ROCK's launches are held at the Barr Street entrance of the Little Econ Trail in Oviedo on the first Saturday of each month. We usually begin about 9:30am and continue as long as attendees wish to continue launching rockets. We don't charge a launch fee, but we do have to collect $2 for each person over the age of six. This fee is required by the state for the use of the park. We don't not require participants to pay our club dues in order to participate, but we do appreciate your support of the club,
From Orlando: Head East on State Road 408 (East-West Expressway). Exit onto State Road 417 (Central Florida Greeneway) going North towards Sanford. After about 8 miles, exit onto Red Bug Lake Road. Go right (East) on Red Bug Lake Road. Continue straight on Red Bug as it becomes Mitchell Hammock Road. At the end of Mitchell Hammock, turn left on Lockwood Boulevard. Proceed to the end of Lockwood and make a right onto County Road 426. Look for the ROCK launch site on the right at Barr Street just after the "Trail Crossing" sign.From the East: Head West on State Road 46 (FL-46). Make a sharp left at County Rd 426 W. Go 4.5 miles then look for the ROCK launch site on the left at Barr Street just after the "Trail Crossing" sign. .
From the West: Head East (South) on US-441 (Orange Blossom Trail). Take the exit onto south FL-429 towards Orlando/Tampa. Stay on Florida 429 (toll road) for 10 miles. Take Exit 22 onto Florida's Turnpike toward Miami/Ocala. After two miles, take exit 265 to merge onto FL-408 East towards Orlando/Titusville. After 17 miles, stay to the left to enter Florida 417 (North). After 8.5 miles, Take Exit 41 and make a right onto Red Bug Lake Road. Continue straight on Red Bug as it becomes Mitchell Hammock Road. At the end of Mitchell Hammock, turn left on Lockwood Boulevard. Proceed to the end of Lockwood and make a right onto County Road 426. Look for the ROCK launch site on the right at Barr Street just after the "Trail Crossing" sign.
From the North: Head South on I-95. Take exit 260B to merge onto I-4 W towards Orlando. After 31 miles, take exit 101B onto FL-417 (toll) toward Orlando/Sanford. After about 12 miles, use Exit 44. Turn left at FL-419 (FL-434). After 2.3 miles, turn left toward County Rd 426. At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto County Rd 426. After 3 miles, look for the ROCK launch site on the right at Barr Street just after the "Trail Crossing" sign.
From the South: Head North on FL-417 (toll). Take exit 41 for Red Bug Lake Rd. Go right (East) on Red Bug Lake Road. Continue straight on Red Bug as it becomes Mitchell Hammock Road. At the end of Mitchell Hammock, turn left on Lockwood Boulevard. Proceed to the end of Lockwood and make a right onto County Road 426. Look for the ROCK launch site on the right at Barr Street just after the "Trail Crossing" sign.
Our next launch is December 7, 2024. The status is Go for Launch.
If you are unsure of the weather, please call our "Status Hotline" at (407) 588-7401 on the day of the launch to confirm the current launch status.
Launches are cancelled if bad weather is expected, for a high drought index (typically KBDI > 600) or prevailing conditions that would put the Little Big Econ State Forest property at risk from our activity.
The Little Big Econ State Forest authorities have granted us the opportunity to serve the local rocketry community by overseeing safe and responsible launch activities. LBESF reserves the right to limit the launching of model rockets outside of our assigned agreement with the State Forest. If you wish to launch model rockets of any type outside of our normal launch window, you must obtain specific permission from the Forest Ranger (407-971-3500) and follow their prescribed procedure for permission to launch on their property. A benefit of launching with ROCK is that we carry liability and property protection insurance for our NAR section activities. Our coverage does not extend to activity that is not authorized by our section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR).
ROCK is pleased to work with those needing assistance for a safe and fun launch experience. Please contact us if you have a need outside of our normal activity on the first Saturday of each month. Also note that other NAR sponsored clubs operate within Florida. Visit the RocketReviews.com rocketry club list to find nearby rocketry clubs wherever you live.
There are no restrooms at the launch site, but several restaurants and gas stations are located just a few miles away on Lockwood Blvd.
Because of the size of the field, we are limited to flying rockets with G motors or smaller and are limited to a maximum altitude of 2000 feet. Please note that "sparky" motors (such as the "Metalstorm" motors from Aerotech) may not be flown at ROCK launches.
Note: ROCK has special permission to use the Little Big Econ State Forest location for club launches once a month. Rocket launching is not permitted at the site at any other time without explicit permission from the Florida Department of Forestry. Please do not endanger our privilege of launching on the LBESF property by violating State Forest Policies.