I'm in the very early stages of designing a rocket for the Tripoli staged J record, and the Loki I405 seems to be the perfect motor for my booster. Unfortunately, I live in California, so I can't have the motor sent to me. Fortunately, it looks like I'll have to fly this thing at Black Rock, so I think that I should be able to have the motors sent to someone else, and pick up the motors at the launch site. My main question is if it would be legal for me to take a reload back to California. It would be nice to not need to coordinate a motor transfer everytime I want to make a record attempt, or decide to go to an out of state launch on a relatively short notice.
If you actually want to follow the applicable California stuff, Loki reloads are not legal for use in California at commercial launches.
Of course, if you don't have CalPyro license you cannot legally purchase, transport, store, or launch ANY high power rocket motor in California. If we are going to kick the California hornet's nest, let's get to it.
These are the applicable excerpts of the CalFire regulations describing a CalPyro, Rockets Class Three, license:
§981.5. License Scope. (b) Pyrotechnic Operator. A Pyrotechnic Operator's License authorizes and places the responsibility for the handling, supervision and discharge of any fireworks item or pyrotechnic device and establishes that the operator is responsible for the training of his or her assistants in the safe handling, supervision, and discharge of these items and devices, in accordance with the following:
(6) Pyrotechnic Operator--Rockets Third Class may purchase, transport, store, and launch high power rockets. Experimental high power rocket motors may only be imported, exported, and wholesaled by individuals or companies holding valid import, export, or wholesale licenses. Pyrotechnic Operators--Third Class may only purchase high powered rocket motors from licensed wholesalers. Operators licensed under subsection (b) are also required to obtain a local permit from the authority having jurisdiction prior to all launches.