Rocketry Planet

Since the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives has not appealed the decision of the Federal District Court of March 16, 2009, which ordered the agency to vacate their classification of APCP as an explosive, and the period for their ability to do so has expired as of May 16, 2009, on advice of counsel, we believe that the judgment is considered final although we have not received confirmation from BATFE.  Accordingly, members may operate under the understanding that APCP rocket motors are no longer regulated as an explosive material by BATFE, and no longer require the permits formerly required by the agency to buy, sell, or possess such motors.

Members possessing a LEUP are advised that they should evaluate their individual situation based upon whether they possess (or plan to possess) and store materials that are still considered regulated by BATFE. While APCP rocket motors are now no longer regulated under the requirements of the "Orange Book" and are not subject to requiring a LEUP, other materials may be subject to these requirements.

Members are also reminded that both TRA and NAR safety codes stipulate what motors they may possess, depending on their level of flyer certification. These rules still apply to our members. We likewise strongly encourage vendors of hobby rocket motors to continue to work cooperatively with the rocketry community to only sell rocket motors to customers who possess flyer certifications commensurate with the motors they wish to purchase. Ensuring we maintain our strong level of self-regulation will be an essential element in our ability to retain this freedom from overregulation by outside agencies.

Members should immediately contact the leadership of TRA or NAR should they encounter situations where any BATFE personnel conduct themselves in a manner inconsistent with the final judgment of the Federal District Court.

Ken Good
TRA President

Trip Barber
NAR President

Reader comments:

#1 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

Thank you to TRA and NAR leadership, past and present!

Bubster on 05-18-2009 08:13 PM

#2 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

I don't plan to store motors... but as a Canadian, I'm keeping my LEUP for the time being. Since BP and E-matches are still regulated items, I figure it's good to have... just in case.

Kudos to all who made this possible...

Len_Lekx on 05-18-2009 08:33 PM

#3 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

Thanks also to all the members and non-members who offered financial or scientific support. Without the work of many, this never would have come to pass.

Steve_Shannon on 05-18-2009 08:36 PM

#4 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

I'll have my crow served up now please.

I would prefer mine done as a nice Crow Piccata with a side of angel hair.

I said I didn't think this strategy would work. I said I was not impressed - I said a lot of things. Most of them private to the leadership (which if you saw what I said publicly you get an idea of how much crow I need to eat).

To the present and past leadership as well as all the contributors (large and small) - it seems I was wrong. Good job guys - I owe all of you a debt of gratitude. If you ever run into me and want to serve up some crow you have earned that right.

UncleVanya on 05-18-2009 08:42 PM

#5 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

This is very good news.

This is great now that this ruling will also have an huge effect on Rocketry manufacturers and vendors who now for years have seen sales lower then before the easy access scare of 2003 that became even lower with the closing of easy access in Oct 2006.

HPR kit sales slumped, as the diehards in HPR tend to scratch build and the dabblers that bought kits no longer could get motors to fly them; so many dabblers left the hobby.

This ruling will enhance NAR memberships, enhance the pool of hobbyists, and in course enhance the sales of manufacturers and dealers; who without we would have very little of a hobby. This enhancement hopefully will also spur on new products, new motors, etc...

Easy access to fly in Model Airplanes sure enhanced the hobby and the huge amount of new R/C products in the past 6 years.

I believe this will be the second renaissance of the HPR hobby just as the ModRoc side of our hobby got a huge renaissance with all the additional ModRoc kit manufacturers that came on board in the last 6 years.

I predict we will see more new folks at launches now that they can get H motors without jumping through all sorts of hoops

Art Upton on 05-18-2009 08:42 PM

#6 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

http://tinyurl.com/p2hfsh

H_rocket on 05-18-2009 08:43 PM

#7 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

Quote:

I'll have my crow served up now please.

I would prefer mine done as a nice Crow Piccata with a side of angel hair.

I said I didn't think this strategy would work. I said I was not impressed - I said a lot of things. Most of them private to the leadership (which if you saw what I said publicly you get an idea of how much crow I need to eat).

To the present and past leadership as well as all the contributors (large and small) - it seems I was wrong. Good job guys - I owe all of you a debt of gratitude. If you ever run into me and want to serve up some crow you have earned that right.

Scoot over, I hope you don't mind company, I'll need a little elbow room.

QuickBurst on 05-18-2009 08:51 PM

#8 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

Quote:

Scoot over, I hope you don't mind company, I'll need a little elbow room.

If I had a way to buy a round, I would.

Steve_Shannon on 05-18-2009 09:01 PM

#9 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

Quote:

If I had a way to buy a round, I would.

You could open an account at the Y Saloon at Lucerne and Bruno's at Gerlach. Secret word "rockets are stupid."

Jerry

Just Jerry on 05-18-2009 09:19 PM

#10 Re: Article: Joint Statement on the BATFE Litigation

So, does this mean I can mail order a HPR reload now, without a LEUP? Bring it home from a launch after buying it from a vendor? I visited several vendor sites today, but they still mention needing a LEUP on the site.

I had local L2 tell me that I would no longer need to pay for HAZMAT fees associated with shipping. Since it's still 1.4 class stuff, I wasn't so sure about that.

I've only been in HPR for two years, so I don't know how it was prior to the draconian measures. Maybe we need to re-hack the HPR rules of engagement for everyone so we don't unintentionally give the powers that be reasons for new "measures?"

That said, THANK YOU to NAR and TRA for putting up the good fight for all of us!

Stealthfixr on 05-18-2009 09:24 PM

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