[IYAS9YAS]

Here's a quick question for model rocketeers. Most cities, and possibly even states, ban bottle rockets, but allow model/sport rockets. Why the difference? Compare a bottle rocket with a model rocket using a pre-packaged Estes-type motor. Both have a launch phase and both have a small explosive to pop the chute/recovery mechanism (not all model rocket engines have the recovery charge, but most do).

Does this fellow's re-do on the legal model rocket engine turn it into an illegal bottle rocket? I'm guessing the skewer is the launch rail, not attached to the rocket motor itself, but I'm not sure based on the original post.

[IYAS9YAS]

Whoops. This “both have a small explosive to pop the chute/recovery mechanism” should be “both have a small explosive - the bottle rocket for oohs and ahhs - and the model rocket to pop the recovery mechanism.”

[AceMineral]

Model rocketry has a defined safety code that requires a safe recovery of the rocket. Also, you are not to have an on board explosive device not associated with recovering the model. The engines also are designed and tested to work within defined parameters.