FAA Regulations

This page describes my attempt to understand the FAA regulations that apply to amateur rocketry.

Rocket Classifications

FAR 101.1.a.3(ii) Model rockets:

Using not more than four ounces of propellant;
Using a slow-burning propellant;
Made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic, containing no substantial metal parts and weighing not more than 16 ounces, including the propellant; and
Operated in a manner that does not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft.

FAR 101.22 Large Model rockets:

Use not more than 125 grams of propellant;
That are made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
That contain no substantial metal parts, and
That weigh not more than 1,500 grams, including the propellant

14 C.F.R. Ch III 401.5.b Amateur Rocket:

Launch from a private site;
Has a motor, or combination of motors, with a total impulse of 200,000 pound-seconds or less;
Has a motor, or combination of motors, with a total burning time or operating time of less than 15 seconds (see exception below); and
Has a ballistic coefficient (i.e., gross weight in pounds divided by the frontal area of the rocket vehicle) less than 12 pounds per square inch.

(AST memo adds) Additionally, if a launch is to take place at a Tripoli Rocket Association-sanctioned event, the 15-second burn time provision does not apply. Such launches may involve rockets that have a motor, or combination of motors, that have a total burning time or operating time of up to 60 seconds.

AST Supplemental Application Guidance for Unguided Suborbital Launch Vehicles:

Launched from a private site;
Unguided;
Suborbital.

14 C.F.R. Ch III Expendable Launch Vehicle:

Launched from a private site;
None of the above.

FAA Requirements

Requirement \ Classification	Model	Large Model	Amateur	USLV
101.1.1.3.ii.d: not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft	X(1)
101.5: not in prohibited or restricted area without permission		X	X	X
101.7: not create hazard to persons or property		X	X	X
101.22.b: not within 5 miles of runway without 24 to 48 hr airport notification		X
101.23.a: not create collision hazard with other aircraft			X*	X*
101.23.b: not in controlled airspace			X*(2)	X*(2)
101.23.c: not within 5 miles of airport boundary			X*	X*
101.23.d: not at any altitude where clouds cover more than 5/10		X*	X	X
101.23.e: not at any altitude where visibility is less than five miles		X*	X*	X*
101.23.f: not into any cloud		X*	X*	X*
101.23.g: not within 1500 feet on not associated person or property			X	X
101.23.h: not between sunset and sunrise			X*	X*
101.25: must provide ATC 24 to 48 hr notification including several data items (also 415.9.c for USLV)		X	X	X
415.3.a & (4).1: must be authorized by an approved launch license				X
415.11: approval of safety review to demonstrate ability to safely conduct the preparation and launch (3)				X
(3).1 Public Expected casualty < 30x10E-6				X
(3).2 Ship Impact <1x10-5				X
(3).3 Aircraft Impact < 1x10E-7				X
(3).4 No public (3^rd party) land or non-launch participant people in impact hazard area				X
(3).5 200 km Collision Avoidance with inhabitable spacecraft				X
(3).6 Wind weighting procedure followed to set launcher azimuth and elevation				X
(3).7 All vehicle components that impact public land must be recovered				X
(3).8 Vehicle stability of at least 2.0 calibers				X
(3).9 84 degree maximum launch angle unless vehicle can not reach populated areas				X
415.9.b and (4).3.8 Launch organization authority, communications, and pre-launch safety plans defined in launch license				X
(4).3.9 Plan for reporting accidents to OCST defined in launch license				X
(4).4 Environmental information may be required for new launch sites or vehicles				X
415.9.a & 440.1-19 Must secure the minimum specified amount of third party liability insurance (5)				X
415.9.d Comply with federal inspection, verification and enforcement requirements				X
415.21 & (4).2: approval of mission review of launch range, launch vehicle, launch trajectory, payload, and hazardous materials				X

* Not required in restricted area but must comply with controlling agency limitations

(1) Part of definition so deviation means it is a large model rocket.

(2) May ask for a waiver to deviate from this or other FAR 101 requirements (101.3, 404.3)

(3) Detailed requirements in the Supplemental Application Guidance for USLV's

(4) Detailed requirements in Information to be Included in the DOT/AST Commercial Launch License Applications (sections 3.1 through 3.7 superceded by (3))

(5) Detailed requirements in Financial Responsibility Requirements for Licensed launch Activities; Final Rule

Last Updated January 7, 1999 by Sherwood Stolt