S.W.A.R.M. is a chartered section of the National Association of Rocketry. We hold launches once a month at one of our three fields. Our main field can accommodate flights up to G-engine power, depending on the rocket and recovery device. We support:
We are open to members of all ages. Junior memberships for those 22 and under are free. Adult memberships are $20/year, which goes to maintaining equipment and running the club.
- sport flying for beginners and experienced rocketeers alike
- friendly competitions (like The Harvest Classic, Legends of Rocketry, Summer Showdown, Saucer S.W.A.R.M., and others)
- National Rocketry Competition (NRC) flights
- National Association of Rocketry Training for Excellence in Rocketry (NARTREK) flying
- our own S.T.A.G.E.R. (S.W.A.R.M. Tiered Achievement Goals for Excellence in Rocketry) programme
We are open to members of all ages. Junior memberships for those 22 and under are free. Adult memberships are $20/year, which goes to maintaining equipment and running the club.
What's New...
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Legends of Rocketry Hosts Brigden 4-H
This year's Legends of Rocketry event featured designs by G. Harry Stine. Christian Aldred was our winner, flying a Mark, Paradigm, and Flat Cat. For his efforts, Christian was rewarded with an Estes Antar kit, originally designed by G. Harry Stine.
We also hosted the Brigden 4-H group whose members launched Estes Generic E2X and Cosmic Cargo rockets on B and C engines. Two new club records were also set, with Chris Halinaty flying his QCR Helicopter for a duration of 65s on a C6-3 engine and his scratch built 5-Cluster H-Bomb on 5 B6-4 engines to 178m with 4 of the 5 engines lighting. |
Christian with his Antar and the inspirational Handbook of Model Rocketry.
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Chris' 5 B-engine cluster rocket.
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Paperpalooza on March 28, 2026
In addition to our regular sport launch and NRC events, March bring Paperpalooza to S.W.A.R.M.! Build a paper rocket and try flying it for Open Spot Landing, A Parachute Duration, and B Streamer Duration. Details here.
February 28th Launch at 10:00 AM
Today's launch was well attended--two regular S.W.A.R.M. members were joined by a father-son team from Tilbury and seven University of Toronto club members who were working on a dual-deploy F-engine rocket. Their lift-off was excellent, with a nice, straight boost; however, their rocket ended up lawn-darting. We are hoping to see them again next time.
We are a go for launch on Saturday, February 28! We will begin at 10:00 AM and might pack up at noon, unless we still have fliers left--in other words, get there early to ensure you get a chance to launch before we are done. The forecast is for 2C (feels like -3C) and winds between 20-30 km/h. Dress for the weather and try to prep your rockets beforehand as much as possible; DO NOT, however, insert igniters until you are at the launch pad on the field.
We are a go for launch on Saturday, February 28! We will begin at 10:00 AM and might pack up at noon, unless we still have fliers left--in other words, get there early to ensure you get a chance to launch before we are done. The forecast is for 2C (feels like -3C) and winds between 20-30 km/h. Dress for the weather and try to prep your rockets beforehand as much as possible; DO NOT, however, insert igniters until you are at the launch pad on the field.
2026 S.W.A.R.M. Calendar
S.W.A.R.M.'s 1000th Launch!
The Mammoth Model Missile Mash-up event included some amazing flights, including the 1000th flight at a S.W.A.R.M. event! It has taken eleven years to hit that number. Zach K. of the Lancer Launchers flew the second flight of the day with his Quest Screamin' Demon on a C6-5 to achieve this milestone feat. For his efforts, Zach received a vintage Edmonds Ecee rocket glider kit. Let's ramp it up and get in another 1000 launches before the end of the 20's!
S.W.A.R.M. Custom Garage
John Brohm, a founding S.W.A.R.M. member and Pittsburgh Space Command member, has written a beautiful article on his Estes EAC Firecat build. Check it out in the S.W.A.R.M. Custom Garage, along with some other great looking rockets.
Launch Info...
What We Do...
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S.W.A.R.M. is recognized with a Website Excellence Award from the NAR! Members, if you would like to contribute, you could:
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National Association of Rocketry
S.W.A.R.M. member Mark Halinaty pictured on the NAR website with his Mars Snooper from NARAM-60.
National Association of Rocketry Annual Events
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Most S.W.A.R.M. launches are National Rocket Contest (NRC) eligible. The 2025-26 NRC events are:
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FAI 1/2A Parachute Duration
FAI 1/2A Streamer Duration FAI 1/2A Helicopter Duration |
FAI A Rocket Glide Duration
C Eggloft Altitude A Altitude |
S.W.A.R.M. is currently in 12th place out of 22 sections in this year's NRC standings. Let's try to crack the top 10! Every NRC flight counts, so build a rocket and fly it at our next launch.
If you have never competed before, don't worry! We can provide you with a rocket kit and engines for your first NRC launch and advice you need--for free! Check out our NRC Starter Set for details.
The FAI events have some special requirements for body tube size. More information can be found in the FAI document. Stay tuned here for a simplified explanation of this year's NRC events, coming soon.
The FAI events have some special requirements for body tube size. More information can be found in the FAI document. Stay tuned here for a simplified explanation of this year's NRC events, coming soon.
