Welcome to International Rocket Week — the annual rocketry event held in Scotland since the first Scottish Rocket Weekend in August 1986.

IRW is organised and hosted by the Scottish Aeronautics & Rocketry Association (SARA), in association with STAAR Research. SARA is affiliated to the UK Rocketry Association (UKRA) and the British Model Flying Association (BMFA).

The annual International Rocket Week is an event for Model, High Power, and Amateur rocketry — building, flying, discussing, enjoying — for and by rocketeers and rocketry followers of all ages. The IRW encompasses Open, Competition, and Experimental/Research flying.

What IRW offers

• 8 days of eclectic Open, Experimental/Research, and Competition rocket building and flying, where veteran rocketeers boost beginners
• One of the UK’s best and most scenic launch sites, accommodating up to Level 3 and Large Rocket flights to 16,000 ft (4,876 m) AMSL
• UKRA Level 1, 2 & 3 Range Safety Officers
• Space and time for UKRA Model Achievement Programme, and Level 1, 2 & 3 work and attainments
• Fully furnished workshop space at Base Camp
• Rockets and Things shop (prop. Malcolm Jennings) at Base Camp
• Wizard Rockets shop also in attendance
• Proximity to Paisley, Johnstone, and Glasgow for travel and amenities
• We always have fun.

Rockets and Things (prop. Malcolm Jennings) will be at IRW from Wednesday, arriving late Tuesday evening. Please note: Malcolm will not be running tabs at IRW this year — all items must be paid for at the time of purchase.

Wizard Rockets (props. Stuart Livings & Naomi Mildenhall) will also be in attendance.

Getting to IRW

Lapwing Lodge Base Camp is 10 minutes’ drive from Glasgow Airport, Paisley Railway Station, and the M8 motorway. The flying site at Fairlie Moor is 16 miles (25.6 km) south-west of Base Camp.

A note from John Bonsor

The ethos of the IRW is to celebrate the fellowship of rocketry, and for that reason every rocket flight at the event matters. Every flight is someone’s run into rocket time, where ten seconds can encompass a whole mission, soaring in spirit with the Eagle’s flight to the Sea of Tranquillity fifty-seven summers ago.

So, fly high, fly safe, and have fun!

John Bonsor, for the IRW Organising Committee (Secretary & Co-ordinator).