FAA Rules

Overview

The FAA accommodates rocketry within carefully defined conditions. The body of regulations, 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:

1. ) Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
2. ) Uses a slow-burning propellant;
3. ) Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
4. ) Contains no substantial metal parts; and
5. ) Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant.

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.

1. ) You must operate an amateur rocket in such a manner that it:
1. ) Is launched on a suborbital trajectory;
2. ) 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;
3. ) Is unmanned; and
4. ) Does not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft.
2. ) The FAA may specify additional operating limitations necessary to ensure that air traffic is not adversely affected, and public safety is not jeopardized.

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:

1. ) At any altitude where clouds or obscuring phenomena of more than five tenths coverage prevails;
2. ) At any altitude where the horizontal visibility is less than five miles;
3. ) Into any cloud;
4. ) Between sunset and sunrise without prior authorization from the FAA;
5. ) Within 9.26 kilometers (5 nautical miles) of any airport boundary without prior authorization from the FAA;
6. ) In controlled airspace without prior authorization from the FAA;
7. ) Unless you observe the greater of the following separation distances from any person or property that is not associated with the operations applies:
1. ) Not less than one quarter the maximum expected altitude;
2. ) 457 meters (1,500 ft.);
8. ) 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
9. ) Unless reasonable precautions are provided to report and control a fire caused by rocket activities.

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)

2. ) 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:
1. ) The information requirements of paragraph (a) of this section,
2. ) Maximum possible range,
3. ) The dynamic stability characteristics for the entire flight profile,
4. ) A description of all major rocket systems, including structural, pneumatic, propellant, propulsion, ignition, electrical, avionics, recovery, wind-weighting, flight control, and tracking,
5. ) A description of other support equipment necessary for a safe operation,
6. ) The planned flight profile and sequence of events,
7. ) All nominal impact areas, including those for any spent motors and other discarded hardware, within three standard deviations of the mean impact point,
8. ) Launch commit criteria,
9. ) Countdown procedures, and
10. ) Mishap procedures.

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.