Running Launches
Overview
For almost all rocket clubs the first order of business is launching, and the first piece of club equipment will be a launcher. The least complex rocket firing range consists of nothing more than a single launch rod mounted on a sturdy base, a firing battery, some hook-up wire, and firing and safety interlock switches. Equipment of this type is available from the rocket manufacturers or can be home-built by one of the members. Such a firing system is fine for one or two model rocketeers, but an organized club will soon require a more elaborate firing range in order to avoid long delays between launches. At this point a decision must be made. The club members can elect to purchase or construct more individual launch systems and operate a “Misfire Alley” range, or a multiple position “Launch Rack” firing system can be constructed for model rockets. Sections that fly a lot of high power rockets will want a different kind of system, one that controls launching from a number of widely spaced and large pads a considerable distance away. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, so each Section should carefully consider its own needs and available resources before making the decision.
Range Safety and Operations
In all cases, as the launch operations expand and the Section becomes bigger, more rocketeers and spectators will be present on the range during firing operations. At this point, and when any high power rockets are launched, safety considerations dictate that there be a Range Safety Officer (RSO), who has overall responsibility for all activity on the range. The RSO must decide if the conditions are safe for a launching before the countdown can begin. He must be sure that:
- The model on the pad is safe for flight.
- The engine is a NAR Safety Certified type.
- The sky is clear of conflicting aircraft.
- The rocketeers and spectators are at a safe distance (see the safety code).
- The rocketeers and spectators are attentive to the fact that a rocket is about to be launched, before he allows the launch countdown to begin.
- Immediate fire hazards (tall grass, etc.) are cleared from the launch pad areas.
In addition, the RSO should ensure that certain "best practices" are followed when operating the range:
- Ensure that launch rods/rails are angled so that all flight paths (with weathercocking) result in trajectories that do not go over any spectators.
- Have a means of alerting everyone on the range of a dangerous situation (PA system, FM broadcast, air horn, etc.) so they can go "heads up", but do not abuse the use of this for minor rocket malfunctions that do not represent a real danger.
- Know who to call or what to do in case of a personal injury or fire on the range.
- Ensure that immediate-action firefighting equipment is available and in working order in the launch area.
- Take prompt, definitive corrective action when a safety incident or "near miss" occurs; find the problem that caused the incident and correct it before flying continues.
Additional information is provided in the Related Documents below concerning how to conduct safety checkin for rockets and how to run a safe rocket range. Launch Safety is also covered in a whole section of the NAR website; this includes the Model Rocket Safety Code and High Power Rocket Safety Code.
Insurance and Damages
Despite the best efforts of fliers to be safe and make rockets that work, and of RSO's to run a safe range, sometimes accidents happen at rocket launches. These generally fall into two categories:
- a rocket hits something and damages it, generally during the recovery phase as the result of a failed recovery system.
- a rocket's exhaust at launch, or ejection charge on landing after a crash, starts a grass fire.
By setting up the range with the spectator and parking areas crosswind from the launch area, and by angling the launch rods/rails slightly away from the spectator and parking area, the probability of impact damage is greatly reduced. If grass is cleared away from launch pads as required by the NAR Safety Codes, the probability of fire damage is greatly reduced; and with proper firefighting equipment readily at hand a fire can be stopped before it spreads.
If an incident happens that causes significant damage, the Section and the flier of the rocket causing the damage (if they are an NAR member) will both be covered by NAR insurance up to $5 million ($1 million for fire damage to the launch site). NAR insurance has a $5000 deductible (of which the member or Section is responsible for the first $1000), so it should not be used for minor claims for dents from rockets landing on cars under recovery systems. Some Sections make it quite clear to people attending their launches (fliers or spectators) that with respect to such minor damages they are attending at their own risk, and have them sign a "hold harmless" agreement such as the one in the Related Documents section below. The details of Insurance Questions are covered in a set of "frequently asked questions" on the NAR website.
FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization
If you plan to fly high-power rockets at your launch, you will have to get prior approval for each launch event from the Federal Aviation Administration. This approval is granted as a "waiver" to use the nation's airspace, which the FAA controls. The FAA has exempted Class I Rockets (flight-ready rockets weighing 1500 grams or less and containing 125 grams or less of propellant) from requiring such prior approval. For larger rockets, you must apply for an FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (CoA) using the procedures described on the NAR website.
The certificate will describe the Operations Authorized as well as any Special Provisions that you must follow in order to conduct launches. The Operation Authorized will typically be the launch of unmanned Class II Rockets at a defined location to a stated altitude during specified hours. The Special Provisions vary from certificate to certificate and usually contain instructions for the issuance of a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) as well as calls to FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities at specified before, during, and after launch operations.
The certificate provides us with the FAA's approval to use the airspace. However, the airspace is not sanitized for our use nor does it provide us with the exclusive use. Pilots flying in the area should check for NOTAMs within their intended route of flight. The ATC will not vector IFR traffic through the waiver cylinder, and they will provide advisories to VFR traffic requesting flight path suggestions, but there is no expectation by the FAA that VFR pilots will avoid the area.
In general, pilots are governed by FAR 91.13, "Careless or reckless operation - No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another." Buzzing the launch area at low altitude or intentionally colliding with airborne rockets would be considered reckless, but simply flying into an area of unmanned rocket launching, or parachute jumping, or high terrain, is not reckless behavior. Per FAR 101.23 (a)(4) "You must operate an amateur rocket in such a manner that it does not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft."
The bottom line is that the responsibility for avoiding conflicts with manned aircraft rests with the launch officials.
Range Layout
Independent of the type of firing system employed, the basic range layout will remain the same (see figure below). The range itself is a large, open area relatively clear of trees and other obstacles. Its size depends on the power of the models to be flown, and a guide to field size can be found in the launch site dimension table following the NAR Safety Codes. Selection of a field of the recommended size or larger will not guarantee that all rockets with properly functioning recovery systems will land within the range area, but only that a malfunctioning rocket will not likely impact outside the recovery area should a recovery system failure occur.
The exact set-up of the “Firing Area” will depend on the type of launch system chosen. However, the Firing Area is generally located at the center of the range so that it does not have to be moved if the wind shifts during the launch session. On small fields the Firing Area may be located nearer the upwind edge of the range so that models will drift down over the range area. However, the Firing Area should never be located along the edge of the range area, to avoid problems caused by malfunctioning rockets impacting outside the range area. The designated Firing Area should be marked off with rope or flag line barriers at all launches where more than a few rocketeers or spectators will be present, to avoid the hazard of having an inattentive modeler or uninformed spectator wander into the Firing Area during a launching.
Modelers readying their rockets for flight use the “Prep Area”. For large launch sessions or contests the Prep Area may be equipped with folding tables as a convenience for the modelers. Unless the launch is a small one, with few spectators present, the Prep Area should be roped off to keep spectators from disturbing (i.e., stepping on) the models. The Prep Area is generally located downwind from the Firing Area since marginally stable rockets will usually tend to “weathercock” and fly into the wind. Thus the area upwind of the Firing Area is generally more hazardous than the other three sides. At all launches where high power rockets are to be flown, this area should be kept clear of rocketeers and spectators.