We are having a few of my son's friends over for his 12th birthday this weekend. In the continuing battle to stay relevant amongst this tough crowd, I thought we would build some small model rockets and launch them in Fairmount Park, someplace out of the way. Anybody know if I am tempting prosecution for something by doing this? I don't think being led away in handcuffs is a good party activity. Any guidance would be appreciated.

You'll be fine. In our post 911 world I'd maybe save the packaging and receipt just to show anyone who raises a brow at you. The only time you need to worry is if you've got a larger rocket that has multiple E engines.

I've been surprised-there has seemed to be a resurgence in model rockets on a retail level. I've recently seen them at target, kmart, and a pretty decent supply at toys r us. If you are getting premade ones, just be safe and check the recall list on estes website since retail stock for rockets can be a bit outdated at times.

When in doubt, call and ask. At the worst, you avoid your nightmare of becoming the parent who was fined at the party and have time to find another location. Definitely be sure to scout the area you hope to launch from, you need an open space without many trees - low wind, the grass shouldn't be dry, no power lines nearby, etc. Do your homework, present your plan and see what the Park says - I'd rather you hand a name of an employee (or written permission if you can get it) than a receipt (albeit Alesis' point is well taken because they should not be sold in local stores if they can't be used).

We used to shoot model rockets years ago many times without problems in a large schoolyard in Delco. We only did it when the area was free of people and Chathamdad, you make me want to get to the store and purchase rockets now, so update if you get to launch at Fairmount because we'll be doing it soon!!!! Here is a link on basic model rocketry rules. http://www.nar.org/NARmrsc.html

Personally, just coming off of Memorial Day in the City, if they tell you no it's a joke - I saw more higher flying dangerous fireworks being set off illegally. You definitely get my vote to do it, model rocketry is a very safe and educational hobby (I think you will become the Cool Parent!).

You'll become the cool dad on the block, if you pull this off! Everybody will want you to organize their parties.

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Make sure there's no planes around too, doubt you'll want the Feds to come knocking.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5802729.html

May 26, 2008, 10:48PM
Continental pilot startled by encounter with 'rocket'

By CINDY HORSWELL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

A Continental Airlines pilot reported being startled by what he described as a rocket that shot past his cockpit window Monday when the plane was about eight miles north of George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating the incident, which occurred about 10:30 a.m.
"We don't know for sure what the object was. But we think it might be somebody doing model rocketing," said Roland Herwig, an FAA spokesman. "The pilot saw the rocket and some people saw the rocket's trail (of smoke)."
Continental Airlines spokeswoman Kelly Cripe said Monday night that she could not discuss what was seen by the crew of Flight 1544. She would only say that the Boeing 737, with 148 passengers. left Bush at 10:17 a.m. and arrived in Cleveland, Ohio at 2:13 p.m.
She said the pilot made no diversionary maneuvers, and she added the plane was not damaged, and nobody was injured.
The FAA does not yet know how close the object came to the plane or what altitude it reached. "We will determine that by establishing a radar history," Herwig said.
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap stressed that it is "routine" for the FBI to look into suspicious activity involving an aircraft.
"We don't know if it was a rocket or what. We will interview everyone and determine the validity of what was seen," she said.
If it was model rocket, investigators want to know the type and who launched it.
"Building rockets is a legitimate hobby, but hobbyists have to let the FAA know what they're doing," Herwig said.
Robert Morehead, an engineer who is president of the Amateur Spaceflight Association in Houston, said the FAA would only need to be notified if a rocket would be entering controlled airspace.
He said the only danger to a plane might be if the rocket is ingested by a plane's engine.
"But their engines are designed to ingest birds and not come apart," said Morehead, who lives in Clear Lake. "The real question is if the rocket would tear up the engine instead of just shutting it off."
Model rockets can be made of cardboard and glue or have aluminum air frames, he said. Rockets also have no difficulty reaching the 30,000 to 40,000 feet, the altitude at which an airliner may cruise.
"There is a guy who claims his rocket has reached the threshold of space or 75 miles," Morehead said. "But there are lots of models that could fly as high as an airliner. You can do it with a 10- to 15-foot tall rocket and some little ones."
But Flight 1544 had recently taken off and might not have been flying that high, he said.
The models can be fueled with everything from black powder to ammonium percholorate and aluminum, he said.
"It's not rocket science when you use a kit," he said. His organization builds rockets from scratch to teach students the math and science behind it.
"We just built one using liquid fuel that had substantially more thrust than the models," he said.
Laura Brown, an FAA spokeswoman in Washington D.C., said the Monday incident is not the first time a rocket has crossed paths with an airliner. But so far, no plane has been hit by a launched model rocket.
"There are model rocket clubs operating around the country. This was a holiday weekend that would be good for a launch," she said.
cindy.horswell@chron.com

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That article talks about rockets that can climb thousands of feet in altitude. I'd frankly be afraid to be around a model rocket with that much thrust. The rockets we'll be launching are rated to go no higher than about 800 feet. So unless I unhappily time it to coincide with a low flyover by Chopper One, I should be OK.

Famous last words......

You should check with Fairmount Park before doing this. They require permits for everything but picking your nose there.
Seriously, Fairmount Park Code 15-202309 prohibits model airplanes, which the Park might apply to the model rockets, I don't know.
I hope it works out for your son and his friends, though. It sounds like a cool idea.

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.... Just no splashdown. We had 5 successful launches this morning at Lemon Hill. No arrests, and much fun for kids and adults as well. However, while the large, heavier rocket returned to the expected landing area (a.k.a. within scootering distance), the three smaller ones got caught in the breeze and drifted away toward the Art Museum. Never found them, and did not hear any car accidents from that direction, so I assume they came down soft and out of the way.

But the kids (and adults) had a blast, and we're hooked on rocket launching. Thanks to all who made sugggestions here.

Oh man that brings back memories....we used to lose them all the time. I never built anything larger then a 2 stage though....did you take any photos of the event?

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Congratulations to the Birthday Child with the Coolest Dad! You totally have us psyched and see you on Lemon Hill if you want to have another day of rocketry, would love to bring out some and join in the festivities with our 11 year old! Send me a PM if you plan to go back.