European Model Rocketry

 European Model Rocketry
European Model Rocketry


Regulations Germany

While flying model rockets, the following laws and regulations from the explosive and aviation laws apply:

In general, flying model rockets (different to sylvester rockets) are allowed all time of the year within the Federal Republic of Germany. However, various laws and regulations will often limit the hobby.

A model rocket is classified as an aviation vehicle. The owner is responsible for the model. There is no need to licence a model rocket (as required for airplanes). For model rockets with under 20 grams of propellant (engine without casing, nozzle etc.), there is no need to apply for a launch permission according to §16.6. LuftVO. For flying model rockets over this limit, a launch permission is required (avail. at the local aviation authority office).

The altitude limit depends on the launch location. Without a special permission, models may be launched within the non-controlled air space. The limits are different depending on the launch location. Ask the local aviation authorities for details or look into the public air space plans. As a general guide, the controlled air space will start at ground near airports or military areas. Near larger populated areas and cities, it usually starts at 330 meters (if not closed to airports) while it will be higher at non-populated areas. A permission is always needed if the controlled air space is used!

Model rocket engines are explosive devices classified as "group IV-propellants 'RG'" (Gruppe IV - Treibmittel "RG") according to the explosive law. Previously, they were classified as T1 and T2 (pyrotechnical devices for educational and experimental purposes). This classification is no longer valid. Engines with up to 20 grams of pyrotechnical devices (effective propellant mass) may be sold and used by everyone of 18 years and over. Young people of 14 years and over may use engines and igniters under parential supervision. If used in clubs, a written parential agreement is required.

Engines with over 20 grams of propellant may not be used without permission. They can only be sold to persons possessing an "Erlaubnis nach §27 des Sprengstoffgesetzes" (license according to §27 of the explosive law), also called "T2 license". The license can be applied at the local regulations office (e.g. "Gewerbeaufsichtsamt") if the applicant is older than 21 (18 years with exeption). To get the license, a special test must be passed and a proof of interest (for example, membership in a rocketry club) must be supplied. With this license, engines with more than 20 grams of propellant can be purchased and flown. Engine clustering and multistage flights requires this license as well.

In reality, however, it is quite hard or even impossible to get the license since very few authority offices have the special knowledge needed. So far, the number of rocketeers possessing such a license is so small no company is offering such model rocket engines any more. More about this situation at the end of this report.

Model rocket engines in Germany need to be tested and certified by the Federal Office for Material Testing (Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung - BAM). They need to carry a certification code on the casing. Foreign engines can only be imported by the importeur who is mentioned in the certification documents. The import of similiar engines by third parties, even from other European Union (EU) countries, is not allowed even if the engines is certified in Germany. Making own engines is forbitten, too. Same regulations apply for igniters with pyrotechnical covering. For transportation and storage, restrictions apply. In general, engines may only be shipped as dangerous goods by rail, not with postal or parcel services!

Some other restrictions are: clustering and multistage flights requires a license according to §27 of the explosive law (T2 licence) and a launch permission. It is also required if a single use with the same engine is not limited, e.g. clustering 2 "A" engines.

Launch ist only permitted if the owner of the launch area has agreed, the air space is clear, the next airport is more than 1.5 km away and no hospitals, retirement homes, airways etc. are next to the area. Different to model airplanes, there is no need to have a 1.5 km distance to homes and a special launch permission is not needed up to the 20 gram propellant limit as mentioned. For launching model rockets at public events, no permission is needed as long as the launch requires no special permission.

This is only a short summary of current regulations with no guarantee for completeness or correctness. At the time this report was written, there are chances going on due to EU regulation efforts so a few questions remains unanswered. However, if you follow the hints in this report, no troubles are expected. For more details, pls. contact the authorities (air control offices, regulation offices etc.) or the local model rocketry and aviation organizations.

The current regulations will be replaced by EU-wide laws step by step during the next years. So some chances will be made. This is even necessary since the current laws are from the 70´s and do not reflect current technical developments. For example, they block high power rocketry and a better integration into school projects due to the high age limit.

The model rocketry szene likes to adapt to international standards. In some countries, this was achieved in the past years, unfortunatly, the current regulations in Germany are still outdated. For example, since a couple of years engines are classified as toy propellants due to UN and other nations regulations (such as the US) while they are still regular explosives in Germany. This means stronger storage, transportation and age limits. Some regulations like the T2 licence are unpractical and need to be reformed in the eyes of many German model rocketeers.

(Source: Book Fliegende Modellraketen - selbst gebaut, Oliver Missbach, Munich, summer 2001, no reprint without permission)

For more informations on German regulations, pls. visit modellraketen.de

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