I have a quick question about research. I have looked around, and can't find really any official rules about creating EX/Research/Amateur motors. I know that I can't fly them without an L2 license, and only at Tripoli/Research launches.
My question is, can I make and ground test motors without a permit?
what permit, are you talking about...
your state may have permits that are required, you may need an leup to have some chemicals.(although leup is argued to not be required to make apcp)
Making rocket motors, is like making a jet turbine, pulse jet, anyting that makes fire and noise.
"i dont know, can you?", is what i tell my son when he asks a question like that... he either says yes and goes about his buisness, or we argue till i dont let him.
The government is pretty much the same way... Liberty, is the excersize of rights, not within the law, but within the equal rights of others. =Thomas Jefferson.
and is essentially true, if you are taking the liberty to make and test a rocket motor, and no one else takes issue,, there is no issue...
if someone feels like you could damage themselves or thier property, you may not be able to, and at that point is subjective. If at that point your breaking the law, you will goto jail, get fined or both. I suggest do it within your local laws and within the equal rights of those around you.
That means, where are your storing your stuff, if it chatches fire, does it just burn down a shed, a house, a neighbrohood. Is it properly marked, if you have some metals, you cant use water extinquishers. You need plaquards showing to use class D metals extinquisher, - do you have one of those(the 400.00 extinquisher, and the 30.00 plaque).
what are your contingincies??? you need a list of most that can happen, and how you are going to react to them?
If you are testing motors, how are you ensuring everyones safety...
For age, I am going to say, for the activity there isnt one. for the aquisition of materials, i am sure 18 to 21. For TRA sanctioned launches 18 years old, good standing L2 certification for A - L motors, and L3 certificaion for M, N, to S. Ground tests are treated as flights, so a L2 cant ground test and M motor.
A good reason, you dont see a lot of regulation is that people dont just wake up and go make rocket motors. For my self as a horrible example...I am quite capable of doing rocketry in my garage.(and is exactly what i thought when i started.) But, in doing that I am way less capable than if I joined TRA, Joined a club, and went and actively participated in Research Motors. Its a heck of a lot more fun. You get to see other peoples motors cato, you get senior level advice without the trial and error they went through.
Cost for setting up for making your own research motors, is very HIGH! I can fly hpr and burn a ton of ap for 1,000.00 a year.(in another state.) your looking at atleast 2/3rds that to make your first J motor. The cost is infinately higher if you burn something down, or hurt someone trying.
your first step is to find someone who is willing to show you the insides of how the motors are made Let them mentor you, then just like anything, keep the good throw out the bad and then find someone else to learn from.
