CRA Rules and Regulations

 

Rules and Regulations

The Calgary Rocketry Association (CRA) follows the Canadian Association of Rocketry Safety Code. In addition to the CAR Safety Code the CRA maintains a "launch policy", which is detailed below:

Calgary Rocketry Association (CRA) Launch Policy

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

1. The CAR Safety Code will be followed at all times. If you are not familiar with the Safety Code, copies of the Code are available at the launch site and will be posted.
   
2. The launch will be managed by a qualified Range Safety Officer (RSO) as designated by the CRA Executive. 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 orange safety vests. The RSO, LCO, and Pad Manger(s) will be identified by a name tag.
   
3. All Rockets to be flown are subject to inspection and approval by the RSO or the LCO.
   
4. The RSOs and LCOs will be experienced, senior members of the CRA, and additionally must be members of the Canadian Association of Rocketry (CAR).
   
5. A suitable launch area perimeter will be defined around the launch pad equipment by the RSO using traffic cones, stakes, and/or safety tape. During a launch, all CRA or personal launch equipment will be maintained within this area.
   
6. In those instances when personal launch equipment may be used in addition to the CRA equipment, the personal equipment is subject to the inspection and control of the CRA launch officials. CRA members permitted to use their personal launch equipment are expected to display a cordial attitude to fellow rocketeers and allow use of their equipment by the CRA launch officials if requested.
   
7. No person shall proceed into the controlled launch area at any time without the permission of the launch officials.
   
8. No person shall travel between the launch control system and the launch pads without the permission and knowledge of the RSO and LCO.
   
9. A clearly audible five second countdown will be announced prior to each rocket being launched. Ignition will be triggered after "1" has been counted, but all in attendance should assume that a rocket launch is imminent during, or immediately following, a countdown, without warning.
   
10. No person shall use the word "FIRE" to refer to anything other than an actual fire or flaming situation at a launch.
    
11. 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.
    
12. No person shall recover their rocket until the RSO has declared the range "open".
    
13. No one shall recover another person's rocket without permission of the owner.
    
14. Running towards a model rocket can lead to injury and shall be discouraged at all times.
    
15. Breach of any of this policy at any time during a launch may result in the suspension of launch privileges.