27 replies to this topic

[arkcreations]

Hi guy's

 

Sorry to ask this question, you probably get it a lot. I'm just starting out in Rocketetry as a hobby, but i just wanted a few things cleared up first. Oh, and I'm only talking about making a 5 inch PVC rocket for now, nothing major just yet.

 

1) Is it illegal to make R-candy in the UK? 

2) If you can make it, is there a limit to how much you can make

3) Is there specification's on storage?

4) Is it legal to make your own small rocket and use R-candy as fuel on your own private property?

 

Non-law question

 

1) If i wanted to add color to my kno3 smoke, what would i use, how much would i use and where about's should i put it?.

 

I think that's all the questions. Would love for someone to clear this up?

[dannytsg]

Personally I am not too sure on the legalities of making sugar/kno3 rockets and flying them in the UK but I do know of a good video on the subject. I did find this quote though

"In the U.K. it is illegal to manufacture solid rocket motors of ANY size, anywhere in the U.K., under the 1875 Explosives Act. Manufacture is defined as mixing the solid compounds neccesary to make the solid propellant for a solid rocket motor."



Hopefully you get the answers you need and welcome to the forum

Edited by dannytsg, 24 October 2014 - 09:28 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

The two aspects to consider are the explosives (rocket fuel issue) and the flying issue -where will the rocket go and how high will it travel. Careful reading of the Acts and their associated Regulations will get you through the rocket fuel question, but there is a LOT to consider with regard to the flying issue. You need to be able to make some estimate of how high your product will fly or you risk entering controlled airspace.

[arkcreations]

The two aspects to consider are the explosives (rocket fuel issue) and the flying issue -where will the rocket go and how high will it travel. Careful reading of the Acts and their associated Regulations will get you through the rocket fuel question, but there is a LOT to consider with regard to the flying issue. You need to be able to make some estimate of how high your product will fly or you risk entering controlled airspace.

Well i just read on here, that a new legislation had come out in effect from October 2014 that states you can make no more then 100g of fuel for experimental or demonstration purposes, is that correct and does that mean i'm legally allowed to make it for the purpose of fuel?

Also the rocket i was going to make will fly no more than 300 feet. Just for knowledge sake, what's the legal limit for a height a homemade rocket can go. I will be launicng the rocket on my own private property, i have a big, big garden that's in the countryside. 

So just for clarification, if i was creating the fuel, and the rocket for experimental purposes, even demonstration purposes. Is that classed as legal as long as i follow the rules i stated above ( 100g or less of rocket fuel ).

 

I'm also looking at joining the rocket club on Pyrosociety 

 

Regards

[Arthur Brown]

Well an aircraft in flight may not normally fly below 500ft above the locality, so if you have checked clear of local landing grounds and have good reason to say that your peak altitude will be less than 300ft, then that seems clear. If you have read and understood the ER2014 and the guidance on here then compliance with that should make you legal. Then it's up to you to ensure that you have appropriate safety distances and don't frighten the neighbours or animals.

[arkcreations]

Well an aircraft in flight may not normally fly below 500ft above the locality, so if you have checked clear of local landing grounds and have good reason to say that your peak altitude will be less than 300ft, then that seems clear. If you have read and understood the ER2014 and the guidance on here then compliance with that should make you legal. Then it's up to you to ensure that you have appropriate safety distances and don't frighten the neighbours or animals.

Thanks for the quick response and answer. If i need any more information on legislation's associated with this, who should i call? I've been looking on the internet but can only find citizens advice...... 

Oh and does that mean i wont be able to create a motor that flys over 1000ft in future?

1 more question . My fuel mix is Potassium nitrate mixed with sugar, i can't seem to find anything on the ER 2014 that states whether you need a license or not.

 

Regards

Edited by arkcreations, 25 October 2014 - 10:36 AM.

[phildunford]

Interesting, as there is no black powder or flash, I assume 'acquire and keep' would not be needed...

[dannytsg]

I would have thought that as it is not listed in ER then no license is required however don't quote me on that

[maxman]

Anything not on schedule 2 would require a certificate as it is a relevant explosive. But then it seems when a pyrotechnic article is made no certificate is required to be in possession of the article.

[arkcreations]

Oh right, so that means i'm legally allowed to keep 100g or less in a secure place?

[maxman]

As per my last post as far as I know you would need a certificate to make the explosive as it is not on schedule 2. Then not keep the mixture but instead make the rocket motor which would likely then be "1.4G  pyrotechnic article" until you were ready to do your experiment (fire the device)

 

Rod

[arkcreations]

As per my last post as far as I know you would need a certificate to make the explosive as it is not on schedule 2. Then not keep the mixture but instead make the rocket motor which would likely then be "1.4G  pyrotechnic article" until you were ready to do your experiment (fire the device)

 

Rod

Oh right, thanks. Where do i obtain a certificate?

 

Regards

[dannytsg]

You would have to apply for a COER certificate from your local police force

[arkcreations]

Strange, i just read the COER certificate and could find anywhere stating that i would need one when it comes to Pyrotechnics, neither could i find Potassium nitrate on the list.

 

I've emailed my county police department that handle Explosive and firearms, and hope they can clarify this. As a few people have said this is for Pyrotechnic use and not for explosive use.

 

Regards

[digger]

OK.

 

You are correct you can effectively make a 100gram (fuel weight) rocket motor with rocket candy without the need for any form of licence for experimental testing purposes. There are no listed ingredients or explosives involved.

 

The issue could be, where are you going to fly it?

 

The rocket motor would be considered an unclassified explosive and hence can only be transported by road to a place of testing with the prior approval of the HSE.

 

Nope you can't add any dye to rocket candy to make coloured smoke. It unfortunately burns to hot, which destroys the dye.