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Pony Express Test Range (PETR) is the name of the location that the Utah Rocket Club uses for its primary launch site. The range is huge, treeless, and really a great place to fly rockets.

We are lucky enough to have a 10,000 ft. AGL waiver at this site. We maintain a lease on the area from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and an Airspace Waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The elevation of the launch site is 5300 feet above sea level and is very susceptible to thermals. It is therefore a great location for duration contest events.

The Pony Express Test Range is used with the permission of the US. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). We have a waiver in place at these launches from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that allows our members to fly high-powered rockets to altitudes as high as 10,000ft AGL. 

PETR launch events are insured by the National Association of Rocketry and/or the Tripoli Rocketry Association.

The Pony Express Test Range is a high desert environment. This means that the temperatures can vary from month to month, and even from hour to hour. Remember that during the day, the site can be very hot and at night, very cold. Always make sure to wear your sunscreen (We recommend SPF 45) even when it is not hot and bring LOTS of WATER.

We try to have at least one porta-potty unit onsite for each launch at the PETR but cannot always guarantee it. If expected turnout is going to be very small or questionable due to weather or other circumstance it may be decided to forgoe the cost of renting the porta-potty. It's important to remember that the nearest restroom facilities are at least a 15 minute drive away. You can This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   a day or two prior to the launch to find out if a Porta-Potty will be available or not.

The flying generally starts at around 9:00 am. The earlier the better. The amount of help that there is to set the range up directly affects how soon the flying can begin. The more help the better. Winds  usually start kicking up around noon and they can be bad enough to shut the launch down so it's best to plan ahead and have most of your prep work done early in the day.

Many of our sport launches also include night launches. This is for small G and under motors.  No waiver is in effect after dusk so no high altitude flights are allowed at night launches. If you are planning on attending the night launch you'll want to make sure you have your own flashlights because it gets very dark.

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The GPS Coordinates for the Pony Express Test Range are: North 40.21879 degrees, west 112.24618 degrees.

The waivers, land use permits, and section insurance are only in effect during our regularly scheduled events. Please note that UROC does not promote the use of our launch locations at any other times. The club's waiver, Special Recreational Permits, and Landowner insurance are not in force at any time other than during actual club events.

Typically, if a scheduled launch is cancelled due to poor weather conditions we will try to reschedule for the following weekend.

In order to fly mid or high power rockets at any UROC event, you must be able to provide proof of current membership in either the National Association of Rocketry and/or the Tripoli Rocketry Association. Addtionally, you must be certifed or performing a documented certification attempt for the appropriate level. For further information about certifications please contact either our NAR Advisor or our Tripoli Prefect.

Our Sport Launches are held under NAR or Tripoli rules and are for certified motors only.  Research Launches will be administered as a Tripoli Research launch with flyer-made propellants and motors as well as potentially some larger rockets. Flyers must be Tripoli members in order to fly at a Research launch.

This Really IS Rocket Science!

UROC makes every effort, as defined by the Tripoli Safety Code, the NAR Safety Code, NFPA 1122, NFPA 1127, and FAA FAR 101, to ensure the safety of all participants and nearby aviation traffic.  But rocketry is not a zero risk endeavor.  By participating in any Utah Rocket Club launch activity as either a flyer OR as a spectator, you are accepting the risks inherent to the hobby and you acknowledge that you assume full financial risk for participating or attending the event.

Avoid bringing pets to a launch. If you must bring them, they MUST be on a leash at all times. Fireworks, firearms, explosives, or illegal drugs are strictly forbidden. Alcohol use is restricted to the hours after flight operations have ceased for the day. We ask parents and caregivers to carefully consider whether it is appropriate to bring small children (or the old, infirm or disabled) to this event as some of the rockets are large and powerful enough that they could cause serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Attendees should be fully mobile and aware of their surroundings in the event it becomes necessary to move rapidly away from a falling or malfunctioning rocket.