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AeroTech - ATF Breaking News |
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1998 Archived News by AeroTech
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Saturday, November 14, 1998 |
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To Members of the Hobby Rocketry Community:
The facts surrounding the current regulatory situation many of you are discussing on-line and elsewhere are difficult to explain due to their very complex and interwoven nature. However, what's important to you at this time is news, whether good or bad, which represents the regulations affecting your participation in your hobby now and in the immediate future.
Simply put, the hobby rocket industry had been recently made aware that effective December 22, 1998, new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) regulations would have classed single-use 'G' motors as regulated explosives (i.e., user permits for out-of-state sales and approved "magazines" for storage).
So, here's some good news. On November 4, 1998, AeroTech initiated a dialogue with the ATF and the net result is that this morning, November 13, 1998, the ATF stated to AeroTech that the ATF will ensure that all currently exempted hobby rocket motor products will remain exempt. In other words, single-use 'G' motors will remain exempted from federal explosives regulations, i.e., you can buy, store and fly them in the manner to which you are accustomed.
The ATF stated that AeroTech will soon be receiving a letter from the ATF confirming this decision. The ATF also stated that they will be initiating new rulemaking on a "fast track" to further clarify this position, to be effective on or before December 22, 1998. AeroTech was asked by the ATF to communicate this news to the hobby rocketry community. Those interested parties who desire more information are invited by the ATF to contact Mark Waller, Joe Bradley or Jim Zammillo in Washington, D.C. at (202) 927-8053.
You may be aware that the ATF may propose additional hobby rocket regulations for public comment sometime next year. However, AeroTech continues to be actively engaged in discussions with the ATF to achieve a regulatory environment acceptable to the ATF, AeroTech and the hobby rocketry community.
AeroTech Consumer Aerospace is a manufacturer of single-use and reloadable solid and hybrid propellant rocket motors, rocket kits, parts and ground support equipment for the consumer, educational and motion picture special effects markets. AeroTech is a subsidiary of Industrial Solid Propulsion (ISP), Inc. |
