Aircraft Hazard Area (AHA)

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.