I periodically order rockets for CAP activities, either in bulk, from Hobby stores offering the Teacher's Discount, or from Tower Hobbies. If you want to keep the hobby inexpensive enough for CAP, you might consider sending the online petition. The DOT wants to reclassify Rockets and igniters, which may mean that only people licensed to procure explosives will be able to order motors, forcing us to use the deadly alka-Fuji motors!
Major Lord
Dear Tower Hobbies Customer,
Many people are concerned with new government regulations that are designed to limit our hobby industry. You've probably heard about the new FAA regulations limiting our use of R/C airplanes and proposed shipping bans for R/C batteries.
New regulations are being considered regarding model rocket motors. This may not immediately impact your particular hobby but it's just another step toward regulation of materials used in hobbies and deserves your attention.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently advised that they propose to terminate a special permit under which model rocket motors and igniters have been shipped for the last 33 years. If the permit is terminated model rocket motors and igniters will no longer be able to be shipped as "Flammable Solids" and will instead have to be shipped as "Explosives."
In 33 years there have been no incidents involved in the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors and igniters.
Hobbyists need your support. Attached is a sample e-mail that we request you send immediately to express your support.
We believe that shipping model rocket motors and igniters as "Explosives" would only cause unnecessary concern for hobby shops, educators, youth group leaders and families using model rockets for educational and recreational purposes.
If you believe as we do, please send an e-mail to the Department of Transportation no later than October 10, 2011.
To assist you, here is a sample e-mail:
TO: specialpermits@dot.gov
Subject: DOT-SP 7887 Show Cause Response
Dear Associate Administrator,
The purpose of this e-mail is to request that DOT-SP 7887 be kept in force as written. The Special Permit, previously DOT-E 7887 has been in place since 1978 and is used by many of us who enjoy hobbies including model rockets, motors and igniters.
To my knowledge, there has never been an incident involving the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors and igniters. Further I believe that shipping these products as "Explosives" will create unnecessary fear and difficulty for those handling, transporting, receiving, storing, selling and using these products.
After 33 years of use, the termination of the Special Permit is unwarranted and possibly damaging to an educational and recreational product that has an excellent record. In closing, I again request the Special Permit be kept in place as written.
- Your Name and Address
The National Association of Rocketry, and Tripoli fought a long battle against the BATFE classifiying ammonium perchlorate used in high power motors as an explosive. The BATFE lost and had to pay a sizable chunk of money to the organizations to help pay their legal fees. I would like to think that the DOT would not want to get caught in the same battle over small black powder motors. Also I checked several rocket websites and no one seems to be talking about the reclassification, Yet.
Karl
This battle was already won, I surrendered my ATF explosives permit back to them. I'm free to launch in a free contry again.
Quote from: Thrash on October 01, 2011, 07:31:38 PM
This battle was already won, I surrendered my ATF explosives permit back to them. I'm free to launch in a free contry again.
Cool! What Country?
Major Lord