RT @DepOCDevOffDNW: Last night I visited 473 (Hartlepool) Squadron as Wing Development Officer. I interviewed a prospective CI who is new… (tw)

🚀DNW Cadets compete at UKROC 2025 National Final🚀 Three Royal Air Force Air Cadets teams proudly represented the organisation at the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) 2025 National Final held recently at BFMA Buckminster. Two teams from Durham/Northumberland Wing and one from London Wing earned their place amongst the UK’s elite by either winning their regional heats or securing top scores on the national merit list. Under blue skies and in soaring temperatures, the cadets faced a tough day of competition. Each team was challenged to launch a model rocket to a precise altitude of 790 feet, achieving a flight duration between 41 and 44 seconds—all while ensuring their delicate payload of two raw eggs landed safely, uncracked. Teams were scored based on how closely they met these targets, with points awarded for each foot and second above or below the ideal. The goal: a perfect score of zero. In addition to the launch, teams were assessed on a technical presentation delivered to a panel of industry experts. Cadets were quizzed on the engineering principles behind their rocket design, the development journey they had followed, and the scientific understanding that supported their choices around aerodynamics and propulsion. All three RAF Air Cadet teams did exceptionally well to reach the final. While the launch attempts by one Durham/Northumberland Wing team and the London Wing team encountered issues, Team Rocketeers from Durham/Northumberland Wing had a successful flight and secured a commendable 10th place overall. Warrant Officer Dan Rogerson-Parkin, mentor for the Durham/Northumberland Wing teams, commented: “I’m incredibly proud of every cadet who took part in this year’s UKROC—whether they made it to the national final or not, they’ve all achieved something remarkable. Many of them started out with no knowledge of model rocketry, and in just a few months, they’ve designed, built, tested and launched multiple rockets. Along the way, they’ve learnt from setbacks, refined their designs using simulations and real-world testing, and developed a solid understanding of aerodynamics and propulsion. It’s been a brilliant example of hands-on STEM learning in action, and I’d highly recommend the activity to other units. It’s also been fantastic to see both ATC and CCF (RAF) cadets from across the Wing coming together, collaborating, and sharing knowledge to achieve a common goal. That kind of teamwork and mutual support is exactly what the RAFAC is all about. My thanks also go to RAF Boulmer for their continued support, and to the North of England RFCA whose generous funding through the Cadet Forces Trust helped make this opportunity possible. Their backing ensured our teams had the resources they needed to participate fully and confidently on the national stage. I’m especially pleased that the cadets are now documenting their experiences to earn a Silver CREST Award—it’s a great way to recognise the hard work they’ve put in and the technical learning they’ve taken from the project.” UKROC continues to offer an inspiring introduction to aerospace engineering for young people across the UK. For RAFAC squadrons interested in launching their own model rocketry projects, guidance is available in ACTO 21 and its supporting documents. Pre-registration for UKROC 2026 is now open at ukroc.com—so why not aim high and get involved? (fb)