The Air Navigation Order 2005

Regulation of rockets

99.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this article applies to—

(a) small rockets of which the total impulse of the motor or combination of motors exceeds 160 Newton-seconds; and

(b) large rockets.

(2) This article shall not apply to—

(a) an activity to which the Outer Space Act 1986(1) applies; or

(b) a military rocket.

(3) No person shall launch a small rocket to which this article applies unless the condition in paragraph (4), and any of the conditions in paragraph (5) which are applicable, are satisfied.

(4) The condition first mentioned in paragraph (3) is that he has reasonably satisfied himself that—

(a) the flight can be safely made; and

(b) the airspace within which the flight will take place is, and will throughout the flight, remain clear of any obstructions including any aircraft in flight.

(5) The conditions mentioned secondly in paragraph (3) are that—

(a) for a flight within controlled airspace, he has obtained the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit for aircraft flying in that airspace;

(b) for a flight within an aerodrome traffic zone at any of the times specified in Column 2 of the Table in rule 39(1) of the Rules of the Air Regulations 1996(2)—

(i) he has obtained the permission of the air traffic control unit at the aerodrome; or

(ii) where there is no air traffic control unit, he has obtained from the aerodrome flight information service unit at that aerodrome information to enable the flight within the zone to be conducted safely; or

(iii) where there is no air traffic control unit and no aerodrome flight information service unit, he has obtained information from the air/ground communications service unit at that aerodrome to enable the flight to be conducted safely;

(c) for a flight for aerial work purposes the flight is carried out under and in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.

(6) No person shall launch a large rocket unless he does so under and in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.

(1)

1986 c. 38.

(2)

S.I. 1996/1393.