Student UAV Competitions

[danstah]

What competitions are out there for uav projects done by students?

[Magician]

danstah,

There are a few student contests out there.

One is the AUVSI Student Competition (http://uav.navair.navy.mil/seafarers)

Another is the International Aerial Robotics Competition (http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/AUVS/IARCLaunchPoint.html)

Both of the above require some autonomous operation. There is also the AIAA Design/Build/Fly contest (http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/aiaadbf/) that is more of a vehicle design competition with no autonomy needed.

Hope this help.

Chris

[Tom Harper]

danstah,

We are trying to set up something at our New Mexico Tech flying field. It is a slow process.

Our advantage here is that we have the space to do long distance missions without overflying inhabited areas.

Tom

[typicalaimster]

Hmm to bad High Schools can't enter the AIAA.. I'd have my second year Aerospace kids join in.

[Magician]

Hmm to bad High Schools can't enter the AIAA.. I'd have my second year Aerospace kids join in.

Yeah, it would be nice to have a contest for High School folks interested in Aero. We originally thought about having the AIAA contest open to HS and Individuals on a participation basis but not eligible for the awards. However, it got so popular so quickly that we have our hands full just keeping the 50 college teams in line.

BTW, what high school are you working with that has an Aerospace club? Sounds like a great opportunity for exposing the next generation to model aviation/aeronautical engineering.

Chris

[typicalaimster]

Westfields HS in Fairfax County VA actually has a 1st and 2nd year course. The 1st year students learn basic Aerospace. The 2nd year experiences hands on building of a model airplane. Their end of year grade is based off of craftsmanship, group participation, and success of flight. I'm a member of Northern Va Radio Control who 'adopted' their school. This year I was thinking about engaging them in more UAV/FPV like equipment. Allowing them to plot courses and flying waypoints..

Last years program was such a huge success. The instructor is Chuck Cowell.

[danstrider]

I would highly recommend the AUVSI Student UAV Competition, even for the younger crowd. The CD has been looking to have a high school team and for what it's worth, the past two years have been so well sponsored that all the teams were given back their entry fee as a way of encouraging them to come back next year. Of course that could change, but two years is a good trend.

Here is info of the team I have been with for several years:
http://art1.mae.ncsu.edu/index.php
http://art1.mae.ncsu.edu/twiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome

Dan

[zlite]

I've been talking with NASA Ames about running one for High School students (and below) here in the SF Bay Area in Oct 08. We set up DIYdrones.com as the resource for UAV reference platforms for that student UAV contest.