What is the maximum altitude allowed for flying high power rockets if there is a cloud ceiling of 3,000 feet and an FAA waiver to 15,000 feet?

The maximum altitude allowed for flying high power rockets in this scenario is 3,000 feet, which corresponds to the cloud ceiling. In aviation, if there is a preset cloud ceiling, it typically establishes a limit on how high one can safely operate to maintain safe visibility and avoid hazardous conditions associated with flying into clouds.

Even though there is an FAA waiver allowing flights to 15,000 feet, that waiver would only come into effect under conditions where it is safe to do so, meaning pilots must still adhere to the existing environmental limitations, such as the cloud ceiling height. Therefore, the correct altitude for launching high power rockets is limited by the lower of the two constraints, which, in this case, is the 3,000 feet established by the cloud ceiling. This prioritization ensures the safety of operations in the proximity of clouds.