MachFest
A full day of high-power flying under big prairie skies.
MachFest 2025
See what you're missing
Big motors, long trails and a field full of people who love this as much as you do.
Your $35 range pass
What you get
Your pass helps cover the site rental and keeps the club's pads, rails and launch gear in good shape.
The full range
Pads and rails for everything from model rockets to M motors, with launch controllers provided.
A safe range
RSOs check every rocket and an LCO runs the range all day.
Help when you need it
Experienced flyers on hand for certification attempts, first high-power flights or a second opinion.
Bring the family
Spectators are welcome. Kids love watching the big ones go.
Launch day
How the day runs
- 8:00 AMGates open · setup
Come early and help set up the range. Many hands make it quick.
- 9:00 AMFlyers meeting
Sharp. Range rules, the waiver and the day's plan. Every flyer must attend.
- After the meetingRange opens
Check in, get your rocket inspected and fly when you're ready. Rockets go all day.
- End of dayPack up together
Stick around to help tear down. It's the best time to swap flight stories.
Before you go
Fly ready
What you'll need
- A valid CAR/ACF membership card to fly high-power. Join CAR/ACF
- Certification for the motor you fly. Certification attempts are welcome.
- Planning a Level 4 or a flight over 23,000 ft? Contact the launch director well ahead. These need a Transport Canada flight application.
- Certified motors only, and every rocket is inspected before it flies.
What to bring
- Food and plenty of water. There are no services on site.
- Lawn chairs, sunscreen and a hat.
- Warm layers. Prairie springs change fast.
- A camera for the big ones.
- Dogs on a leash, please. No alcohol.
There's a porta-potty on site.
Registration
Register & pay
$35 range pass for flyers. Register and pay securely through Zeffy below. You'll get a confirmation email, and GPS coordinates and a field map closer to launch day.
Form not loading? Open registration in a new tab.
Weather
If we have to scrub
Prairie weather doesn't always cooperate. Here's exactly what happens.
- The call by 8 PM
The launch director decides by 8:00 PM the night before and posts it on Facebook and this site. Registered flyers also get an email.
- Rain date
A backup day is announced with the main date. Your registration carries over automatically.
- Both days scrubbed
Pick a full refund or a credit toward the next club launch.
- You can't make it
Full refund up to 7 days before. After that, a credit toward a future launch.
- Once the range opens
No refunds if the weather turns partway through the day.
Partners
Sponsor MachFest
Put your business in front of rocketeers from Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon and beyond, and help keep the range running.
- Your logo on this page
- A shout-out at the flyers meeting
- Posts on the club's Facebook
- Your banner at the range
To sponsor, email the launch director:
hpr-manager@calgaryrocketry.org
Getting there
The site
MachFest is usually held at our Hanna site, about 3 km west of Spondin, Alberta. The exact location is confirmed when the date is set, and GPS coordinates and a field map are sent after you register.
Directions & site infoQuestions
Talk to us
Email the launch director. You can also RSVP this way.
hpr-manager@calgaryrocketry.org
Check the club's Facebook page on launch week for go / no-go updates.