Moving up
Once you have gained some experience building and flying (and chasing!) rockets up to "D" power, you may well wish to take things a step further. Quite a few of the models in our mid-power selection can be flown on "D" motors, but to really make them move, motors of "E" and "F" power are recommended.
Instead of using black powder as the propellant ( like Estes motors), these motors use Ammonium Perchlorate, which is classified as an explosive, so you will need to get hold of three bits of paperwork before you can buy them. Don't worry - it's all very straightforward, and it's well worth it! Ammonium perchlorate is good stuff - it makes more noise, more smoke, and weight for weight produces about three times the power of black powder!
First of all, you will have to register your premises, or wherever you intend to keep your motors, as a REGISTERED EXPLOSIVES STORE . Contact your local Trading Standards department, and ask for the form to apply to register an explosives store. You will need a suitable container to keep the motors in - we use an ex-military missile case fitted with padlocks, and we can supply these - see our "Launch Supplies" page.
There are two types of store - "Mode A" and "Mode B" - you want Mode B status. Mode A is for large amounts of explosives, and is quite involved.
On the form you will need to state the type of explosives, which is "mixed explosives", and also you must state "Aerotech model rocket engines UN0349, UN0351, and UN0275, for use with high power model rockets". Some of the larger Aerotech reloadable motors do not have an ejection charge, and for these you will need Black Powder, so add "Black Powder - small amounts <0.5 kg UN0027 and UN 0028"
This storage cetificate will cost you about £11 a year, and bear in mind that Trading Standards can come and inspect your premises, and you can get a hefty fine if you're not following the rules!
The next bit of paperwork is your EXPLOSIVES CERTIFICATE Ring your local Police HQ, and ask for the Firearms Officer. The form you are after is a COER1(control of explosives regulations)
You need to fill in parts A, B, and D. Part C is for acquiring explosives only - you can't keep them, so it's not much use for our purposes! For Question 9, "purpose", put "Aerotech model rocket engines UN0349and UN0351 for use with high power model rockets". For some reason, UN0275 does not need a licence? For the "where will they be used?" it helps if you are flying from private land to have a simple letter of permission from the land-owner.
For Q10, if you have experience with black powder motors (i.e. Estes) put down the length of time.
In Section B, if you have received your explosives store certificate, then tick the "registered store" box, and send a copy of the certificate with your application. It will take a few weeks for your certificate to arrive, but this one is free, and usually lasts for three years, at which time you will have to re-apply.
Okay, finally we need an RCA, sometimes called a POMSTER. This is a RECIPIENT COMPETENT AUTHORITY TRANSFER DOCUMENT and you need this to transport your motors around the country. It will also be required by Customs if you import motors yourself.
Send a copy of your Explosives Licence to the Health and Safety Executive, and ask for the RCA for Aerotech model rocket motors, UN numbers as above. You should include UN0275 this time - it doesn't need an explosives certificate, but it does need an RCA to transport it! Also include the two UN numbers for black powder if you will be using it. The RCA is free too, and lasts for the life of your explosives certificate.
The address for the HSE is
That wasn't too difficult was it! And it will be worth it too when you see the difference these motors make!