This table is suppose to make it easier. You need to know your Gross Lift Off Weight (GLOW) and your motor(s) specifications. Start from the top left of the table and keep going down and right until you meet all the requirements. The last cell will tell you what you have to do to fly your rocket.
| Proximity to Airport | Rocket Weight GLOW | Single motor | Multi Motor | Average Thrust | Restriction |
| > 5 nautical miles | <1500g/1lbs | <62.5g (Typical G motor) or < 160 N-Sec | <62.5g or < 160 N-Sec | <80N | Standard, No FAA |
| > 5 nautical miles | <1500g/3.3lbs | <125g (Typical H motor) | <125g | >=80N | Pyro III, No FAA |
| < 5 nautical miles | >1500g/3.3lbs | <10240N-Sec M motor limit | <20480N-Sec | N/A | FAA Waiver Required |
| < 5 nautical miles | >1500g/3.3lbs | <40960N-Sec O motor limit | <40960N-Sec | N/A | Not CA legal, use another state. |
| < 5 nautical miles | >1500g/3.3lbs | >=40960N-Sec O motor limit | >=40960N-Sec | N/A | Class 3 Rocket |
Standard = Permission of the land owner, insurance, and a
fire permit.
Notice = No longer used. "Large Model Rockets" (>453g & <1500g GLOW, >62.5g & <125g propellant, >113g & < 125g total propellant in multiple motors) was dropped from FAR 101.22.
Waiver = Standard plus a waiver filed with the local FAA controller
and a CA Pyro Technician Class III Rocketry. FAR 101
Pyro III is required when: a rocket that (1) is propelled
by one or more high power rocket motors (more than 160 Newton-seconds (36
lb.-seconds)
of total impulse or an average thrust greater than 80 N (18 lbs) or more than
62.5 g (2.2 oz) of propellant,) ; (2) is propelled by a combination of model
rocket motors having an installed total impulse of more than 320 N-sec (71.9
lb-sec); (3) is propelled by a combination of model rocket motors having
more
than a total of 125 g (4.4 oz) of propellant weight; or (4) weighs more than
1500 g (53 oz - 3.3lbs) with motor(s) installed.
Motor = Impulse
1/4A < .625NSec
1/2A < 1.25NSec
A < 2.5NSec
B < 5.0NSec
C < 10NSec
D < 20NSec
E < 40NSec
F < 80NSec
G < 160NSec CA Pyro III required for a single motor over 160NSec.
H < 320NSec CA Pyro III required for a multi motor cluster or staged over
320NSec.
I < 640NSec
J < 1280NSec
K < 2560NSec
L < 5120NSec
M < 10240NSec Single motor limit for CA
N < 20480NSec Multi motor limit for CA
O < 40960NSec Experimental motor limit for USA