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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Many of you who are NAR members have received the following
e-mail. I’m passing this on for those of you who don’t belong to
the NAR, but we need your help in preserving the status quo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>It seems there’s an administrator at the DOT (Department
of Transportation) who has political ambitions, and the cause he’s
decided on is stopping the “hazardous” shipping of model rocket
motors without an explosives permit. We’re talking everything down to
MicroMaxx here. These motors are currently shipping under a rule called DOT
– SP 7887, which governs the shipment of “flammable solids.” The
current rule has been in place for 33 years and there have been no shipping incidents
with the hundreds of millions of motors shipped during that time. That’s
an astounding safety record, which is what brings the administrator’s
motives into question. Moving the motors from “flammable solids” to
“explosives” would essentially kill all LP rocketry since the
shipping permit would cost more than the motors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>The message below is the original e-mail from Mary Roberts, the
person who really runs Estes (don’t let anyone tell you different!) explaining
what they’re trying to accomplish. There should also be four files
attached to this message. Three of them are background documents, just FYI. The
two PDF’s are the original proposal from the DOT. The “Hobbico-Estes”
file is the letter from the Hobbico lawyer with the company’s response.
Finally, the “Sample Letter” is where you come in. It is the letter
that they would like you to send to the DOT requesting that DOT – SP 7887
remain in effect. You can send it by e-mail or paper mail (preferably on a
letterhead). E-mail is find, but paper mail still carries more weight in DC. I’m
going to be sending mine on ARA Press letterhead, but whatever you do, Mary
asks that you copy her on your submission (the address is in the sample letter
and she’s cc’d on this message.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Please help the hobby avoid another costly legal battle with the
feds!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>- Jack<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Jack Hagerty, LUNAR #0002<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>http://www.lunar.org<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='color:#1F497D'>"If God had meant us to be a spacefaring race,<br>
He would have given us a moon" -- Krafft Ehricke</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Mary Roberts
[mailto:MRoberts@centurims.com] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, September 22, 2011 5:12 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Tommy Billings; Tim Ziegenbein; Tim VanMilligan; Robert Edmonds; Robert
DeHate; Peter Lawall; Michael Sunseri; Michael Stoop; Ken Brown; John Dyer; Jim
Flis; Fred Ziegler; David Bachelder; Carl McLawhorn; Bob Korman; Bill Saindon;
Barry Lynch; Anthony Cesaroni; Angelo Castellano; Andy Jackson; Adrian Adamson;
Art Applewhite; Jack Hagerty<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Vince Huegele; Ted Cochran; Stewart McNabb (work); Joyce Guzik; John
Lyngdal; Hochheimer, John; Jennifer Ash-Poole; Tom Ha; Gary C. Rosenfield; Bill
Stine<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Shipping of Model Rocket Engines/Motors and Igniters<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times'>
</span><b><u><span style='font-family:Times;color:red'>URGENT NOTICE–
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Times'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:Times'>Re: DOT-SP 7887,
DOT-SP 7887 Show Cause Letter and Estes’ Response <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Times'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Attn: Model Rocketry Product Manufacturers:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>As a participant and supplier in the world of model
rocketry, we believe you have a stake in the shipping of model rocket engines
and igniters. We are writing to advise you of recent developments
and to ask for your action and support. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On August 15, 2011 all grantees authorized to use DOT
– SP 7887 received a Show Cause letter from the US Dept of Transportation
(DOT). The Special Permit, DOT – SP 7887 allows the
shipment of model rocket motors (engines) and igniters in limited quantities to
be shipped as Flammable Solids. The Show Cause letter advised that
additional testing of model rocket motors is needed to determine if they may be
excluded from the classification of Explosives. After an evaluation of
the testing to which the letter referred, it was determined that model rocket
motors would not meet the criteria for exclusion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The letter further advises that whether or not model rocket
motors meet the criteria, DOT is proposing to terminate the Special Permit. <u>The
Special Permit has been in place since 1978. In 33 years there have been
no incidents involved in the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors
and igniters. <o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Model rockets, engines/motors and their igniters are shipped
to educators, youth group leaders, children and their families for educational
and recreational purposes. Model rocket motors and igniters have an
excellent record with regard to shipping and transportation. We are
very concerned that having to use an Explosives label on packages of engines
and igniters projects a frightening message and an exaggerated risk to those
receiving the packages. Model rocket engines and igniters do not ignite
spontaneously and they don’t EXPLODE. They are propellant
devices. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Shipping engines and igniters as 1.4S explosives is not a
great deal more difficult from a technical standpoint nor is it a lot more
expensive. However, the word “explosives” on a bright
orange hazardous materials label creates more concern than does a flammable
solid label! Boxes of model rocket engines and igniters sitting in the
back rooms of hobby shops, large distribution centers, wholesalers’
warehouses and school supply closets will likely garner far more attention from
fire prevention personnel, insurance investigators, school administrators, OSHA
inspectors and most importantly from the parents of young rocket enthusiasts!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Therefore, Estes as well as Quest Aerospace and RCS/Aerotech
have sent responses to the US DOT requesting that the Special Permit, DOT
– SP 7887 not be terminated. And we are asking re-shippers of
our products to send responses to DOT as well as this will impact their
shipments. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>As a supplier of model rocket products, you too have an
interest in the future of DOT-SP 7887. Termination of the Special Permit
may have a very negative and long-term impact on our hobby. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>If you believe as we do, that termination of the Special
Permit is not warranted, we ask you to send an email or letter via email
supporting our requests to keep the Special Permit in place and to protest its
termination. The email or letter or both should be sent to DOT as soon as
possible and preferably prior to October 2, 2011. To assist you, a sample
letter is enclosed that you may customize. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The email address to which emails and letters should be sent
is: <a href="mailto:specialpermits@dot.gov">specialpermits@dot.gov</a>
Please use “DOT-SP 7887 Show Cause Response” as the email
subject. To assist us, please bcc <a href="mailto:mroberts@centurims.com">mroberts@centurims.com</a>
or one of the other engine manufacturers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>As you will note in Estes’ response to the Show Cause
letter, we intend to petition for permanent relief. If we are to succeed
we will need the support of the industry and consumers alike.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Therefore we again ask for your support and action on this
important issue. <i>Thank you. We will keep you up-dated!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Rage Italic"'>Mary
Roberts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Mary Roberts <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Technical Services<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Copies of the Special Permit, Show Cause Letter,
Estes’ Response and Sample Letter are attached. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
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<br><br><font SIZE="2" color="#000000">____________________________________________________________</font><br><a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3142/4e84de362b7f68ba418st05duc" target=_blank><font face="Arial"><font color="#004080" size="3"><b>60-Year-Old Mom Looks 27</b></font><br><font color="#000000" size="2">Mom Reveals Free Wrinkle Trick That Has Angered Doctors!<br></a><a style="COLOR: #000000" href="http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3142/4e84de362b7f68ba418st05duc" target=_blank>ConsumerLifestyles.org</a></font></font>