Rocketry Experts & Clubs
Need A Helping Hand?
You can reach out to one of our fantastic rocketeers for mentoring and guidance. We also have university rocketry teams eager to support you – just let us know if you’re stuck, and we’ll do our best to match you with the right mentor!
Request a STEM Ambassador to help mentor your team
STEM Ambassadors are volunteers from all fields of STEM who volunteer their free time free of charge to inspire young people. If you are based in Herts, Beds, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire or Peterborough, you can request STEM Ambassador support for all kinds of activity to raise career aspirations and gain insight into the world of work. For instructions on how to request a STEM Ambassador, please click here.
Register interest for 2027!
Our experts
John Bonsor
Lifelong interest in spaceflight, rocketry, and astronomy. Over thirty years of practical, organisational, and operational experience with model and amateur rocketry in the UK. Rocket builder and flyer for hobby, research and educational purposes. Originator and organiser of the annual International Rocket Week held every August in Scotland. Secretary & Co-ordinator of the Scottish Aeronautics & Rocketry Association (SARA). Operator and provider of the Rockets To Go! workshop programme for schools and the public, run at numerous venues. Speaker on astronomy and astronautics to a wide range of audiences.
John Jacomb
Built and launched my first rocket over 30 years ago, member of the GB Space Modelling Team since 2005 as a competitor and in 2018, Team Manager. Awarded the inaugural BMFA Medal in 2016/17 and in 2018 the Frank Ehling Diploma for the promotion of the use of flying models. As a STEM Ambassador I also run a monthly flight club for youngsters at Stow Maries WW1 aerodrome. Western Front Association member and a keen angler.
David Tranter
David worked in the Nuclear Industry for over 35 years and was involved in Research & Development, Facility Management, Project Management and US/UK/F collaborative projects. Since retiring twenty years ago, he has variously run a project management consultancy, pursued various hobbies including travel, mountaineering and has a sixty year interest in model rocketry.
Test Your Rocket Out!
To ensure you receive the best result at the regional heats. We’re very lucky to have partnered with some excellent rocketry clubs throughout the UK who have kindly agreed to welcome you to test your rocket.
Attending local rocketry clubs is a great way to enhance your competitive edge as demonstrated by 2021 winners, Team Vesuvius:
“If you can, test your rocket as much as you can and fly your rocket before the qualifying round and make as much as your rocket adjustable… we found the easiest way was to go a rocketry club, we went to FOG Rocketry Club in Wales twice. The first time we just went and chatted to the members there, we got to see lots of rockets being launched which was fun and they gave us tips about our rocket and general things that we may not have thought of. We then went up a second time to do our qualifying launch.”
BMFA Insurance
It is mandatory that all teams entering UKROC obtain their own British Model Flying Association insurance in order to launch rockets at our regional, national and international events.
If you fail to obtain this insurance, you will not be able to launch your rockets at any of our events.
For full information and prices, please contact BMFA directly on +44 (0) 116 244 0028 / admin@bmfa.org
FINS Over Gwent (FOG)
Site Location: Redwick, Monmouthshire
FOG is a group of model rocket enthusiasts who meet every month near Redwick on Gwent levels. Their aim is to have fun designing, building, testing and flying model rockets and welcome people of all ages who want to try rocketry.
Mike Cocker of FOG said:
“As well as welcoming groups along to our monthly meetings, we have members who are happy to give theoretical and practical advice on the design, build and material procurement of the rockets. Last year we had the pleasure of helping Team Vesuvius who went on to win the 2021 final.”
Meetings are held the third Sunday of every month and you can contact them through their website or private Facebook group.
Midland Rocketry Club (MRC)
MRC’s philosophy is to fly rockets (lots of them) safely, in a friendly environment and to share a wealth of experience and knowledge with all flyers young or old.
Paul Carter of MRC said:
“We have mentored many teams, some of which made it to the UKROC finals and have placed 1st, 4th, 5th and 9th. The 2011 UK ROC winners flew at our site a number of times to validate their design. We can offer special discounts to UK ROC teams and we have vendors on site at our monthly launched. The UK ROC 2022 competition is now open, so what are you waiting for?!”
The club normally fly on the 2nd Sunday of each month and spectators and new members are always welcomed. You can contact MRC by emailing Paul (paul@rocketmotors.co.uk) or calling him on 07415 698420, or visiting their website or Facebook page
Ulster Rocketry
Site Location: Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, Downpatrick and Gortin, Omagh
Ulster Rocketry is a group of rocketeers from across Ireland that meet to build and fly rockets, and learn from the experience of others. We welcome people of all experience, age and rocket size!
“We’ve been privileged to fly in UKROC and also to mentor some teams which have went on to do very well. We’d love to have you come along to one of our events and are always open for a chat if you have questions or need a bit of help.”
Meetings vary based on interest, but on average we meet 3 times a year. You can contact Ulster Rocketry here or visit their website here.
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