23-15.1-04. Launch site standards
Sites used as model rocket launch sites must comply with the following:
1. No person other than the user and individuals assisting the user may be permitted
within fifteen feet [4.57 meters] of the launching device when engines of an "A", "B", or
"C" category are used or within thirty feet [9.14 meters] of the launching device when
engines of "D", "E", or "F" category are used.
2. When required by the fire authority, lines or barriers must be provided to restrain
spectators from encroaching upon the clearance requirements of this section.
3. No model rocket user may fire any model rocket engine from any site without first
securing authorization, either verbal or written, to conduct this activity from the fire
official having the responsibility of the prevention and suppression of fire in the areas
where the model rocket is to be used nor without securing authorization, either written
or verbal, of the owner of the land intended to be used for the launch of the model
rocket.
4. The launch site should consist of a firing area and a recovery area. The firing area
should be considered that area surrounding the launching devices contained within a
radius of ten feet [3.05 meters] outward from the location of the launching devices. The
recovery area should include the firing area and must be determined to be the
minimum area necessary to retrieve the launched rocket based on the estimated
height achieved by the model rocket having a total weight fired with a specific type of
engine. The following table may be used to determine the size of the recovery area
necessary:
MODEL ROCKET LAUNCH SITE STANDARDS
Maximum total
weight in ounces Longest time delay
Engine types Minimum of rocket with in seconds permitted
all time dimension engine and any for maximum total
delays in feet payload weight
1/4A-1/2A 50 3 2
A 100 4 3
B 200 6 2
C 400 6 3
D 500 13 3
E 1,000 17.66 4
F 1,000 17.66 4
If the recovery area is circular, the minimum dimension in feet referred to in the table
relates to diameter of the area. If the recovery area is rectangular or square, the
minimum dimension in feet referred to in the table refers to the length of the shortest
side.
5. The launching site and recovery area should be located in areas that are not
susceptible to fire, such as grain fields, forest lands, heavy brush, or other areas
deemed dangerous by the fire authority. The site should be located at least two
hundred feet [60.96 meters] from any buildings or structures unless approved by the
property owner. The site may not contain any high voltage lines or be within five
hundred feet [152.4 meters] of the nearest road or highway.
6. The launch rod may not be tilted more than thirty degrees from a vertical angle.
7. No launching site or recovery area may be located within five miles [8.05 kilometers] of
any airport, unless written permission is first obtained from the appropriate airport
authority or other agency responsible for operation of the airport.
