If you invoke a FAA waiver, and you plan on lauching a combination of model rockets, large model rockets and hpr, does the FAA waiver also cover the LMR? I mean, do you still have to call in the LMR notification, or will the FAA waiver automatically include that?
terry dean nar16158
I believe that a waiver covers upto the limits imposed by the waiver. If your waiver is for HPR upto 10,000 feet, you can launch any rocket (that you're certified to launch) up to that alt. Weight and porpellant restrictions are gone.
Since you have to call the ATC to activate the waiver, that is the notification that would be done with the NOTAM as well.
My opinions are just that, my opinion. Call up your local ATC and ask what they would like. If you don't do what they would like, it'll be harder to get a waiver next time.
-Aaron
The waiver covers everything. When you activate the waiver, a NOTAM is filed to alert aircraft. In our area, the control tower is also notified when you actually start and stop launching.
I was told by the FAA guy in Los Angeles many years ago (and I have not asked since then, so they may have changed their mind) that the entire reason for the LMR category was that it was not to be waived and they wanted to have people do the notification. In other words, even if there was a waiver for what we consider HPR (the FAA does not use that term), you were still expected to notify for LMR.
There is nothing legally preventing you from applying for a waiver for any or all of the FAR, including the LMR notification requirements, but why do so?
I know why I asked originally (it all comes back to me now...). We had a problem with the airport manager who went ultra-negative over our faxing in the notification for LMR. We contacted the regional FAA guy who handles waivers and all issues from Model Rockets upward. He had no problem with our launch site and even spoke to the airport manager but got nowhere. We asked the FAA guy if we could just waive that notification section and he said "No", and explained that a lot of thought went into the addition of the LMR category and the requirements and that we needed to follow the procedure. Eventually we worked things out with the help of many levels of management at the County Parks Dept (the airport manager is a contracted employee of the County Public Works Dept which owns the airport).
I hope this info helps.
-Fred Shecter
The waiver covers everything.
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