followed by the start and end times for the activity in ''ZULU Time'', which is a Military term for Universal Time Coordinated or '''UTC,''' used primarily in aviation and at sea. This is also expressed in 24 hour time, so that e.g. 1:00 pm is 13:00.

<includeonly>[[Filing a NOTAM for a Rocket Launch|more...]]</includeonly>

<noinclude>
==Scripted Call Example==
The following is a script for how you might address the agent who answers your call to file a NOTAM.

</noinclude>
</div>

Launch Site Survey and Planning

2023-01-18T23:47:21Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
<noinclude>{{:MenuFAR}}</noinclude>
<includeonly>
=Launch Site Survey and Planning=</includeonly>
<div class="readerly">Planning a launch should involve specific review of safety requirements. This is not limited to HPR Launches. When you agree to conduct a launch in a school yard or sporting field, you are responsible for conducting the launch according to all applicable rules. A site survey can, for example, determine the maximum motor rating allowed to launch at a given site based on the maximum supported altitude of flight. This is dependent on the dimensions of the area, and on proximity to occupied structures and roadways. <includeonly>[[Launch_Site_Survey_and_Planning|more...]]</includeonly>
<noinclude>
I have had the experience of conducting Class 1 launches in several locations that were risk-averse to the point of involving the fire marshal's office in approval of the event. This is actually not a problem, as it is an opportunity to educate other professionals about rocketry. A good site survey with basic information overlaying a map image of the site will result in a bit of back and forth about the rules, likely recovery area of the rockets, and clearance to occupied structures and roadways. This makes an interesting presentation.

There are several online tools I recommend for the simplicity and fairly high accuracy of mapping. Both Google Maps and Google Earth are free and work in a browser tab. They include areal views suitable for an accurate understanding of the area. They also include measuring tools that are fairly easy to use.

Locate the position that is furthest away from occupied buildings and active roadways as your launch location. Them measure the distance to the nearest building and/or roadway.

==Model Rockets==
For model rickets you need to observe the minimum launch site dimensions as defined in NFPA 1122. This is the probable recovery area under fair wind conditions.

[[File:NAR-Model-Safe-Distances.png|center]]

==HPR Rockets==
When planning an HPR launch location you must be aware of occupied structures and active roadways. In general you must include "disinterested persons" in your thinking. E.g. if there is an RC Aircraft operation nearby, this should be treated as if it were an occupied building or active roadway. The guides are 14 CFR 101.25 (g), NFPA 1127, and the NAR or TRA Safety Codes which are aligned.

You must observe the greater of the following separation distances from any person or property that is not associated with the operations:
* Not less than one quarter the maximum expected altitude;
* 457 meters (1,500 ft.);

For HPR Launches the baseline separation is 1,500 ft. <strong>or more</strong>. Use the map and measuring tools to determine the nearest occupied structure, and person or property not associated with the launch including active roadways. An active roadway is defined as: A public highway on which traffic flow exceeds 10 vehicles per hour, not including traffic related to the launch. These guidelines will help you choose the optimal position for your launch location coordinates for the request.

<div class="aside">
The position you submit in your COA request should be based on the largest rocket motor you anticipate launching. If there is going to be a launch with an M or O motor, that launch position will need to be 1,500 ft from everyone. Lower power launches may be conducted from launch pads located closer to the LCO table. Be sure and ascertain the elevation at your launch location so that you may calculate the altitude in MSL.
</div>

Once you have determined the nearest limitation, multiply that distance by four to establish the maximum altitude Above Ground Level (AGL) you may request. Your actual request may of course be lower than that maximum. Be aware that requests extending above 18,000 ft above Mean Sea Level (MSL) will be referred to the FAA Office of Commercial Space (AST) for an [[FAR_101_Resources#Aircraft_Hazard_Area_(AHA)|Aircraft Hazardous Area review]] adding 6 to 10 weeks to the review process. To avoid tripping this rule, add your site elevation to your requested altitude AGL to determine MSL.

[[File:TRA-SafeDistanceTable.png|frame|center|<center>TRA Safe Distance Table</center>]]

=Tools=
* [https://earth.google.com/web/ Google Earth]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/ Google Maps]
* [https://flightaware.com/live/ FlightAware]

</noinclude>
</div>

FAR 101 Resources

2023-01-18T23:46:32Z

Tokind:

[[Category:FAR 101 Resources]]
{{:MenuFAR}}
__NOTOC__
<div class="readerly">
;Note: These article is written and maintained by Thomas Kindig. Much of this content was originally written by Chuck Neff of the <span class="tooltip">NAR<span class="tooltiptext">National Association of Rocketry</span></span> in an article available at [https://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/filing-for-faa-launch-authorization/ Filing for FAA Launch Authorization] on the NAR Website. This treatment of the subject is intended to be normalized for use by NAR or <span class="tooltip">TRA<span class ="tooltiptext">Tripoli Rocketry Association</span></span> members. You may copy some or all of this text only with attribution. Please [mailto:thomas@implslaunch.com contact me via email] to copy, correct or contribute to this resource.

It is my intention to keep this information up to date as practices and regulations change. As of 01/03/2023 this page is still a work in progress.

{{:FAA Rules}}
{{:Launch Site Survey and Planning}}
{{:Filing a Request for an FAA Waiver (COA)}}
{{:Instructions_for_FAA_7711-2}}
{{:Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA)}}
{{:Filing a NOTAM for a Rocket Launch}}

=References=
'''FAA'''
*[https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/air_traffic_services/artcc Domestic Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC)]
*[https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/air_traffic_services/tracon Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACON)]
*[https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/instructions-drone-operators-completing-faa-form-7711-2 Instructions for the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA)]
*[https://www.faa.gov/forms/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/186161 Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (Form FAA 7711-2)]
*[https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/notam/what_is_a_notam Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs)]
*[https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/pham_html/chap31_section_2.html Amateur Rocket and Commercial Space Operations / Amateur Rockets]
*[https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-101?toc=1 CFR Title 14 – FAA Rules]

'''NFPA'''
* [https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1122 NFPA 1122 – Code for Model Rocketry]
* [https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1127 NFPA 1127 – Code for High Power Rocketry]

'''NAR'''
*[https://www.nar.org/safety-information/high-power-rocket-safety-code/ NAR High Power Rocket Safety Code]

'''TRA'''
*[https://tripoli.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=795696&module_id=520420 Tripoli Rocketry Association Safety Code]

</div>

FARmenu

2023-01-18T23:45:59Z

Tokind: Tokind moved page FARmenu to MenuFAR: Convension

#REDIRECT [[MenuFAR]]

MenuFAR

2023-01-18T23:45:59Z

Tokind: Tokind moved page FARmenu to MenuFAR: Convension

<div id="FARKeys" class="sticky" style="width: 12 em; border: double 4px; padding: 4px;background-color: yellow;">
__TOC__

*[[FAR_101_Resources|FAR 101 Resources Home]]
<strong>Key</strong>
* MSL - Feet above Mean Sea Level
* AGL - Feet above Ground Level
* NM - Nautical Miles
<hr/>
<small>I welcome contributions to this collection of rocketry safety information. [mailto:thomas@implslaunch.com Contact me] if you have any corrections, suggestions or contributions.</small>
</div>

Talk:Main Page

2023-01-18T23:39:04Z

Tokind:

<div class="readerly">2023-01-18 by [[user:Tokind|tokind]]

Why a Wiki? As I live and breath, I adore a Wiki—and ''especially'' a MediaWiki. It is such a powerful tool and offers so much power and flexibilty of presentation. This ability to structure and organize information leads to some extraordinary things – like [https://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. I have been a occasional contributor to Wikipedia for two decades, and I send in money every year to support it and keep it free of advertising.

In 2005 I hired on with a local Credit Union and was tasked with setting up internal systems for tech support and employee policy documentation. I cobbled together that first server with [https://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD] and set up a [https://mediawiki.org MediaWiki] and [https://bugzilla.org Bugzilla]. I customized both and branded them for the credit union. Later I upgraded to a decent server with a new release of FreeBSD. About six years later I replaced that server, and fifteen years in, migrated the assets to virtual servers running Redhat Linux. The two applications hosted millions of records, and contained a high fidelity recording of fifteen years of IT Activities and Tech Support. The value of these assets are something I am very proud of to this day.

Since I retired from working for the man, I have really missed the Wiki. To be completely honest, I cannot cost justify this Wiki. But I care not. Though I got a belated start on this, I will record the history of Impulse Launch Systems and make this a useful and searchable reference for our business, our products, and certain aspects of our hobby.
</div>

Talk:Main Page

2023-01-18T22:09:12Z

Tokind:

<div class="readerly">Why a Wiki? As I live and breath, I adore a Wiki—and ''especially'' a MediaWiki. It is such a powerful tool and offers so much power and flexibilty of presentation. This ability to structure and organize information leads to some extraordinary things – like [https://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. I have been a occasional contributor to Wikipedia for two decades, and I send in money every year to support it and keep it free of advertising.

In 2005 I hired on with a local Credit Union and was tasked with setting up internal systems for tech support and employee policy documentation. I cobbled together that first server with [https://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD] and set up a [https://mediawiki.org MediaWiki] and [https://bugzilla.org Bugzilla]. I customized both and branded them for the credit union. Later I upgraded to a decent server with a new release of FreeBSD. About six years later I replaced that server, and fifteen years in, migrated the assets to virtual servers running Redhat Linux. The two applications hosted millions of records, and contained a high fidelity recording of fifteen years of IT Activities and Tech Support. The value of these assets are something I am very proud of to this day.

Since I retired from working for the man, I have really missed the Wiki. To be completely honest, I cannot cost justify this Wiki. But I care not. Though I got a belated start on this, I will record the history of Impulse Launch Systems and make this a useful and searchable reference for our business, our products, and certain aspects of our hobby.
</div>

Talk:Main Page

2023-01-18T22:07:44Z

Tokind: Created page with "Why a Wiki? As I live and breath, I adore a Wiki—and ''especially'' a MediaWiki. It is such a powerful tool and offers so much power and flexibilty of presentation. This ability to structure and organize information leads to some extraordinary things – like [https://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. I have been a occasional contributor to Wikipedia for two decades, and I send in money every year to support it and keep it free of advertising. In 2005 I hired on wi..."

Why a Wiki? As I live and breath, I adore a Wiki—and ''especially'' a MediaWiki. It is such a powerful tool and offers so much power and flexibilty of presentation. This ability to structure and organize information leads to some extraordinary things – like [https://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. I have been a occasional contributor to Wikipedia for two decades, and I send in money every year to support it and keep it free of advertising.

In 2005 I hired on with a local Credit Union and was tasked with setting up internal systems for tech support and employee policy documentation. I cobbled together that first server with [https://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD] and set up a [https://mediawiki.org MediaWiki] and [https://bugzilla.org Bugzilla]. I customized both and branded them for the credit union. Later I upgraded to a decent server with a new release of FreeBSD. About six years later I replaced that server, and fifteen years in, migrated the assets to virtual servers running Redhat Linux. The two applications hosted millions of records, and contained a high fidelity recording of fifteen years of IT Activities and Tech Support. The value of these assets are something I am very proud of to this day.

Since I retired from working for the man, I have really missed the Wiki. To be completely honest, I cannot cost justify this Wiki. But I care not. Though I got a belated start on this, I will record the history of Impulse Launch Systems and make this a useful and searchable reference for our business, our products, and certain aspects of our hobby.

Main Page

2023-01-18T21:38:43Z

Tokind:

{{:MenuFloat}}
<div class="readerly">
Welcome to the Impulse launch Systems resource pages. Here you will find rocketry related resources and specific information about our company and our products. Everyone loves to talk about the latest rocket kits and many talk about new rocket motors, but no one talks about launch controllers. This makes marketing to rocketeers somewhat difficult. We do buy print advertising in a few publications. Beyond this, it seems to be a matter of showing up at national events, displaying our products and talking to people. Even then, some rocketeers will look me in the eye and say that they don't care at all about launch equipment; the club takes care of that.

[[File:ManuFaq001.jpg|thumb|left|240px|<center>A Sunny Day in the Shop</center>]] Small business is often said to be the backbone of the U.S. economy. When we set about securing licensing and insurance we learned that most online services designed to help are not oriented toward '''manufacturing''' at all. <strong>At all</strong>. I would choose the business class "other" and type in manufacturer and get nothing. Requests for a custom quote resulted in no greater a response than "we are evaluating your request" followed by silence. I solicited our homeowners insurance agent and she apparently tried but came up with nothing. Finally I emailed the insurance agent for the NAR and he got right back to me with short list of business insurance providers here in Las Cruces. It took a few weeks of back and forth and filling out numerous forms to secure basic liability insurance, but we did it and we feel better prepared as a result.

So we manufacture our launch system offerings here at our home in New Mexico. Figuring out how to fabricate <strong>one</strong> of something can be a challenge, but figuring out how to produce <strong>lots of the same thing</strong> is another animal. The spool with a controller built into it is an idea I had been toying with for over a decade. When I started evaluating how we might do this I looked at off-the-shelf extension cord winding spools. Ultimately I had to figure out a way to produce our own spool element in order to fit the electrical components in a manner that would allow access to replace worn out or damaged components. The trail of discarded prototype parts and assemblies caused Gloria more than a little trepidation along the way. Early in the process, my son Arthur, who saw me working in the shop and was keeping an eye on our progress, decided to get us a [https://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Version-Engraver-Engraving-Controller/dp/B08BZH9PHY/ref=sr_1_12?crid=2WJJH4DA38CRN&keywords=shapeoko+cnc+router&qid=1671733319&sprefix=shapeoko+cnc+router%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-12 small CNC machine] for Christmas in 2019. Suddenly my worries about how I could possibly fashion a consistently cut ethernet port mount evaporated. Arthur's insight served us well for the first 18 months of production. That being said, it just about shook itself apart regularly while cutting our polyvinyl chloride stock. Our [https://www.inventables.com/technologies/x-carve-pro X-Carve Pro machine], one of the first delivered by Inventables, is able to produce about 80% of all of the cutting needed to produce our controllers. On the other hand, this machine is pushing the limits of what we can do in [[Our Garage Workshop|our garage workshop]] in terms of noise, power consumption, and chip collection.

[[File:Manufaq003.jpg|right|600px]]

I guess this is a clear case of "be careful what you ask for." If demand for our products were to double we would need to move into a leased building and hire one or more employees. This would change quite a few things; from basic liability insurance, to all of the taxes and record keeping associated with employing people. It introduces [[The Many-Hats-Problem|the many-hats-problem]]. In an ideal world, production demand will remain modest, but sufficient to maintain a modest profit month-to-month. I will get still old enough that I will not want to do all of the fabrication myself. I need to be planning for that day. Meanwhile, we can offer a degree of product customization not readily available from a company that orders product from overseas.

We highly recommend the book <em>[https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Passion+Economy+By+Adam+Davidson The Passion Economy]</em> By Adam Davidson. The subtitle is <em>New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century</em>. We were stunned at how applicable this book is to our business. We are rocketeers and have had many years of experience with cobbled-together launch controllers built in someones garage (including our's). In many cases they were hard to use or not clearly comprehensible in operation. We have watched people trying to troubleshoot a problem that was preventing a launch, with no clear signs of what was wrong. Is it the battery? Bad connection? It was working for the most recent launch! Rocketeers tend to be technically astute. Many are Ham Radio operators and most have some interest in RC aircraft and other "technical" hobbies. Many of us are at and age where we experienced the [https://shop.heathkit.com/shop Heathkit] era, and spent many hours in [https://www.radioshack.com/ Radio Shack]. So if you belong to a rocketry club it is likely that someone in the group is capable of building a launch controller. In many cases they have. It works and it didn't cost a lot, but that was based on free labor and a willingness of that member to take responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the unit forever. Which often does not work out forever.

Since there are very few producers of launch controllers and I have a passion for electronics that is about equal to my passion for organizing and optimizing things: Impulse Launch Systems was born.

</div>

Main Page

2023-01-18T21:36:39Z

Tokind:

{{:MenuFloat}}
<div class="readerly">
Welcome to the Impulse launch Systems resource pages. Here you will find rocketry related resources and specific information about our company and our products. Everyone loves to talk about the latest rocket kits and many talk about new rocket motors, but no one talks about launch controllers. This makes marketing to rocketeers somewhat difficult. We do buy print advertising in a few publications. Beyond this, it seems to be a matter of showing up at national events, displaying our products and talking to people. Even then, some rocketeers will look me in the eye and say that they don't care at all about launch equipment; the club takes care of that.

[[File:ManuFaq001.jpg|thumb|left|240px|<center>A Sunny Day in the Shop</center>]] Small business is often said to be the backbone of the U.S. economy. When we set about securing licensing and insurance we learned that most online services designed to help are not oriented toward '''manufacturing''' at all. <strong>At all</strong>. I would choose the business class "other" and type in manufacturer and get nothing. Requests for a custom quote resulted in no greater a response than "we are evaluating your request" followed by silence. I solicited our homeowners insurance agent and she apparently tried but came up with nothing. Finally I emailed the insurance agent for the NAR and he got right back to me with short list of business insurance providers here in Las Cruces. It took a few weeks of back and forth and filling out numerous forms to secure basic liability insurance, but we did it and we feel better prepared as a result.

So we manufacture our launch system offerings here at our home in New Mexico. Figuring out how to fabricate <strong>one</strong> of something can be a challenge, but figuring out how to produce <strong>lots of the same thing</strong> is another animal. The spool with a controller built into it is an idea I had been toying with for over a decade. When I started evaluating how we might do this I looked at off-the-shelf extension cord winding spools. Ultimately I had to figure out a way to produce our own spool element in order to fit the electrical components in a manner that would allow access to replace worn out or damaged components. The trail of discarded prototype parts and assemblies caused Gloria more than a little trepidation along the way. Early in the process, my son Arthur, who saw me working in the shop and was keeping an eye on our progress, decided to get us a [https://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Version-Engraver-Engraving-Controller/dp/B08BZH9PHY/ref=sr_1_12?crid=2WJJH4DA38CRN&keywords=shapeoko+cnc+router&qid=1671733319&sprefix=shapeoko+cnc+router%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-12 small CNC machine] for Christmas in 2019. Suddenly my worries about how I could possibly fashion a consistently cut ethernet port mount evaporated. Arthur's insight served us well for the first 18 months of production. That being said, it just about shook itself apart regularly while cutting our polyvinyl chloride stock. Our [https://www.inventables.com/technologies/x-carve-pro X-Carve Pro machine], one of the first delivered by Inventables, is able to produce about 80% of all of the cutting needed to produce our controllers. On the other hand, this machine is pushing the limits of what we can do in [[Our Garage Workshop|our garage workshop]] in terms of noise, power consumption, and chip collection.

[[File:Manufaq003.jpg|right|600px]]

I guess this is a clear case of "be careful what you ask for." If demand for our products were to double we would need to move into a leased building and hire one or more employees. This would change quite a few things; from basic liability insurance, to all of the taxes and record keeping associated with employing people. It introduces [[The Many-Hats-Problem|the many-hats-problem]]. In an ideal world, production demand will remain modest, but sufficient to maintain a modest profit month-to-month. I will get still old enough that I will not want to do all of the fabrication myself. I need to be planning for that day. Meanwhile, we can offer a degree of product customization not readily available from a company that orders product from overseas.

We highly recommend the book <em>[The Passion Economy By Adam Davidson The Passion Economy]</em> By Adam Davidson. The subtitle is <em>New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century</em>. We were stunned at how applicable this book is to our business. We are rocketeers and have had many years of experience with cobbled-together launch controllers built in someones garage (including our's). In many cases they were hard to use or not clearly comprehensible in operation. We have watched people trying to troubleshoot a problem that was preventing a launch, with no clear signs of what was wrong. Is it the battery? Bad connection? It was working for the most recent launch! Rocketeers tend to be technically astute. Many are Ham Radio operators and most have some interest in RC aircraft and other "technical" hobbies. Many of us are at and age where we experienced the [https://shop.heathkit.com/shop Heathkit] era, and spent many hours in [https://www.radioshack.com/ Radio Shack]. So if you belong to a rocketry club it is likely that someone in the group is capable of building a launch controller. In many cases they have. It works and it didn't cost a lot, but that was based on free labor and a willingness of that member to take responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the unit forever. Which often does not work out forever.

Since there are very few producers of launch controllers and I have a passion for electronics that is about equal to my passion for organizing and optimizing things: Impulse Launch Systems was born.

</div>

Main Page

2023-01-18T21:30:59Z

Tokind:

{{:MenuFloat}}
<div class="readerly">
Welcome to the Impulse launch Systems resource pages. Here you will find rocketry related resources and specific information about our company and our products. Everyone loves to talk about the latest rocket kits and many talk about new rocket motors, but no one talks about launch controllers. This makes marketing to rocketeers somewhat difficult. We do buy print advertising in a few publications. Beyond this, it seems to be a matter of showing up at national events, displaying our products and talking to people. Even then, some rocketeers will look me in the eye and say that they don't care at all about launch equipment; the club takes care of that.

[[File:ManuFaq001.jpg|thumb|left|240px|<center>A Sunny Day in the Shop</center>]] Small business is often said to be the backbone of the U.S. economy. When we set about securing licensing and insurance we learned that most online services designed to help are not oriented toward '''manufacturing''' at all. <strong>At all</strong>. I would choose the business class "other" and type in manufacturer and get nothing. Requests for a custom quote resulted in no greater a response than "we are evaluating your request" followed by silence. I solicited our homeowners insurance agent and she apparently tried but came up with nothing. Finally I emailed the insurance agent for the NAR and he got right back to me with short list of business insurance providers here in Las Cruces. It took a few weeks of back and forth and filling out numerous forms to secure basic liability insurance, but we did it and we feel better prepared as a result.

So we manufacture our launch system offerings here at our home in New Mexico. Figuring out how to fabricate <strong>one</strong> of something can be a challenge, but figuring out how to produce <strong>lots of the same thing</strong> is another animal. The spool with a controller built into it is an idea I had been toying with for over a decade. When I started evaluating how we might do this I looked at off-the-shelf extension cord winding spools. Ultimately I had to figure out a way to produce our own spool element in order to fit the electrical components in a manner that would allow access to replace worn out or damaged components. The trail of discarded prototype parts and assemblies caused Gloria more than a little trepidation along the way. Early in the process, my son Arthur, who saw me working in the shop and was keeping an eye on our progress, decided to get us a [https://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Version-Engraver-Engraving-Controller/dp/B08BZH9PHY/ref=sr_1_12?crid=2WJJH4DA38CRN&keywords=shapeoko+cnc+router&qid=1671733319&sprefix=shapeoko+cnc+router%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-12 small CNC machine] for Christmas in 2019. Suddenly my worries about how I could possibly fashion a consistently cut ethernet port mount evaporated. Arthur's insight served us well for the first 18 months of production. That being said, it just about shook itself apart regularly while cutting our polyvinyl chloride stock. Our [https://www.inventables.com/technologies/x-carve-pro X-Carve Pro machine], one of the first delivered by Inventables, is able to produce about 80% of all of the cutting needed to produce our controllers. On the other hand, this machine is pushing the limits of what we can do in [[Our Garage Workshop|our garage workshop]] in terms of noise, power consumption, and chip collection.

[[File:Manufaq003.jpg|right|600px]]

I guess this is a clear case of "be careful what you ask for." If demand for our products were to double we would need to move into a leased building and hire one or more employees. This would change quite a few things; from basic liability insurance, to all of the taxes and record keeping associated with employing people. It introduces [[The Many-Hats-Problem|the many-hats-problem]]. In an ideal world, production demand will remain modest, but sufficient to maintain a modest profit month-to-month. I will get still old enough that I will not want to do all of the fabrication myself. I need to be planning for that day. Meanwhile, we can offer a degree of product customization not readily available from a company that orders product from overseas.

We highly recommend the book <em>The Passion Economy</em> By Adam Davidson. The subtitle is <em>New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century</em>. We were stunned at how applicable this book is to our business. We are rocketeers and have had many years of experience with cobbled-together launch controllers built in someones garage (including our's). In many cases they were hard to use or not clearly comprehensible in operation. We have watched people trying to troubleshoot a problem that was preventing a launch, with no clear signs of what was wrong. Is it the battery? Bad connection? It was working for the most recent launch! Rocketeers tend to be technically astute. Many are Ham Radio operators and most have some interest in RC aircraft and other "technical" hobbies. Many of us are at and age where we experienced the [https://shop.heathkit.com/shop Heathkit] era, and spent many hours in [https://www.radioshack.com/ Radio Shack]. So if you belong to a rocketry club it is likely that someone in the group is capable of building a launch controller. In many cases they have. It works and it didn't cost a lot, but that was based on free labor and a willingness of that member to take responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the unit forever. Which often does not work out forever.

Since there are very few producers of launch controllers and I have a passion for electronics that is about equal to my passion for organizing and optimizing things: Impulse Launch Systems was born.

</div>

User:Tokind

2023-01-18T20:03:31Z

Tokind: Created page with "<div class="readerly:>tokind is Thomas Kindig – Wizard Pretender – Owner, COO, and Chief Designer of Impulse Launch Systems.</div>"

<div class="readerly:>tokind is Thomas Kindig – Wizard Pretender – Owner, COO, and Chief Designer of Impulse Launch Systems.</div>