Careers in drones and drone technology are growing rapidly, and students with early and in-depth experience with drones will have a distinct advantage in future careers that rely on the technology.  

The REC Foundation Aerial Drone Competition prepares our youth for these vocations now and in the future by strengthening skills they will rely on, both in the field and around the workplace. Through its uniquely engaging combination of teamwork, problem-solving and communication, the Aerial Drone Competition teaches students these skills all while having fun!

What is the Aerial Drone Competition?

Supported by the REC Foundation, the Aerial Drone Competition offers an exciting educational drone sporting event that focuses on hands-on, student-centered learning. 

Teams learn about drones, flight principles, programming, documentation, and communication skills while expanding their understanding of and building interest in drone-related workforce and career opportunities. 

Teams compete in four missions, Teamwork, Piloting, Autonomous Flight, and Communications.

Teams 

What are the age requirements?

The Aerial Drone Competition is recommended for students ages 10 - 18. 

How many students are on a team? 

We recommend 3-5 students per team. Each team needs one drone.

Equipment 

What equipment do I need to compete in the Aerial Drone Competition? 

A drone, controller, a computer for programming, and spare parts (batteries, motors, propellers). 

What equipment do I need to set up a competition field?

There are two types of competition fields and each has a different layout: Piloting Teamwork Mission Field and Skills Mission Field.

You will need 

• Field Element Kit(s) - $1000 USD(reused every year)

• Game Element Kit - $350 USD(changes each season)

• PVC Piping - approximately - $200 USD(most is reused every year)

What is included in the Field Element Kit?

Each Field Element Kit has enough hardware to set up 1 Teamwork Mission Field or 1 Skills Mission Field.  If you want to set up both at the same time, you will need 2 Field Element Kits.

• 3 Sets of Arch Gate Hardware

• 5 Fabric Arch Gates (2 Red, 2 Blue, 1 Screen)

• 2 Keyhole Gates (1 Yellow, 1  Green)

• 2 Landing Pads (1 Red, 1 Blue)

• 2 Small Cubes (1 Red, 1 Blue)

• 2 Large Cubes (1 Red, 1 Blue)

Does the field and game change each year? 

The competition elements (Arch Gates, Keyhole Gates, and Landing Pads) will be used every year. Each year we will reveal a new mission that will include different game elements; therefore, new game elements will need to be purchased each year by the team/organization. 

What is a competition like? 

Students participate in 4 missions at an Aerial Drone Competition:

1. Teamwork Mission: Two Drone Teams compete as an Alliance in 90-second Matches, working collaboratively to score points on a field approximately 20’x20’.

2. Autonomous Flight Skills Mission: A Drone is programmed by Students to operate entirely autonomously earning points to complete as tasks.  Each Team will be given the opportunity to have 2 five minute sessions at the field to complete up to three Autonomous Flight Skills Mission runs each session.

3. Piloting Skills Mission: A Drone is Piloted by Students to fly through an obstacle course.  Teams compete alone to score as many points as possible by flight through, under and around obstacles.  Each Mission is 60 seconds and Teams will have 2 opportunities at each competition. 

4. Communications Mission: During the Communications Mission, Teams will interview with judges to answer questions about their Team, Drone, programming, and competition logbook documentation.

Competitions typically take place on Saturdays and run from approximately 8am - 4pm.