Canadian Association of Rocketry
Model Rocket Safety Code
1) CONSTRUCTION. I will always build my model rocket using only lightweight materials such as paper, wood, plastics or rubber without any metal airframe
components. My model shall include aerodynamic surfaces or a mechanism to
assure a safe, stable flight.
2) MOTORS. I will only use rocket motors and reloads approved by Natural
Resources Canada, Explosives Regulatory Division (NRC/ERD). I will store
these motors in a safe and secure manner as described by the manufacturer and
NRC/ERD. I will never subject these motors to excessive shock or extremes of
temperature. I will not attempt to use, alter, or reload commercial rocket motors,
except as instructed by the manufacturer.
3) RECOVERY. My model rocket will always use a recovery system to return it
safely to the ground so that my model rocket may be reflown. I shall prepare the
recovery system with due care to assure that it will properly deploy.
4) WEIGHT LIMITS. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1500 grams at
lift-off, and the model rocket engine(s) will contain no more than 125 grams of
propellant and produce no more than 160 N-s combined total-impulse.
5) FIRING SYSTEM. I will always use a remote electrical system to ignite the
model rocket engine(s). My firing system will include an ignition switch that
returns to "off" when released, and a safety interlock to prevent accidental ignition.
I will never leave the safety interlock key in my firing system between launches.
Come Fly With Us
The Manitoba Rocketry Group (MRG) is a volunteer,
provincial organization which advocates the safe pursuit
of model and high power rocketry in Manitoba.
The MRG hosts both Model Rocket and High Power
Rocket Launch events during the year.
Our High Power Launch events, “Prairie Thunder’s”,
are scheduled dependent upon on launch site availability
and access. Check out our web site for upcoming High
Power launches.
Our Model Rocket launch events, “Prairie Fire’s”, are
help from late May through September on the 2nd and
4th Saturdays of the month, at LaBarriere Park (south of
Winnipeg). Launch window opens at 9:00 a.m.
6) LAUNCH SYSTEM. My model rocket will always be launched from a stable
platform having a device to initially guide its motion. My launcher will have a jet
deflector to prevent motor exhaust from directly contacting the ground. To protect
myself and other from eye injury, I will position the launch rod or rail so that the
upper end is above eye level, or else I will place a large guard on the upper end
between launches.
7) LAUNCH SITE. I will never launch my model rockets near buildings or power
lines, into clouds, or become a hazard to aviation. The area immediately around the
launch system will be cleared of any flammable materials. I will always obtain the
permission of the launch site owner prior to using the launch site for my model
rocket activities.
8) LAUNCH CONDITIONS. I will never launch model rockets in high winds or
in conditions of low visibility which may impair the observation of my model
rocket in flight, or in a direction below 30 degrees from the vertical.
9) LAUNCH SAFETY. I will remain at least 5 metres away from any model
about to be launched. I will always announce to persons within the launch site that
I am about to launch my model rocket, and I shall give a loud countdown of at
least 5 seconds duration. I shall immediately remove the safety interlock key from
my firing system after the launch of my model rocket.
10) MISFIRES. In the event of an ignition misfire, I shall not immediately approach my model rocket, but remove the safety interlock key and remain back for a
safe period until assured that no ignition will occur.
11) ANIMAL PAYLOADS. I will never endanger live animals by launching them
in my model rocket.
12) TARGETS. I will never launch my rocket so that it will fall on, or strike,
ground or air targets. Nor will I include any explosive or incendiary payload.
13) HAZARDOUS RECOVERY. I will never attempt to recover my model
rocket from a power line, high place, a tree, or other dangerous location.
14) PRE FLIGHT TESTS. Whenever possible, I will always test the stability,
operation and reliability of my model rocket designs prior to flight. I will launch
unproven designs in complete isolation from other persons.
15) PERSONAL CONDUCT. I will always conduct myself in a responsible
manner, conscious that the maintenance of safety for myself and other rests with
my ability to design and construct sound working models, and to enthusiastically
abide by the CAR Model Rocket Safety Code.
Spectators and Visitors are always welcome at all
MRG launches. Drop by a launch site and talk with the
flyers. Rocketeers from all walks of life will be flying
rockets with professionally manufactured, certified and
tested motors. This foremost safety regulation permits
both the Model and High Power Rocketeer to fly safely
while still enjoying the challenge and thrill of building
and flying a rocket.
For further information on the club, the hobby, or any
of our launches, check out our web site at;
www.manitobarocketry.org
Come Fly with Us
For further information visit:
Fly High and Fly Safe
with the Manitoba Rocketry Group!
http://www.manitobarocketry.org
WHAT IS A MODEL ROCKET?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
ROCKETRY AS A HOBBY
A Model Rocket is a flying model.
To fly a Model Rocket you need, of course, a Model
Rocket; but you also need Model Rocket engines and
a launch system to launch the rocket.
Model Rocketry as a hobby goes beyond the launching
and retrieving of simple commercial “3 fins and a
nosecone” rockets.
Model Rocket
Commercial kits fly alongside scratch home-builds,
and designs run the gambit from simple rockets to
finely crafted scale replicas, to “odd-rocs” (where your
imagination is the limit). From models small enough
to sit comfortably in the palm of your hand to those
that stretch meters long. Model Rockets may be single-staged or multi-staged and may streak to the sky
on the thrust of a single engine, or clustered engines
of 2, 3 or more
We think of Model Rockets as resembling in external
appearance real rockets, and often they do. But there
are cones, spaceships, pyramids, flying saucers and
other obscure designs that qualify as Model Rockets.
A Model Rocket is constructed of lightweight materials; typically cardboard, paper, plastic and balsa wood.
They may weigh anywhere from tens of grams to 1 ½
kilograms; although typical model rockets weigh in at
well under 150 grams (5 ¼ oz).
A Model Rocket is launched skyward on the thrust
generated by the burning of a combustible propellant
from a commercially made Model Rocket engine.
Real rockets, real rocket science; done in miniature!
Model Rockets are available at hobby and toy stores
and are usually sold as kits or in a Ready-To-Fly (RTF)
form. The kits are generally classified by a numeric 1
through 4 “Skill Level”. Depending on your proficiency or experience with model building, a skill level
1 kit can be built in as little as ½ hour or as long as a
leisurely evening.
Recommendation: For your first kit or two stick
with Skill Level 1 or 2 rockets. RTF rockets are convenient, but kit building is NOT difficult and there’s
an extra satisfaction of sending skyward a rocket
you’ve built with your own hands.
IS IT SAFE?
Model Rocket Engines
Very! The hobby has enjoyed decades of fun and
launched hundreds of millions of Model Rockets without major incident.
Model Rockets fly on commercially made engines
which burn a combustible propellant, usually black
powder. These are the consumables of the hobby;
once used they are discarded. Most Model Rocket
engines are sold in packs of 3 or 4, and each flight
requires a fresh engine. Model Rocket engines come
in different impulses (think power) and are ranked by
an alphabetic system. Model Rocket engines range in
impulse from A to G. Most common Model Rockets
fly on A, B, C or D engines.
The key to Model Rocketry’s enviable safety record is
due to three primary factors; the materials used in
construction, the safety and reliability of commercially
made engines and igniters, and the consistent implementation of the Model Rocket Safety Code.
If you follow the Model Rocket Safety Code, Model
Rockets are as safe as any toy.
PERMITS, LICENSES, MEMBERSHIPS
You do not require any permits or licenses to fly a
Model Rocket. You do not need to hold a membership or be affiliated with any association or organization to fly a Model Rocket.
There are no age restrictions with respect to flying
Model Rockets. But for younger children, it is often
seen as an activity requiring adult supervision, and you
must be 12 years of age and older to purchase Model
Rocket engines.
Launch System
Rockets may descend under parachute, streamer, glide
like an aircraft or under spinning helicopter rotors.
Contests exist and contestants compete to see which
rocket flies highest, stays up longest, or lands on target. Uncooked eggs are lofted to see if the contestant
can ensure their prized payload returns intact and undamaged.
Miniaturization of electronic components allows rockets to fly onboard altimeters, still and digital video.
The simple Model Rocket has grown up. Engines
greater than impulse class G are available. Bigger engines launch bigger rockets and have spawned a niche
called High Power Rocketry.
While the hobby has retained its basic roots, it has
grown with the times.
To launch your rocket, you need a battery powered,
safety-keyed, electric launch controller to ignite the
engine and a launch pad with a launch rod to direct
the rocket safely during the first few fractions of a
second of the rockets flight.
JOIN A CLUB
Recommendation: While launch controller and
launch pads/rods can be purchased individually; invest in an all-inclusive starter set which usually comes
with a rocket, launch controller and launch pad. Usually these starter packages offer you a 30% to 50%
savings over purchasing all items separately.
Joining a local club, in addition to the camaraderie and
experience of fellow enthusiasts, affords access to
flying fields, club launch equipment and scheduled
launches.
In both Canada and the US, national organizations
(with local affiliates) promote the safe and enjoyable
pursuit of Model and High Power Rocketry.
Thousands, of all ages, pursue rocketry as a hobby.
In the hobby of rocketry, the sky IS the limit!