the Hatch-Kohl bait and switch


consider this analysis of the propellant exemptions in the Hatch-Kohl substitute bill


the propellant exemptions:

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"... or model rocket motors containing no more than .9 pounds of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant ..."


"... for purposes of powering recreational model rockets may possess and store quantities not to exceed 25 pounds of such propellants."
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the definitions in NFPA 1122, 2002 Ed. (excerpted for editorial review):

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3.3.6* Model Rocket. A rocket that (1) weighs no more than 1500 g (53 oz)with motors installed; and (2) is propelled by one or more model rocket motors having an installed total impulse of no more than 320 N-sec (71.9 lb-sec); and (3) contains no more than a total of 125 g (4.4 oz) of propellant weight.

3.3.8* Model Rocket Motor. A rocket motor that has a total impulse of no greater than 160 N-sec (36 lb-sec), an average thrust of no greater than 80 N (18 lbf), and a propellant weight of no greater than 62.5 g (2.2 oz), and that otherwise meets the other requirements set forth in NFPA 1125, Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket Motors.

A.3.3.6 Model Rocket. A model rocket has structural parts made of paper, wood, and breakable plastic; it has a means for its return to the ground so it can be flown again; and its primary use is for purposes of education, recreation, and sporting competition.

A.3.3.8 Model Rocket Motor. Where the term model rocket motor is used in this code, it includes both assembled, reloadable model rocket motors and manufactured, expendable model rocket motors.
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and the end result:

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"... or model rocket motors [assembled, reloadable model rocket motors and manufactured, expendable model rocket motors that have a total impulse of no greater than 160 N-sec (36 lb-sec), an average thrust of no greater than 80 N (18 lbf), and a propellant weight of no greater than 62.5 g (2.2 oz)] containing no more than .9 pounds of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant ..."

"... for purposes of powering recreational model rockets [a rocket which has structural parts made of paper, wood, and breakable plastic, that (1) weighs no more than 1500 g (53 oz) with motors installed; and (2) is propelled by one or more model rocket motors having an installed total impulse of no more than 320 N-sec (71.9 lb-sec); and (3) contains no more than a total of 125 g (4.4 oz) of propellant weight] may possess and store quantities not to exceed 25 pounds of such propellants."
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finally, John Wickman's commentary on ARSAnews

from Hatch-Kohl S724 Senate Bill
at http://www.space-rockets.com/hks724.html
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H-K S724 has serious problems and deficiences that make it unacceptable. The first is that the exemption only applies if the APCP is used in model rocket motors. Nowhere are "model rocket motors" defined in the bill. Consequently, the ATFE will define this term.. Will it be defined as "rocket motors made of cardboard tubes and clay nozzles" or "with an impulse not to exceed 160 Newton-seconds" or "single use applications only". We don't know.

Another problem is the term "recreational model rockets". Again, it is not defined in the bill and will be defined by the ATFE. Will that definition be "made of cardboard tubes, wood fins and plastic nosecones" or "not to exceed a lift off weight of 3 lbs" or "not to exceed a diameter of 3 inches and length of 48 inches"? We do not know. However, no one expects the ATFE to write definitions that will be favorable to the future of rocketry.
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- iz