If you spend much time around model rocketry, you will hear things like, low power, mid power, and high power rockets. You will hear about class 1 and class 2 rockets. You will also hear about level 1, 2, or 3 certification. These are terms that are used by various regulating and organizational bodies to classify groups of rockets. The thing is that each set of classifications are based on different criteria and therefore the dividing lines overlap. The purpose of this document is to untangle these terms and explain what they mean and how they are important.

Model Rocketry vs. High Power Rocketry

The National Association Of Rocketry (NAR) defines "model rocketry" as involving those rockets that use a G motor or less and "high power rocketry" as describing rockets that use motors that are larger than G. Some people further sub-divide "model rocketry" into two categories: "low power rocketry" and "mid power rocketry". These are generalizations and usually are defined as any rocket using a D or less motor is "low power" and any rocket using more than a D motor but no more than a G motor is "mid power". These are probably the least formal set of classifications and do not directly relate to any regulatory concerns.

FAA Classifications: Class 1, 2, and 3

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a regulating body of the U.S Federal Government that is in charge of many types of things that fly in the air. Things like model rockets are part of their jurisdiction and covered under Part 101 of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 14. The FAA divides what they call unmanned amateur rockets into three classifications.

Class 1 rockets are those that:

• Use no more then 125 grams (4 ounces) of propellant.
• Use a slow-burning propellant.
• Made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic.
• Contain no substantial metal parts
• Weigh no more than 1500 grams (53 ounces), including propellant.

Class 1 rockets are roughly, but not exactly, equivalent to the definitions of low power and mid power rockets described above. From the point of view of the FAA, these rockets can be flown anywhere they they do not create a hazard to persons, property, or other aircraft.

Class 2 rockets are those rockets that have a total impulse of 40,960 newton-seconds or less (This is roughly the total impulse of an N motor). This, more or less, corresponds to what we call high power rockets. There are some additional rules for this class of rocket. These kinds of rockets require a larger recovery area and there are special restrictions, especially if you are flying within 5 miles of an airport. Generally when these kinds of rockets are flown, an FAA waiver is obtained by the club. This notifies the FAA of our activity and gives us permission to fly where there would normally be restrictions in place.

Class 3 rockets are those rockets that have a higher total impulse than the limit of the Class 2 rockets. These types of rockets are basically outside the scope of the National Association of Rocketry and we won't deal with this classification any further in this document.

These regulations are listed in more detail on this document on the NAR web site. Even more information can be found in this document published by the FAA.

NAR High Power Certifications: Level 1, 2, and 3

There is a certain amount of self regulation that is done within the hobby of rocketry. The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) as well as the Tripoli Rocketry Assocation have developed internal regulations for the purchase and use of high power rocket motors (since KOSMO is affiliated with the NAR, this document will focus exclusively on the NAR rules). These rules are not exactly law and are voluntarily held to by manufactures, retailers, and clubs. Some of these rules, however are designed to satisfy portions of the National Fire Protection Association code, and therefore may be required by law depending on your state laws (see below).

In order to fly high power rockets, you must receive certification from the NAR. There are three levels of certification, which correspond to increasingly powerful motors.

Level 1 certification is required to fly rockets with H and I impulse motors. Achieving this certification level is pretty easy. You must build a rocket and then fly it under the supervision of one or two people that are already certified (1 L2 certified person, or 2 L1 certified persons). You must also be a NAR member. If your rocket flies in a stable manor, and is recovered with no major damage, you can then be Level 1 certified.

Level 2 certification is required to use J, K, and L impulse motors. The certification process is similar to Level 1, but you are also required to pass a written test. Your rocket flight must be observed and evaluated by either two L2 certified persons, or one L2 certified person and one L1 certified person.

Level 3 certification is required to use M, N, and O motors. This level of certification is more complex and requires in-process reviews of your work, as well as a written test, and a flight test. More details for this and all of the certification levels can be found on the NAR web site: High Power Rocketry Hobby.

As mentioned above, there is some overlap between the various regulations and certifications. For example, you must have a Level 1 certification in order to fly a rocket with an H motor. According to the NAR, this is a high power rocket. But if you study the FAA regulations you will see that the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 is not based on motor impulse. It is therefore possible to build a rocket and get an H motor that would still be Class 1 from the FAA perspective and would not require an FAA waiver. Likewise, it is possible to build a rocket and use a high end G motor and/or is more then 1500 grams in total weight such that it would be Class 2 from the FAA perspective and therefore require a waiver, but from the NAR perspective would not be considered high power and therefore would not require certification.

National Fire Protection Association Code 1127

Most states in the United States have adopted the NFPA codes or something similar. Code 1127 of the NFPA code specifically addresses High Power Rocketry. The rules contained in that code relate to the manufacture of high power motors as well as the construction of high power rockets and operational considerations associated with flying high power rockets. The NAR works closely with the NFPA and the certifications and safety codes imposed by the NAR are designed to satisfy provisions in this code. You are, however, advised to check your own state's laws to make sure that you are operating within those law.

It is possible to read this code on-line at the NFPA Website. Registraton is required to access the code itself.