Flares

[RobertoDuran121]

What color flare is not a sign of distress.I know red flares are considered a distress signal and will end with emergency services after you.What colors are legal and what is the composition to make a flare of that color.

[pyrojig]

Id suggest green for one, and white for another.. just a opinion

[RobertoDuran121]

Thanks I just wanted to know so when I get to making some rockets with flares ill know what I should use.I read somewhere that white is used in practices and should not attract attention.

 

Will this produce a white flare?Potassium nitrate, aluminum powder, sulfur all mixed together and bound with mineral oil and pressed in a cart tube

Edited August 6, 2013 by RobertoDuran121

[FlaMtnBkr]

Red and blue are reserved for emergency vehicles here in Florida. I know blue can get you a ticket on a vehicle but not sure about red. However, a flare is quite different than a vehicle light and I can't imagine attracting attention with a blue flare. I'm not sure I would expect much from a handheld red flare either but better not use it to play it safe. Now a red aerial flare I think would definitely attract attention and is the only color I've seen for that purpose. I guess it depends where you are using it and if it is hand held or not.

 

Well, that was a lot of rambling.

 

Depending on your aluminum, your formula could be considered a flash powder. I would use a sphserical aluminum and more fuel, less oxidizer. Maybe start with 50% KNO3 and adjust from there for burn speed. There are probably some flare formulas around or try a lance or port fire formula for good, slow burning colors.

[taiwanluthiers]

Barium nitrate and magnalium makes VERY bright white.

[Arthur]

The rules may also vary with proximity to the coast. International marine distress uses red flares orange smoke and white starshells. wherever the Coastguard would SEE

[boule]

International marine distress uses red flares orange smoke and white starshells.

 

Sorry but white starshells or flares are used for either signalling position, grabbing attention to following signal (same as a maroon) or for illumination. You would need to fire three a minute or one a second to indicate distress.

If you want to use a flare without getting into trouble from the authorities, make sure you have a reason for signaling and use it in the intended manner - like burning off a white flare in bad visibility or, generally speaking, just a few miles away from where it would count as a distress signal. A red rocket on the coastline will get attention, a red rocket on July 4th inland...... who cares.

Edited August 6, 2013 by boule