Quote from Admin on January 5, 2026, 3:06 pm

For those of you present at our January launch and for those who were not, there was a rather serious accident at Sunday's launch. Charlie was hit in the face by a rocket that came in ballistic after its motor ejection recovery did not activate. I don’t know if the motor ejection failed or if it was some other issue. Regardless, Charlie sustained a laceration to his upper lip and it required four stitches to close it. Fortunately, this damage was due to a rather small rocket but even a small rocket can inflict severe personal damage. A larger rocket could have inflicted more severe injury. Because CENJARS is seeing more and more substantial rockets being launched, I am taking the following steps.

To mitigate both personal injuries and property damages, I am establishing some changes. As a result of Sunday’s mishap, there will be some new safety guidelines put into place for future launches. Accidents happen which is why the NAR has established safety codes to attempt to mitigate them. However, I have seen some things at our launches that have me very concerned for the safety of both personnel and our happy home where we conduct our launches.

It has also come to my attention that some rockets being launched at our CENJARS launches DO NOT adhere to the definition of a Class 1 rocket. For you knowledge and reference, US Code of Federal Regulation states:

14CFR §101.22(a) Class 1—Model Rocket means an amateur rocket that:

1. 1. Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
   2. Uses a slow-burning propellant;
   3. Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
   4. Contains no substantial metal parts; and
   5. Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant. {approximately 3.3lbs)

14CFR §101.22(a)1..4 are generally observed because of commercial motors, and commercial rocket kits and components. However, 14CFR §101.22(a)5 seems to be getting breached on occasion.

For the remainder and future of my tenure as CENJARS president, I will, even if it means I never fly another rocket at a CENJARS launch, act as the RSO (range safety officer) for future launches. I will contribute my scale and all rockets will be weighed in, and the rocket’s motor impulse will be considered to assure that it has an appropriate TTW (thrust to weight ratio). I will acquire an RSO OK stamp which will be placed on all flight cards. LCO (launch control officers) will not launch any rocket without the RSO OK.

Rockets will be weighed in SI units (ie. grams and kilograms). This will simplify the TTW determination.  Its mass in kgs multiplied by 𝐠 (acceleration of gravity in SI units) will result in the rocket’s weight in N (newtons). 𝐠 is 9.8m/s which can be rounded to 10m/s for simple evaluation of the TTW.

Flyers that are not HPR (high powered rocketry) L2 certified fliers of rockets employing electronic recovery control will have their rocket's electronics and wiring examined before being allow to launch. Electronic deployment is typically found and used with Class 2 rockets. (see: 14CFR §101.22(a) Class 2—High-Power Rocket)

I will also bring a large loud cowbell until we can decide on a better alarm. Rockets coming in ballistic or that otherwise threaten the personnel behind the flight line will be alarmed with the cowbell (or future alarm).

(T)ARC teams' rockets will be scrutinized for proper build and recovery safety consideration. Several teams have been called out twice now for the placement of their launch buttons and various other issues. Excuses for deviation from proper placement of rail buttons will not be tolerated. Recovery harnesses, hardware and related recovery systems will also be scrutinized. Output from OpenRocket or RockSim simulation data would help flightworthiness determination at RSO.

As CENJARS president, I am concerned that I could be cited for liability for any injuries due to lax security supervision; thus, these changes.

Before our next launch, I will write up these rules and print them on a card which can/will be recited at the commencement of each launch. Due to latecomers, these rules may be repeatedly read throughout the launch.