Amateur Rocketeers
I hope that there are a few budding Bob Goddards out there who may be able to help me better understand and appreciate not only this valid and educational pursuit… but also the kinds of ***cough*** reasonable governmental regulation pertinent thereto.
Otherwise, spending a few bucks on something like these (and beer) to set up in the backyard and engaging whilst proclaiming: Hey y’all looky here! seems like a pretty neat idea!
My only firsthand experience with rockets was when I was an early adolescent and was given my own toy water rocket. You had to pump this thing like mad to get it to shoot off and spray all over the place to everyone’s delight…
…
… and life hasn’t been the same since.
Dang… what the heck was I just talking about?
B)
I hope that there are a few budding Bob Goddards out there who may be able to help me better understand and appreciate not only this valid and educational pursuit… but also the kinds of ***cough*** reasonable governmental regulation pertinent thereto.
Otherwise, spending a few bucks on something like these (and beer) to set up in the backyard and engaging whilst proclaiming: Hey y’all looky here! seems like a pretty neat idea!
My only firsthand experience with rockets was when I was an early adolescent and was given my own toy water rocket. You had to pump this thing like mad to get it to shoot off and spray all over the place to everyone’s delight…
…
… and life hasn’t been the same since.
Dang… what the heck was I just talking about?
B)
6 Comments On This Entry
Page 1 of 1
http://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2006/08/...by-rockets.html
cobalt-blue, on Nov 17 2010, 11:50 PM, said:
So is skiing; although that’s probably more expensive than the former and less than the latter. ;-)
texas boss, on Nov 18 2010, 04:21 PM, said:
I’ve been doing some of that as well, albeit I took a bit of a sabbatical during the summer as I think of modeling as a mostly indoor activity. Gotta get myself in gear again!
Adam Smithee, on Nov 18 2010, 05:52 PM, said:
http://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2006/08/...by-rockets.html
Thank you, that’s a helpful link. As described, the rule is very specific as to fuel composition and capacity but it doesn’t mention any limit on the number of these motors that one can possess. I smell a loophole!!!
(Also note ATF clarification.)
In the wake of the ATF case, the 62.2gr limit was adopted by the shipping industry as a limit to requiring a HAZMAT fee. If a motor contains more 62.2gr of propellant there's $25 HAZMAT fee whether it's a single motor or a dozen. As a results, a lot of online rocketry suppliers stopped offering mid to high powered motors. If you're going to get into bigger rockets, it's best to seek out a local group to join. They usually have a supplier that sells motors at the launches.
Prior to losing the case, the ATF was requiring the storage of even one of these motors in an approved explosives magazine($300 and up) located under specific conditions and conforming to federal and local standards, as well as federal permits to purchase and possess. By comparison a hunter using a black powder rifle could possess and store up to 50lb of highly explosive black powder with no permits or storage requirements. If, however you have a thimble full of black powder for use as an ejection charges......beware the wrath of the ATF as it is not an approved use of black powder.
During the legal battle...a few companies introduced hybrid motor systems using plastic/rubber/cardboard as fuels and nitrous oxide as an oxidizer. Regardless, it's a great hobby....enjoy!