Rules and Regulations for Safe Flying

Rules and Regulations for safe flying

All persons in attendance at any EARS launch, whether in the launch area, preparation area, or recovery area, shall abide by the following rules:

1. The UKRA Safety Code will be followed at all times.
2. Adequate third party liability insurance will be required for ANY launch. (Without prior approval, BMFA insurance covers up to and including M class motor.)
3. Prior to any launch, a launch card must be completed and handed to the RSO.
4. The launch will be managed by a qualified Range Safety Officer (RSO). Depending on the location, attendance, and site conditions, the RSO may appoint Launch Control Officers (LCO) in addition to Pad Managers. The RSO may also designate additional Safety Officers. All persons attending a launch must obey any instruction given to them by any of the officials. The officials will be identified by their YELLOW safety vests.
5. All Rockets to be flown are subject to inspection and approval by the RSO.
6. The RSO’s and LCO’s will be experienced and additionally must be certified members of the United Kingdom Rocketry Association (UKRA).
7. A suitable launch area perimeter may be defined around the launch pad equipment by the RSO.
8. In instances when personal launch equipment is to be used, the personal equipment is subject to the inspection and control of the EARS launch officials. EARS members permitted to use their personal launch equipment are expected to display a cordial attitude to fellow rocketeers.
9. No person shall proceed into the controlled launch area at any time without the permission of the launch officials.
10. No person shall enter the range without the permission and knowledge of the RSO.
11. A clearly audible five second countdown will be announced prior to each rocket being launched. Ignition will be triggered after “1” has been counted, all in attendance should assume that a rocket launch is imminent during, or immediately following, a countdown, without warning.
12. No person shall use the word “FIRE” to refer to anything other than an actual fire or flaming situation at a launch.
13. Any person in attendance may yell “HOLD” during a countdown to prevent the launch of a rocket. This is intended for emergency purposes only , and is to alert launch officials of a potentially dangerous situation.
14. No person shall recover their rocket until the RSO has declared the range “open”.
15. No one shall recover another person’s rocket without permission of the owner.
16. Running towards any rocket or launch pad can lead to injury and shall be discouraged at all times.
17. Breach of any of this policy at any time during a launch may result in the suspension of launch privileges, being asked to leave the range / launch site / event. Breaches may be referred to the EARS disciplinary committee.
18. No person shall enter into any growing, or recently sowed or sprayed field, unless expressly for the recovery of their rocket. Wherever possible, please use the “tram-lines” in the crop to get as close as possible to the rocket.
19. A MAXIMUM of 2 persons shall recover any rocket once it is deemed to have “touched down”. Unless prior arrangements have been made with the RSO, due to physical size, the recovery of CATO’d components, or multiple stages.
20. No person, other than the owner or delegated person, shall approach any rocket that has suffered a deployment failure. That person shall endeavour to make safe any and all deployment charges. The delegated person to be made known to the RSO prior to making safe any rocket.
21. In the event of a suspected or confirmed deployment failure, or when the rocket rises above the cloudbase, the RSO will call “HEADS UP”, everyone is to immediately leave any covered structure, including tents, marquees and suchlike, and scan the sky for the rocket. All persons must be ready to move quickly to avoid personal injury from any rocket, or part of that may be descending in an uncontrolled or ballistic fashion. Any person may call “HEADS UP” if he or she sees, or suspects incoming debris or rockets.
22. In the event of a “HEADS UP” being called, any children may be physically moved in order to prevent immediate physical harm. No child shall be physically restrained, by any person other than parent / guardian for any other reason.
23. Radio trackers are allowed, subject to being limited to duly authorized bands. They will only be active immediately prior to launch, and switched off immediately on recovery. Testing of transmitters in launch prep areas must be kept to an absolute minimum, and may be subject to the RSO asking for testing to cease immediately.
24. Radio etiquette to be observed at all times. PMR446 radio systems may be used, with certain channels being reserved for EARS, these channel restrictions will be posted. Any other radio transmitter shall be used ONLY by duly licensed persons.
25. Any and all litter and spent motors to be removed from the launch site.