Programme

All pyrotechnic rocket flying at IRW follows the UKRA Safety Code. The site ceiling is 16,000 feet (4,876 metres) AMSL, weather permitting.

Types of rockets

• Model Rockets — ½A to G motors, 0–160 Newton seconds (Ns) total impulse
• High Power Rockets — H to M motors, 160–10,240 Ns total impulse
• Large Rockets — N and above, 10,240+ Ns total impulse

Motors: Solid, Hybrid, or Liquid Propellants. Experimental/Research rockets are also welcome.

Competitions

Scale Contest — theme: Centenary Mars

On 23rd August 1924 — exactly 100 years before IRW 2024 — Mars made its closest approach to Earth since the 10th century. The theme for the 2025/26 IRW Scale Contest is Centenary Mars. Any Mars-themed rocket is welcome. Fictitious SF vehicles coming from or going to Mars are permitted, as are real vehicles. A safe flight is still required.

Entries are judged on: Construction, Reference, Detail, Painting, Accuracy, Ingenuity, Flight, and Own work. Numerical performance (altitude/flight time) does not count.

Boost/Rocket Glider Duration Contest

Models launched vertically on single or multistage propulsion (A–G total impulse) and glide-recovered. Timed from first movement to landing. Up to 3 flights — best individual flight counts.

Helicopter Recovery Duration Contest

Helicopter rockets ascend on rocket power and are recovered by autorotating blades deployed by the motor expulsion charge. A–G total impulse. Up to 3 flights — best flight counts.

Landers

Design and build a vehicle to land in a specified orientation and remain there after landing. A to G motors. Points awarded for ingenuity, interest level, and success in meeting the specified landing orientation. Extra points for carrying and recovering intact a delicate payload such as an unboiled hen’s egg.

Payload Contest

Launch and recover an unboiled hen’s egg or other delicate payload without the landing orientation constraints of the Landers contest.

Rocket flying rules

All pyrotechnic rocket flying at the IRW is conducted under the following rules:

• UKRA Safety Code — all flying conducted according to the UKRA Safety Code — ukra.org.uk/safety/
• Range Safety Officer — all flying under the authority of an RSO at the appropriate UKRA Level
• NOTAM and Launch Windows — all pyrotechnic flying operates under a NOTAM issued by the CAA in co-ordination with Glasgow Airport ATC. No launches permitted outside of Launch Windows or specified NOTAM hours
• BMFA membership — all UK pyrotechnic rocket flyers must hold valid BMFA Membership. Full and Temporary BMFA Membership can be purchased at the IRW. Overseas flyers are covered under the BMFA Overseas Visitor rule at no charge
• Explosives certificates — where required by UK law, flyers must have valid Explosives Certificates and RCA documents physically present at the event
• Experimental/Research rockets — details must be notified to the UKRA Safety & Technical Committee at least 30 days before the intended flight
• Large rockets — rockets over 10,240 Ns require UKRA Large Rocket Scheme approval and individual CAA Special Permission for each launch