Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Let me share my own thoughts about my questions and your answers.
Even if used exactly according to the instructions on the Jethitch site, do you see any safety issues with the Jethitch product?
Unfortunately, yes. It has been my experience thus far that most instructions are ignored. I do not think the product is dangerous when used as instructed though. The people that may abuse it are what I would consider the danger. Much like guns.
I see safety problems even if the product is used exactly as instructed. At least from my understanding of the instructions that I saw on the JetHitch site that has now been taken down, the ignition system is not a "launch controller" of any kind. There are no safety interlocks. Once you plug it in, off it goes. Someone is going to forget about unplugging it, and as soon as they hook up those leads, they are going to burn their face off. That's an issue you could solve with a better controller.
I also don't think the clearance distances are adequate in your instructions. And that might be something you could solve with better instructions.
So you might be able to clear up a few safety issues for people who want to use the product responsibly. But I absolutely agree that people who might abuse the product are the most likely danger, and that you can't control. I agree it is much like guns. The difference between your industry and the gun industry is that the gun industry has constitutional protection and a powerful political organization looking out for its business interests and defending it against government regulation. You don't have that. You are not going to be able to put a product on the market with a huge potential for dangerous misuse and then say, "It's the responsibility of the user to use it responsibly" the way the gun industry can.
Do you feel like the typical 18-year-old who might be attracted to mounting rocket motors to the bumper of their vehicle is likely to be responsible enough or experienced enough to take proper safety precautions with such a product?
The age limit is a variable out of our control. These are not for use on streets since they are obviously not street legal. This decision ultimately lies with the individual. Besides, I have seen individuals much older than 18 do completely idiotic things with rocket motors. I believe a solution to lie somewhere in your next point:
I guess my point was more that the age limit is the ONLY limit you are putting on the purchase of the motors. I'm not advocating for a higher age limit. I think there should be some other kind of restriction beyond age that would require demonstration of understanding of the safety issues before a person could purchase the motors.
You are sending a mixed message if you are saying that these JetHitch motors are intended for exhibitions similar to monster truck shows, but you are going to sell them to anyone over 18 who wants one. I see your primary market NOT being monster truck enthusiasts who are probably reasonably smart and are running an entertainment business and have an interest in not blowing up their cars, themselves, or their paying audience. You are more likely to end up selling them to young men interested in impressing each other at "sideshow" events and illegal drag races, burning up neighborhoods and spectators. That's how I see it working out.
If you want to sell them for use in shows like monster truck demonstrations, why not sell them through whatever channels have already been set up for supplying that industry with pyrotechnic material? I don't know what that would be, but surely when a monster truck show currently uses pyrotechnics, they have a licensed pyrotechnician handle it. I don't see any issue with you selling your current L2 rocket motors to licensed pryos who have L2 certs for use as allowed by law, and if that means it is safe and legal for them to mount them on trucks for shows, then fine. You don't need a special product line to market your motors for that use. It seems like the purpose of the special product line is to be able to market the motors to people who do not have those licenses and certifications.
What about the current HPR certification process for model rocketry?
I like it the way it is, I have no issue with it. How it affects our business is not something I have worried about too much because, again, it is a variable that we cannot control. The reasons these do not require certification is because they are not designed for flight.
I think the current HPR certification process and the policy of not selling motors to people who do not have adequate certification actually HELPS your business. It helps to limit the likelihood that unqualified people will use your products and cause high-profile accidents and call unwanted attention and regulation to your business. Responsible use helps your business.
Do you think that rocketeers who have been unable or unwilling to go through the Level 2 HPR certification process might use Jethitch as a way to obtain Level 2 class rocket motors that they otherwise could not obtain through rocketry vendors?
Maybe a few but the JetHitch is designed to be distinguishable. As long as the RCO checks the aft of the rocket to check if it is black epoxy or maroon. I have faith in my fellow honest, law-abiding rocketeers.
I'm thinking in terms of people who do NOT attend club launches and do NOT submit their rocket to an RSO. I think club flyers are the ones likely to be following the rules. There are people who do not like clubs or rules, and those are the people I'm thinking might want to make a rocket with a J or K Jethitch motor and launch it in an unsafe way. I'm not worried about someone trying to sneak one past an RSO at a launch. I'm worried about someone lighting one off at the cabin after a few beers.
Could that have any impacts on the hobby or your business?
I suppose it could but I feel that the rocketry community does a good job of policing our own (see:JetHitch)
The issue I see is that you are making it harder to be self-policing. The sale of these JetHitch motors to anyone over 18 circumvents the self-policing mechanisms and makes it easer for someone to pursue high-power rocketry outside of the self-policing rocketry community.
Good questions, I hope this satisfies them.
It's a step in the right direction. Thanks!