UAV Competition with Prize Money

[RG2007]

A UAV competiton will be held in Australia during September 2007, very good prize money is available, please see; http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/
for details.
Regards,
RG

[Griffo]

I've been watching this one closely.

I'd love to enter but they've indicated that it's aimed at team entries rather than individuals and I don't have any team members!

[Gary Mortimer]

Not even any friends?? To pretend ;-)

[vector_vortex]

Wow, what a awesome idea. I would love to be involved with this, though with my current School commitments this could be a bit tough. Come to think of it my final year electronic engineering project would be ideal for this project. Some serious cash is required though, Has anyone read the rules -5 points for every $100,000 over $200,000 ugh! outta my budget. Still if anyone is looking for team members and is looking for electronics guys give me a PM.

Joel

Melbourne, Australia

[ios]

Hi Joel !

I'm also from Melbourne. I had a look at the uav challange website - which looked very interesting and I wouldn't mind taking part in it either. I read your comments, and I thought maybe we could look into forming a team here in melbourne. I havn't collected my thoughts on what is required yet, but if your interested I'd be happy to discuss it with you. (PM me)

if others located overseas on the rcgroups forum are interested in perticipating, that would be great too. We could use the technical assistence of people such as MX, Eladiomf and other. Others may be able to contribute in their own way (i.e. technical information, design of systems, fabrication of systems, financial support, etc.)

I'm thinking that one of the issues on peoples minds might be the prize money (and who would get it), so I think if this was to go ahead, we could treat it like a business/project venture - Capitalise by selling shares (of a fixed value) to those we want to participate (which would help to fund the project) and at the end of the challenge/project we would liquidate and pay out dividends to the shareholders, proportional to the shares that thay purchased - of course thats if we could win the chalange !!! This way people can "buy-in" into the group, becoming a shareholder with a voting right, which thay could use when group descisions are made... and having a stake in the project...

I donno,... I'm just think out loud - but it seems like a great oppertunity for all of us to be involved in something really interesting - let me know your thoughts

[Gary Mortimer]

I used to live in Melbourne (Ivanhoe)

I would happily be your overseas team member with no clue but an ability to make tea and coffee.

G

[Griffo]

I used to live in Melbourne (Ivanhoe)

I would happily be your overseas team member with no clue but an ability to make tea and coffee.

G

LOL, put me down for a flat white G ;).

Not even any friends?? To pretend ;-)

My friends are reeeeally bad liars ;).

I'd definately be keen on putting a team together. However I think the biggest concern would be funding. I don't have many $'s to my name at the moment and I'd imagine there would be a significant outlay required for electronics. I'd be happy to put in the hours though!

[E.N.]

Yeah, maybe we could organize a team here on RCG and each one is assigned a task and then all the fabricated parts are sent to Griffo and he can assemble them and compete. Just an idea.

edit: about the shares, maybe we could assign values to different tasks, and the one who completes/has the best idea gets that part of the project and the corresponding part of the prize (if we won ;) ).

Ian:cool:

[phubner]

This challenge is harder that you might think! I ran the numbers and just to fly 5 miles, search 2x2 sq miles (assuming 300' wide imaging from less than 400'alt) then fly 5 miles back, would mean flying 31 miles and searching for 20. Then add in the targeting and drop. You would have to maintain at least 40 mph for the duration to meet the 1 hour timelimit. Hmm maybe not as fast as I thought...

Of course I could be the lucky one and find the target in the first mile!

Lastly - the Flight termination rule is nasty : cut throttle, full up elevator, full right rudder, full up left aileron. Might as well say "Initiate autodestruct: Kirk,One-One-A"
Terminate means terminate! Of course you loose all points if you have to terminate anyway, so I think I'd just land!

Last day to register is March 29
Paul

[Kalyptos]

Hi Guys,

I am a Full Time GIS Student at QUT (Where the Event is being coordinated from ), and located here in Brisbane, I am a bit of a UAV Fan, looking at going the FMA/WPS/RPAC route, not a programmer and only a novice flyer, but I am on-site. Let me know if I can help with anything.

[RG2007]

For those interested specifically about the 2007 UAV Outback Challenge, and autonomous systems in general, a designated forum has been set up here;
http://www.unsysinst.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=55

[wac]

i would like to get in on a team.. I believe i can build a system that can do the job

Pm me

[skymind]

I would like to get in on a privateer team. I have a practical entry that has a number of serious sales arguments for it's configuration, it makes sense. Any such team would have to be rooted in OzLand.

[Mark Harris]

I'd be looking for perhaps one or two people based in Perth. We have almost all electronics and systems required. Would be great if you attended Murdoch Uni or a uni that would give funding (for better equipment).

Please PM me.

- Mark

[Mark Harris]

Nevermind.. too late to apply for a new team. Anyone up for next year instead?

[stingrayOZ]

Im definately interested. Have a bit of a team here in Sydney. Maybe try out for next year.

[Crash Pilot]

Mark

Definately count me in.

Crash Pilot

[adrian222]

G'day

I am interested as I think I can supply the plane and test area.

Test Area.

I live in northwest of nsw 20ks south of moree on a grazing property which is 6000acres and is perfectly flat with not a great deal of trees.
I have a runway out the front of my house which can take big planes.
This area is perfect for UAV testing.

Planes,

I build big spads at around 8ft wingspan powered by ryobi whipper snipper engines 30cc These planes would be good for UAV as they are cheap to build.
I have a 8ft highwing which I use for Ap the airframe and engine cost $80.
So it would not matter if you trashed a couple testing.The highwing will fly for nearly an hour on 500ml of fuel and spads are tough.
(Will post some photos later)

The only thing up I am not up to speed is UAV. So if you can get a few commited people together I think you could have alot of fun.

Adrian.

[stingrayOZ]

Sounds very interesting..

[AXI Motor Models]

I am also interested. I was wondering how you would get to Kingaroy airport? Fly to Brisbane - then drive?

[Mark Harris]

I'm hoping to hire a plane and fly directly there with a friend and the UAV in the back ;)

[dydx]

I am also interested. I was wondering how you would get to Kingaroy airport? Fly to Brisbane - then drive?

Kingaroy is aprox 3hr drive from Brisbane. This would be the best option for international teams.

here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Kingaroy,+Queensland,+Australia&layer=&ie=UTF8&om=1&msid=109423871438562385911.000001120a3efa8c0a5d7&msa=0&z=17&ll=-26.498325,151.909912&spn=0.0065,0.010042&t=k&iwloc=addr)
This is the model aeroclub at Kingaroy.

Flight termination has been an important aspect of QUT research for a long time. In fact CASA approval was subject to this criteria. I recommend that teams dedicate one member to analyzing the safety requirements of the competition and ensuring that the design will get the green light from CASA. CASA would much rather your UAV plummet safely into the dirt than hit someones house or cow.

The implications would be enormous. Already there is some apprehension from Kingaroy residents about this competition. The organizers must have the Kill switch for your UAV. In a way, the fate of UAV development and research in Australia is riding on this competition being a success.

It is no coincidence that the competition requires you to complete a task that could be very useful for Australia. The whole idea is that $40K is a small price to pay for the research and development that is required to complete the search and rescue challenge. No company could develop a UAV for this price. Even if they went for a totally COTS solution.

[Mick Molloy]

Heres a google earth link for the UAV outback Challange.

[airmcn_3]

Hey guys, I am here in Brisbane for the Outback Challenge. We are Team Vortex. It would be great to get the chance to fly with some of you guys during my stay here, I will be moving permanently once the challenge is finished. I am currently a member at T-Mac aero club but it would be great to visit other fields. If anyone is interested in getting together some weekend send me a PM. This competition has become a very interesting venture! ;)
Chris Mc Nair

[pitts]

Maybe these guy's can supply and airframe...
http://www.cmsraceperformance.com.au/
I guess theres no harm in asking???

[Lucas!]

I am interested in the 2008 competition! Looks really interesting, I have an airframe that I believe would work. The money for the autopilot system is a bit of a problem though.

[lowdive]

looks like i'll be there this year :)

[dpplopez]

I'm also planning to attend the 2008 Challenge. However, the web page remains outdated, and I've received no reply to my questions. Does anyone know about dates for this year? Thanks!

[Mick Molloy]

It is on again!

The UAV Challenge – Outback Rescue will take place in the regional Queensland town of Kingaroy from 23-25 September 2008. Developed to promote the civil applications of UAVs, the Challenge is the only event of its kind in Australia and has proven a flying success with students and professional enthusiasts alike. Application forms will be available from 7 April 2008 – don’t miss out!

www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au

[lowdive]

yeah, site is slightly updated now but they're still working on updating for this year.

[Mick Molloy]

yeah, site is slightly updated now but they're still working on updating for this year.

Application forms will be available from 7 April 2008
Thats when the site will be updated for this years competition.