High Power

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.  Ammonium perchlorate is brilliant - 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, I use a grenade box from Andy Little at Deepsky Rocket Supplies (See Suppliers 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.

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 if you feel you are going to need it, then you need to add "Black Powder - small amounts <0.5 kg UN0027 and UN 0028"

This storage certificate will cost you about £11 a year, depending on where you live.

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.

You need to fill in parts A, B, and D. Part C is for acquiring explosives only - you can't keep them ! For Question 9, put "Aerotech model rocket engines UN0349and UN0351 for use with high power model rockets". UN0275 does not need a licence. For the "where will they be used?" I put down "public land", and the police where fine about it.

For Q10, if you have experience with black powder motors (i.e. Estes) put down the length of time.

In Section B, tick the "registered store" box, and send a copy of the certificate with your application. It will take a few months, or weeks if your lucky, for your certificate to arrive, but it is free, and usually lasts for 3  years, except mine lasts for a year only, at which point you will have to re-apply.

Please Note: In some areas of the country your box will need to be lined with wood, and a large grenade box be bolted to the ground. Also if you want to store Black Powder (in its pure form) then you may need to get a burglar alarm fitted on your house.

Lastly we need an RCA. This is a Recipient Competent Authority Transfer Document and you need this to transport your motors around the country. 

Send a copy of your Explosives License to the Health and Safety Executive, and ask for the RCA for Aerotech model rocket motors, UN numbers, the smae as the ones for the store.  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