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Typically held on the third weekend of each month. These are our biggest launches. Sport launches are held under the Model Rocket, Radio Control Rocket Glider, and High Power Codes of the National Association of Rocketry. The launches usually start around 9:00am or whenever the equipment is set up. The sport launches held during the nice weather months of the year (March through September) are usually two-day events. You are welcome to come either day, both days, or camp out at the launch site. We request that everyone helps set up and/or take down the range when it's time to.

Basic Procedure for flying at UROC Sport Launch

After you’ve signed in and your range fees are paid, you are ready to fly.

1. Prepare rocket for flight.Before you leave your prep area, please make sure you have everything you need. Do not load igniters into the motor if the motor is G or larger. Make sure all electronically activated ejection charges are safe and not connected to a power source. Have all the tape, tools and other things that you will need to load the rocket on the pad.
2. Fill out your flight card.Every flight requires a flight card. Fill out all information. Parents, assist your children in completely filling out the flight cards. The RSO and LCO will use the information on this card to determine the safety of the flight. They may opt to cancel the flight if they do not feel they have enough information. First flights of new designs, or any flight that seems to be marginal should be marked as “Heads Up”.If you are making a high power certification flight, be sure to note this.
3. Please be aware that our waiver is for 10,000ft. above ground level. Keep your rocket flights under this limit. If the RSO or LCO suspect that the rocket may exceed this limit, be prepared to show some proof that the rocket will not exceed this altitude in flight.
4. Take Rocket to RSO for inspection. Every rocket needs to be inspected. The RSO will check the rocket and may ask you some questions about the flight, be prepared to give complete answers. The RSO’s entire concern is for the safety of the people attending the launch, please help them do their job. If the RSO rejects the flight, take it gracefully. He or she had a good reason to do this. Ask what changes might be made to make the flight seem safer to them.
5. Take rocket to Pad Manager for pad assignment.The Pad Manager will be right next to the RSO. The Pad Manager will need to know what size launch rod or rail you need. Please have this information handy. Most small Estes rockets take a 1/8” rod, while those designed for D power will often require a 3/16” rod. F through G rockets will almost certainly need a ¼” rod minimum.
6. Load rocket on assigned pad. If you have any difficulty with the pad, ask the Pad Manager or one of the Range Assistants for help. That’s what they’re there for. Make sure the rocket is completely ready for flight before you attach the clips from the launch control system to you igniter. This should be your very last step. It is always a good idea to touch the igniters together before you attach them. If you see a spark, or hear any tones, don’t hook the clips to your igniter, but alert the Pad Manager, or one of the Range Assistants. After everything is hooked up, check continuity.
7. Retire behind the flight line and wait for your flight. When flights are occurring, listen for calls of “Heads Up” this means there is a condition in the air that demands your attention. Look up and make sure you are safe. Certain flights will be declared “Heads Up” flights. When the LCO says a flight is “Heads Up” get out of your chair and into a place where you can observe the flight.
8. Rockets in the spectator area. From time to time rockets may land in the spectator area. If this happens do not catch the rocket and don’t let your children attempt to catch the rocket.Unless the rocket is yours, leave it alone and make sure children near the rocket leave it alone as well.
9. Only enter the range when it has been declared open.You are not allowed onto the range until the LCO declared “Range Open” for the side you wish to enter. Visually track your rocket all the way to the ground and make note of landmarks near, and beyond the landing spot.Once the range is open, you are free to enter the range and retrieve your rocket. Parents, please make sure your kids don’t run out onto the closed range when their rocket lands (it’s really hard for them to wait). When returning with your rocket, walk well around the range.If you walk too near the pads, the LCO will have to cease flight operations while you are there.
10. Misfire procedure. If your rocket misfires (motor fails to ignite) you will be asked to “recycle” your rocket. Any time we have a line waiting for pads, you will be asked to remove your rocket from the pad and retrieve your flight card. You will not have the option of just checking things and trying it again because someone else is waiting for that pad. You will need to get the rocket ready for flight again and take it and the flight card back to the RSO for inspection. At the option of the LCO, if there is no line, you may be allowed to simply install a new igniter and retain the pad your on, but this will only happen when there is no one waiting for a pad.
11. Rocket Recovery: Lost and Found.While you are out recovering your rocket, you may happen upon rockets that belong to other people.If you see someone else’s rocket, look around and see if someone else is in your vicinity looking for the rocket. If so, leave it alone and try to get their attention. If there is no one around looking for the rocket, you may consider bringing it back to the range. Be cautious, high power rockets may have un-fired recovery charges.Smaller rockets are usually safe to pick up and bring back.If you bring back a rocket you found, take it to the RSO. Also, if you cannot find your rocket, you may wish to check at the RSO table, someone may have found it for you.
12. First Aid. UROC has a First Aid tent and a rather well equipped first aid kit, so you if require medical assistance, we can help. If you experience a medical emergency of any kind, contact the First Aid tent. We have emergency medical people on site, and we can contact an ambulance in Tooele.
13. Fire. We have fire fighting equipment on hand. If you see a fire, bring it to the attention of the LCO so the fire can be extinguished. UROC does not launch during extreme fire danger days, but there is always a change that a fire might occur.
14. Pets and Children. Pets must be on a leash at all times. Children should remain under the close supervision of an adult.Do not allow children to play between the flight line and the first row of tents of vehicles. This is a safety zone and everyone in this zone should be paying attention to the launches.
15. Off Road Vehicles.Off road vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering the area between the flight line and the first row of cars or tents.Operate off road vehicles in a responsible manner, please. While riding in the parking area, or anywhere near the flight line, drive slow as there are children present.People looking up and tracking their rockets cannot avoid collisions with off road vehicles, so it is the responsibility of the vehicle driver to avoid them.
16. Toilet Facilities.We provide toilet facilities for those attending the launch and these are not free (or cheap).We have a Potty Fund and we encourage everyone to donate generously to the fund. The toilets are for human waste ONLY.Do not throw garbage into the toilet.
17. Garbage.UROC has free garbage bags available.Please use them. Enquire at the registration table.
18. Camping.Camping is free at the Pony Express Test Range. Please be careful with all fires, dig a good pit and keep it safe.

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.