Team of 2 · Manual flight, portfolio, and interview
Drone Challenge (UAV)
You and a partner will fly a drone through humanitarian-aid missions.
What you make or do
- Prepare and test a commercially purchased or team-built drone that meets the event specifications.
- Create a printed portfolio explaining problems related to humanitarian aid and rescue, up to three ways drones could help, your research sources, and work log.
This year’s challenge
Operation Lifeline focuses on humanitarian aid after a disaster. Missions involve precision landings, moving a relief marker, containing lightweight debris, and navigating damaged access routes.
How the competition works
Before the event
Prepare the drone, practice flying the current missions, and complete the research portfolio. Bring the drone, portfolio, safety glasses, and safety vests.
First round
After orientation and safety checks, complete three one-minute manual flight attempts. Both teammates must pilot at least once; the highest-ranking flight entries then have their portfolios judged.
If you advance
Semifinalist teams take part in a ten-minute interview about drone capabilities and their proposed uses.
Know before you choose: One teammate pilots while the other spots. The official mission packet contains conflicting point values, so confirm scoring with your teacher before making a practice score sheet.
How your work is scored
Flight performance, the research portfolio, and the semifinal interview contribute to the event. Read the current mission packet with the guide because annual scoring details differ.
Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download 2027-ms-drone-theme.pdf
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 161–169; 2027 mission packet pp. 1–11. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
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