Pennsylvania Act 1970-155 — SETTING STANDARDS FOR THE USE OF MODEL ROCKETS

Act text

SETTING STANDARDS FOR THE USE OF MODEL ROCKETS
                  Act of Jul. 8, 1970, P.L. 451, No. 155              Cl. 12
                                  AN ACT

     Establishing certain standards for the operation and use of
        model rockets and providing penalties.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  As used in this act, "model rocket" means an
     aero-model that ascends into the air without use of aerodynamic
     lifting forces against gravity and is propelled by means of a
     model rocket engine, and "model rocket engine" means a device or
     combination of devices which provide the necessary force or
     motive power to cause the model rocket to move through the air.
        Section 2.  Model rockets shall comply with the following
     requirements prior to launch, operation and flight:
        (1)  Gross weight, including the model rocket engine, shall
     not exceed five hundred grams.
        (2)  No more than four ounces of propellant materials shall
     be contained in a model rocket engine at the moment of launch.
        (3)  Model rockets shall be so constructed as to be capable
     of repeated flights and shall contain means for retarding
     descent to the ground so that the structure shall not be
     substantially damaged and no hazard shall be created to persons
     and property on the ground.
        (4)  Construction shall be of wood, plastic, paper, rubber or
     similar materials and without substantial metal parts.
        (5)  Design and construction shall include attached surfaces
     which will provide aerodynamic stabilizing and restoring forces
     necessary to maintain a substantially true and predictable
     flight path.
        (6)  A model rocket shall not contain any type of explosive
     or pyrotechnic warhead.
        Section 3.  Model rocket engines which supply the propulsive
     force for a model rocket shall conform to the following
     standards:
        (1)  A model rocket engine shall be a commercially
     manufactured device or combination of devices wherein all
     chemical ingredients of a combustible nature are pre-mixed and
     ready for use.
        (2)  The force or motive power shall be created by a rearward
     discharge of gas generated by the combustion or other operation
     of materials contained solely within such device or combinations
     of devices.
        (3)  Engines for model rockets must be certified by the
     National Association of Rocketry (NAR) for sales and use
     throughout the Commonwealth.
        (4)  A model rocket engine shall be so designed and
     constructed as to be incapable of spontaneous ignition or
     combustion in air, water, under pneumatic or hydraulic pressure,
     as a result of motion or jarring, when subjected to a
     temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or in glycerine.
        Section 4.  Model rockets may be launched, operated and flown
     only in a location, not otherwise restricted by law, which shall
     comply with the following minimum standards:
        (1)  There shall be a ground area whose shortest dimension is
     no less than one-fourth the anticipated maximum altitude of the
     rocket to be flown.
        (2)  Flight areas shall be located in such places as will not
     create a hazard to persons and property in the vicinity of the
     area.
        (3)  Flight areas shall not contain or be located adjacent to
     high voltage power lines, major highway, multi-story buildings
     or other obstacles.
        Section 5.  Model rockets may be launched upon compliance
     with the following conditions:
        (1)  A device or mechanism shall be used which shall restrict
     the horizontal motion of the model until sufficient flight
     velocity shall have been attained for reasonably safe,
     predictable flight.
        (2)  Launching or ignition shall be conducted by remote
     electrical means fully under the control of the person launching
     the model.
        (3)  A launching angle of more than sixty degrees from the
     horizontal shall be used.
        (4)  At least one adult person shall inspect each model
     rocket before flight and shall supervise the launching of each
     model rocket.
        (5)  All persons in the vicinity of the launching shall be
     advised that a launching is imminent before a model rocket may
     be ignited and launched.
        (6)  Winds shall be less than twenty miles per hour and
     visibility shall be greater than two thousand feet.
        (7)  Model rockets in flight shall not create a hazard to
     aircraft. Rocketeers must comply with the Federal Aviation Act
     of 1958 covering Federal Aviation Regulations Part 101, Subpart
     A pp 101.1 a.  3. ii a through d.
        (8)  A model rocket shall not be used as a weapon against
     ground or air targets.
        Section 6.  Model rocket engines may be tested on the ground
     for the purpose of determining performance or may be used as the
     motive power of an experiment conducted on the ground under the
     following minimum conditions:
        (1)  The model rocket engine shall be affixed to a testing
     device or to an immovable structure in such manner that such
     engine may not become free during the conduct of such test or
     experiment.
        (2)  The model rocket engine shall be ignited only by
     remotely operated electrical means fully under the control of
     the person conducting the test or experiment.
        (3)  When tests or experiments are conducted indoors, the
     exhaust from each model rocket engine so tested shall be
     directed into a nonflammable hood or vent which shall lead
     directly to the outside of the building.
        (4)  Before a model rocket engine may be tested or used
     experimentally on the ground, its exhaust path shall be cleared
     of all inflammable objects prior to the igniting of such engine.
        (5)  Persons who conduct, participate in or observe static or
     ground testing of a model rocket engine shall stand a safe
     distance away from such engine, and particularly its exhaust
     path, at all times during the conduct of the test.
        (6)  At least one adult person shall inspect each model
     rocket engine to be tested and the testing device to be used
     before such test may be conducted.
        (7)  No model rocket engine shall be tested on the ground or
     shall be used as the motive power of an experiment conducted on
     the ground unless the conduct of such test or experiment is
     supervised by at least one adult person.
        Section 7.  The following activities are prohibited:
        (1)  The use of model rocket engines for pyrotechnic purposes
     or for the primary purpose of producing a spectacular display of
     color, sound, light or any combination thereof.
        (2)  Tampering with or making use of a model rocket engine in
     any manner or degree which is contrary to the purpose for which
     such engine is designed and intended to be used, or contrary to
     the provisions of this act.
        (3)  The ignition of any model rocket engine with such
     instantaneous and violent expansion of gas or relinquishment of
     energy as to cause rupture of the casing.
        (4)  The launching, operating, discharging, flying or
     otherwise activating of a model rocket without first having
     fully complied with the foregoing provisions of this act.
        Section 8.  The provisions of this act shall not apply to the
     design, construction, production, maintenance, launch, flight,
     test, operation or use of, or any other activity in connection
     with, a model rocket or model rocket engine, when carried on or
     engaged in by:
        (1)  The United States or this State,
        (2)  A college, university or other institution of higher
     learning, or
        (3)  Any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture,
     corporation or other business entity engaged in research,
     development or production of rockets, rocket engines or
     propellants, or components thereof, as a business.
        Section 9.  Any person who violates any provision of this act
     shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof
     shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or
     imprisoned not more than one year or both.