How to File an
FAA COA Waiver
Step by Step

What Is a COA and Why Is It Required?

A Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) is the document issued by the FAA that allows rockets to operate in airspace that would otherwise be off-limits to objects that could interfere with aircraft. Under 14 CFR Part 101, any Class 2 rocket — one using H-class motors or above, or exceeding specific weight and propellant thresholds — requires a COA before it can legally fly.

The FAA's core concern is aircraft safety. A high-power rocket reaching 10,000 feet in a busy airspace corridor is a genuine collision risk. The COA process forces launch organizers to identify a specific geographic area, establish altitude and time limits, and coordinate with Air Traffic Control so that aircraft can be routed around the launch window. It's a safety and airspace management system, not a permit-for-permit's-sake bureaucratic hurdle.

There are two types of authorizations relevant to rocketry: a Waiver (FAA Form 7711-2, used for rocketry) and a COA (technically a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, often used interchangeably). In practice, model rocketry clubs almost always use the Waiver process. The term "COA" has become the generic term the hobby uses for both, and this guide follows that convention.

Before You Start the Application

Rushing into the FAA's online portal without preparation is the single most common reason applications get rejected or delayed. Before you touch the form, gather these items completely:

Required Information Checklist

• Launch site coordinates: Precise latitude and longitude of your launch pad location, ideally in decimal degrees to five decimal places (e.g., 32.72541° N, 97.28347° W). Use a GPS device or Google Earth to confirm — do not estimate from a paper map.
• Site elevation: Ground elevation of your launch pad in feet MSL (Mean Sea Level). Your GPS unit will give this, or you can look it up using the USGS National Map.
• Maximum altitude requested: The highest altitude your rockets will reach, in feet MSL (not AGL). Add your site elevation to your expected AGL ceiling to get this number. Most club waivers request 10,000–12,000 feet MSL; large launches with L and M motors may request higher.
• Geographic radius: The horizontal radius of your launch area in nautical miles. For most club launches, this is 1–2 nautical miles. You are responsible for all rockets remaining within this radius.
• Launch date(s) and times: Specific dates and hours of operation in UTC (Zulu time). The FAA operates on UTC; your local time conversion must be accurate.
• Organization information: Your club's name, the primary contact person's name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
• Responsible person: The individual who will serve as Range Safety Officer (RSO) and is legally responsible for conducting the launch under the waiver terms. This person's contact information goes on the form.
• Nearest airport: The identifier, name, and distance/direction of the nearest public-use airport to your launch site.

The Filing Timeline: Don't Miss the Deadline

The FAA's stated processing time for rocketry waivers is 45 days. In practice, approvals for well-known, established launch sites can come faster — sometimes in two to three weeks. First-time applications for new sites routinely take the full 45 days or longer as the FAA coordinates with the relevant Air Traffic facility.

Use our COA Timeline Calculator to determine your specific submission deadline based on your launch date. The practical rule of thumb: submit no fewer than 60 days before your launch date. For first-time applications at a new site, 90 days is safer. Applications submitted fewer than 45 days before a launch will almost certainly not be processed in time, and the FAA will not expedite based on your club's schedule.

Step-by-Step: Filing FAA Form 7711-2

The FAA's waiver application is submitted through the FAA's online Waiver Management System (WMS) at oeaaa.faa.gov. You will need to create an account the first time. Here is each section of the form, explained:

1. Create or log into your FAA account at oeaaa.faa.gov

   Navigate to "Special Use Airspace" → "Waiver" → "New Application." Your account email will be used for all correspondence regarding this application, including approval, requests for additional information, and the final waiver document. Use an email address that is actively monitored.

2. Select Waiver Type: "Public Use — Model/High Power Rocketry"

   Choose this specific category. Selecting the wrong category (for example, "Unmanned Aircraft" or "Military Training") routes your application to the wrong FAA office and almost guarantees delays.

3. Enter the Responsible Organization and Contact Information

   This is your club name and the name of the individual who will serve as the Range Safety Officer. The RSO named here is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with waiver conditions on launch day. Their phone number must be reachable during all launch operations — the FAA (and any ATC facility in the area) may need to contact them if an aircraft conflict arises.

4. Enter Launch Site Location Data

   Input your site coordinates in decimal degrees. Many applications are rejected or delayed because coordinates were entered in degrees-minutes-seconds format when the form expected decimal degrees, or because a digit was transposed. Double-check your coordinates against a satellite image before submitting — the FAA will plot your site on a sectional chart and may flag it if the location appears inconsistent with what you described in the narrative.

5. Define the Airspace Dimensions

   Enter the radius (in nautical miles) and altitude ceiling (in feet MSL) for your waiver. Be honest here — requesting too little altitude and then launching higher is a serious violation. Request what you actually need, with a reasonable margin. The FAA will verify your request against the existing airspace structure in that area. Sites near Victor airways, Class E airspace extensions, or published instrument approaches may receive reduced altitude ceilings.

6. Enter Launch Dates and Times (in UTC)

   Enter your launch window in UTC. Convert your local time using the correct offset for your time zone and whether daylight saving time is in effect. A common mistake: submitting with standard time offsets during DST, which shifts your actual launch window by an hour from what the FAA approved. Example: a launch running 9am–5pm Central Daylight Time is 14:00–22:00 UTC, not 15:00–23:00 UTC (which would be Central Standard Time).

7. Complete the Nearest Airport Section

   Identify the nearest public-use airport by its ICAO identifier (e.g., KDFW for Dallas/Fort Worth). State the distance and magnetic bearing from that airport to your launch site. The FAA uses this to identify which Air Traffic facility will be notified of your launch operations. If you're within 5 nautical miles of an airport with a control tower, your application will require coordination with that tower before approval.

8. Write the Narrative Description

   This is a free-text field where you describe your launch operation. Be specific and professional. Include: the nature of the event (club launch, NAR sanctioned, Tripoli sanctioned, or both), typical rocket sizes and motor classes, the experience level of participants, your RSO qualifications, and any safety measures you're implementing. A well-written narrative shows the FAA you understand airspace safety. A one-sentence narrative like "We want to fly rockets" is a red flag that generates a follow-up information request.

9. Attach Supporting Documentation

   Attach a topographic or satellite map clearly marking your launch site, the requested radius circle, the nearest airport, and any airspace features. A PDF created from Google Earth with the site pinned and labeled is standard practice. Some FAA offices also like to see your club's current NAR or Tripoli sanction letter, which verifies you're operating under an established safety program. This is not always required but can speed processing for first-time applicants.

10. Submit and Record Your Application Number

    After submission, you'll receive an application number. Save it. This is your reference for all follow-up correspondence. Track your application status in the WMS portal — some applications require a response from the relevant Air Traffic facility before the FAA can issue the waiver, and that coordination step can add 2–3 weeks to processing time.

After Your Waiver Is Approved

When approved, your waiver will arrive as a PDF document. Read every word of it before your launch. The waiver will specify exact hours of operation, altitude limits, geographical boundaries, notification requirements, and any special conditions the FAA imposed. Common special conditions include:

• NOTAM requirement: You must file a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) through the FAA NOTAM system within a specific window before each launch day (typically 24–72 hours in advance). Failure to file the NOTAM means your waiver is technically not active for that day, even if the waiver document says you can fly.
• ATC notification: Some waivers require you to call the relevant ATC facility directly before operations begin and after operations cease each day. This number is specified in the waiver. Put it in your phone.
• Weather observation requirements: Some waivers require a certified weather observer or specific ceiling/visibility minimums before you can operate.
• Altitude reporting: High-power waivers occasionally require a spotter or electronic altimeter on any rocket expected to reach more than 50% of the approved altitude ceiling.

Renewing Your Waiver

Most rocketry waivers are issued for one year. Some established clubs with long track records have been granted multi-year waivers, but these are the exception. The renewal process is similar to the initial application — log back into the WMS, locate your existing waiver, and select "Renew." You will have the opportunity to update any site details, adjust your hours or altitude request, and update the RSO contact information.

A critical point many clubs miss: a renewal is not automatically approved. It goes through the same review process as the original. Submit renewals 60–90 days before expiration, just as you would an initial application.