"Airprox" between COA B737 and "Model Rocket"?
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Originally Posted by Witraz
Probably the damage would be more depending on what model warhead, the model rocket was carrying.
Building model rockets is quite a common pastime in the US, more so than here in Europe.
The "warhead" usually contains a parachute with a timer, and if it's a student project there may be some bits of telemetry.
It's more hitting a few pounds of aluminium tubing that's going to make the mess...
CJ
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This story seems to make little or no sense. A model rocket would never be able to reach that kind of altitude and still be burning: Just about all model rockets burn out before they reach 150ft above the ground.
And if it was a bigger one it still makes no sense, the biggest rocket I've worked with (a black brant, which can reach 250miles altitude) doesn't burn out the first stage much above 5000ft.
Either the thing had a flare attached to it or the pilots have gotten a little confused.
And if it was a bigger one it still makes no sense, the biggest rocket I've worked with (a black brant, which can reach 250miles altitude) doesn't burn out the first stage much above 5000ft.
Either the thing had a flare attached to it or the pilots have gotten a little confused.
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Finally a thread I can be an expert on.
Model rockets flown under the rules laid down by the NAR / Tripoli rocket association are generally made of cardboard or plastic with possibly some fiberglass.
High Power Rockets under similar rules laid down by the two organizations are again largely made from cardboard, plastic, fiberglass and or carbon fiber composites. No structural metal components are permitted.
Outside of these rules is amateur rocketry - here anything goes as far as materials and such go.
High power / Amateur rockets must be launched either under the provisions of FAR 101 or under a written waiver issued by the FAA. Both require NOTAMS to be issued in advance to the FAA & Airports within the vicinity.
FAA regulations limit the burn time of rocket motors to 15 seconds, specifically to avoid a rocket still under power encountering an aircraft at altitude.
As a member of a rocket club I can vouch for the fact that we go to some trouble to a) ensure that all the relevant authorities know what were doing and b) never to launch when an aircraft is in the vicinity.
We're also generally subject to VFR requirements in that we cant launch into clouds or launch in conditions where the rocket wouldn't be readily visible. Night time launches require strobes for visibility.
There have been "model rockets" sighted by pilots in the past which turned out to be meteors or military rocket launches tens of miles away, a big rocket a long way off looks a lot like a little rocket fairly close when there's no distance size reference available.
Much of the current regulations are derived from FAA tests which determined that hitting an aircraft was a near impossibillity even if you really try hard.
Model rockets flown under the rules laid down by the NAR / Tripoli rocket association are generally made of cardboard or plastic with possibly some fiberglass.
High Power Rockets under similar rules laid down by the two organizations are again largely made from cardboard, plastic, fiberglass and or carbon fiber composites. No structural metal components are permitted.
Outside of these rules is amateur rocketry - here anything goes as far as materials and such go.
High power / Amateur rockets must be launched either under the provisions of FAR 101 or under a written waiver issued by the FAA. Both require NOTAMS to be issued in advance to the FAA & Airports within the vicinity.
FAA regulations limit the burn time of rocket motors to 15 seconds, specifically to avoid a rocket still under power encountering an aircraft at altitude.
As a member of a rocket club I can vouch for the fact that we go to some trouble to a) ensure that all the relevant authorities know what were doing and b) never to launch when an aircraft is in the vicinity.
We're also generally subject to VFR requirements in that we cant launch into clouds or launch in conditions where the rocket wouldn't be readily visible. Night time launches require strobes for visibility.
There have been "model rockets" sighted by pilots in the past which turned out to be meteors or military rocket launches tens of miles away, a big rocket a long way off looks a lot like a little rocket fairly close when there's no distance size reference available.
Much of the current regulations are derived from FAA tests which determined that hitting an aircraft was a near impossibillity even if you really try hard.
