The kids TV show Blue Peter today showed film of an enthusiast who had built a rocket some 8 feet long and 8-10 in in diameter.
He estimated it had reached 1200 feet before the nose and body separated (I've no idea why) and the whole caboodle came down tied together under a parachute in an assembly perhaps 6-8m long.
No mention was made of fuel, but I guess solid. The launch was spactacular, to say the least.
As an aviator it made my hair stand on end, one of these could probably take out any light/commuter a/c , a helicopter would stand no chance.
Are these things common?
Are they regulated?
Is their use NOTAM'd? I have never seen this.
How big and how high are these things allowed to go? Something the size of 8 feet of utility pole screaming into the sky is not a toy.
Is there an appreciable hazard?
I have not turned much up on the net, but this link gives a flavour;
www.fortunepaint.com/rockets/htm
I hope never to meet up with that 4500lb thrust B47 RATO pack they sell. Straight out of the Darwin Awards, that one!
[This message has been edited by capt waffoo (edited 23 March 2001).]