AIAA Foundation

A Design and Build competition for

High School and Undergraduate Students

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Contents

1 Mission Scenario ......................................................................................................... 1

2 Game Design ............................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Game Overview .................................................................................................. 2

2.2 Competition Classes ............................................................................................ 2

2.3 Target Coordinates: Teams using GPS Waypoints ............................................. 3

2.4 Target Coordinates: AR Tags ............................................................................. 3

2.5 Packages .............................................................................................................. 3

2.6 Package Delivery ................................................................................................ 4

2.7 “Successful Delivery” ......................................................................................... 4

3 Field Design ................................................................................................................ 5

3.1 Field Size ............................................................................................................ 5

3.2 Delivery Zones .................................................................................................... 5

3.2.1 Easy Delivery Zone ..................................................................................... 5

3.2.2 Medium Delivery Zone ............................................................................... 6

3.2.3 Hard Delivery Zone .................................................................................... 7

3.3 Obstacles ............................................................................................................. 7

3.4 Takeoff/Landing Zone ........................................................................................ 7

3.5 GPS Waypoint Markers ...................................................................................... 7

4 Scoring ........................................................................................................................ 9

4.1 Vehicle Performance Scoring ............................................................................. 9

4.1.1 Weight Delivered (W) ................................................................................. 9

4.1.2 Difficulty Multiplier (D) ............................................................................. 9

4.1.3 Delivery Accuracy (A) ................................................................................ 9

4.1.4 Delivery Time (t) ........................................................................................ 9

4.1.5 GPS-Aided vs. GPS-Denied Delivery (G) ................................................ 10

4.1.6 Final Vehicle Performance Scoring Formula ............................................ 10

4.2 Documentation and Design Scoring ................................................................. 10

4.2.1 Judge’s Choice: Hardware ........................................................................ 10

4.2.2 Judge’s Choice: Software.......................................................................... 10

4.2.3 Judge’s Choice: Safety Features ............................................................... 10

4.2.4 Paper/Presentation Quality ........................................................................ 10

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4.3 Overall Score .................................................................................................... 11

5 Safety Requirements ................................................................................................. 12

5.1 Geofence ........................................................................................................... 12

5.2 Preflight Inspection ........................................................................................... 12

5.3 Return to Launch Capability ............................................................................. 12

5.4 Manual (RC) Override ...................................................................................... 12

5.5 Takeoff/Landing Zones ..................................................................................... 12

5.6 Competition Area .............................................................................................. 12

5.7 Practice Area ..................................................................................................... 12

6 Vehicle Requirements ............................................................................................... 13

6.1 ................................................................................................................................. 13

6.1.1 Rookie Class ............................................................................................. 13

6.1.2 Intermediate Class ..................................................................................... 13

6.1.3 Unlimited Class ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

6.2 BOM Requirements .......................................................................................... 13

7 Flight rules ................................................................................................................ 14

7.1 Compliance with the FAA ................................................................................ 14

8 Documentation .......................................................................................................... 15

8.1 Team Documentation ........................................................................................ 15

8.1.1 Team Roster .............................................................................................. 15

8.1.2 Proof of Enrollment at an Academic Institution ....................................... 15

8.2 Vehicle Documentation .................................................................................... 15

8.2.1 Bill of Materials ........................................................................................ 15

8.2.2 Video Proof of Vehicle Performance ........................................................ 15

9 Preflight Safety and Technical Inspection ................................................................ 16

9.1 Safety Inspection Requirements........................................................................ 16

9.2 Technical Inspection ......................................................................................... 16

10 Competitor Pre-Flight Checklist ........................................................................... 17

11 Schedule ................................................................................................................ 19

12 Bill of Materials Form .......................................................................................... 20

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Figures and Tables

Figure 1. An example of an AR tag used for GPS-denied navigation. .............................. 3

Figure 2. Pictured here is a bird’s eye view of competition field. ...................................... 5

Figure 3. Orthographic view of the Easy delivery zone. .................................................... 6

Figure 4. Orthographic view of Medium delivery zone. ..................................................... 6

Figure 5. Orthographic view of the Hard delivery zone. .................................................... 7

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1 MISSION SCENARIO

It’s early September and the President of a major university has just met with the manager of the

university bookstore. It has not been a pleasant meeting. The President has told the manager that the

bookstore operation is the only negative aspect of Move-In Week. The university administration worries

that the bookstore presents a negative image to the parents and students, and it quickly erases all the

positive experiences created by the housing department, academic departments, registrar’s office, and

food services. This year, the lines of parents, students, and professors waiting to enter the bookstore were

so long that some people had to wait in the hot sun for 30 minutes or more.

The bookstore manager understands. After all, he was working in the store every day and dealt with the

hot and unhappy customers. His staff heard many complaints. Every year, just before the start of the fall

semester, the bookstore sells thousands of books, t-shirts, stationery supplies, and other items. Even

though the bookstore hires temporary workers, it still cannot stay ahead of the demand.

Before the start of the next fall semester, the bookstore manager wants to implement a new delivery

approach and turn his operations from a negative experience to a positive experience. To do this, the

manager has contacted the College of Engineering and requested immediate assistance.

The manager has asked the Dean of the College of Engineering to help him solve his problem. Initially,

the Dean was reluctant but then he saw an opportunity for many of his students in a variety of majors to

work together. The Dean also feels that the current senior students can design, develop, test, train the

staff, and implement a solution before they graduate in May.

The university bookstore already has an on-line ordering system. The students quickly decide that every

student and professor will order books, stationery supplies, t-shirts, sweat shirts, toiletries, bumper

stickers, license plate holders, etc. on-line. During the rush period just before the Fall Semester, the

bookstore will essentially be turned into a warehouse. The bookstore will provide each staffer with a

laptop. The staff person will:

Download an order

Fulfill the order by placing the items in a container

Print a receipt and include the receipt in the container

Seal the container

Apply a label with the recipient’s name and address

Move the container to a separate area designated for filled orders

The College of Engineering students must design a system that will deliver the filled orders to students

and professors. Most of the students and professors live near the university. Students live in:

Residence Halls located on campus

Town house developments, most within 1.5 miles of campus

Apartment complexes scattered around town

Single-family homes located around town

Most of the professors live in the more established neighborhoods where the single-family homes have

mature trees, lots of landscaping, and a few have a swimming pool.

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2 GAME DESIGN

2.1 Game Overview

PUNCH is a precision aerial package delivery competition with the goal of autonomously delivering

package(s) to specified targets on the playing field. Competitors will deliver as many packages in a single

flight as they are able. A timer will start and the vehicle will autonomously takeoff and start its package

delivery mission to specified target(s). During the delivery, vehicles must be capable of autonomously

recognizing the target, navigating to the target, avoiding various obstacles located on the field, dropping

the package off, and returning to the takeoff/landing area in the allotted time. Points will be awarded

based on delivery speed, weight delivered, delivery accuracy, and other objectives outlined in Section 4,

Scoring.

2.2 Competition Classes

PUNCH offers three levels of competition for students enrolled in public or private schools:

Rookie – This level is recommended for secondary school students. Competitors may enter as a

single student, a club, organization, or a school team

Intermediate – This level is recommended for undergraduate students who attend a two- or four-

year university, technical school, and Rookies that would like to compete at a higher level.

Each level has a maximum vehicle cost associated with it, described in Sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2. Table I

summarizes the competition class breakdown.

Table I. Competition class divisions

Description/Class Rookie Intermediate

Secondary Students Yes (recommended) Yes (optional)

Undergraduate College/Technical School

Students Yes (optional) Yes (recommended)

Graduate Students No No

Non-students No No

GPS Waypoints Optional Optional

Oyster Pail Package Yes Yes

Maximum Cost of Vehicle $2,000 $3,000

Bill of Materials Required Yes Yes

Video Demo Required Yes Yes

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2.3 Target Coordinates: GPS Waypoints

Some teams may elect to use Global Positioning System (GPS) Waypoints in the vehicle solution. For

teams that elect to use GPS Waypoints, they will receive an ordered list of five GPS coordinates before

the start of their heat to use when delivering their packages. The team does not have to deliver all five

packages, but must use the ordered list if they elect to carry more than one package. If a team opts to

deliver more than one package, that team will be required to deliver to target coordinates in the given

order. Each team will have 5 minutes to program the GPS coordinates onto its vehicle before the start of

the heat.

2.4 Target Coordinates: AR Tags

Alternatively, teams may elect to use AR tags as the basis for GPS-denied navigation. Prior to the start of

a heat, a team will receive an ordered list of five delivery zones (regions) and their associated AR tags

(Figure 1). These AR tags will be 3' × 3' sheets of heavy paper mounted on squares of plywood placed on

the field. The team does not have to deliver all five packages, but must use the ordered list if they elect to

carry more than one package. If a team opts to deliver more than one package, that team will be required

to deliver to target coordinates in the given order. Teams will have ten minutes to program the AR tags

onto their vehicle before the start of the heat. Competition staffers will rearrange the AR tags between

rounds.

Figure 1. An example of an AR tag used for GPS-denied navigation.

2.5 Packages

All packages used in the competition will be plastic 32 oz. “oyster pails.” The packages will be of various

weights measured in pounds. A team will choose the weights of the packages to deliver during a heat.

Teams will be able to load their vehicles with packages of one, two, three, four, or five pounds. A team

will make a selection of packages when that team reports to the field for each heat.

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2.6 Package Delivery

Teams will treat all competition packages as if the contents were fragile. For this reason, each delivery

must adhere to either of the following rule:

The vehicle must be touching the ground before releasing any package or packages.

A judge will oversee all deliveries and will determine, to the best of his/her ability, if the delivery meets

the above requirement. If the judge deems a delivery unacceptable, the competitor will receive zero points

for that delivery.

2.7 “Successful Delivery”

A “successful delivery” is one in which the vehicle:

Took off from the takeoff/landing zone

Navigated to the intended target

Delivered the package such that the package came to rest within the maximum radius (4 yards) of

the intended delivery site

Returned to the takeoff/landing zone

If a team’s vehicle does not return to the takeoff/landing zone at the end of the heat, that team will receive

no time points for the heat

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3 FIELD DESIGN

3.1 Field Size

The PUNCH competition will take place on a standard American football field or equivalent flat area with

dimensions of 100 yards by 53.33 yards. A geofence equal in dimensions to the field will enclose the

field. Competition judges will watch for geofence infractions during the competition. Both end zones of

the field will be outside of the geofence and will be designated No-Fly Zones. Figure 2 shows a

representative view of the field, delivery zones, and obstacles. Note that since up to five deliveries can be

made within each class of competition, there will be multiple delivery targets set up in each class. Figure

two only shows representative delivery zones.

Figure 2. Pictured here is a bird’s eye view of competition field.

3.2 Delivery Zones

Delivery zones are located radially around the takeoff/landing zone. Each delivery zone will have

multiple touchdown points for delivery, various obstacles, and a designated point at which the zone’s

GPS coordinates are measured. The obstacles will become more complex as target difficulty increases.

3.2.1 Easy Delivery Zone

The Easy delivery zone is located to the left side of the takeoff/landing zone. The center of the GPS

waypoint and the Easy delivery zone share a common location. It will contain a 30' × 20' blue tarp with

two AR tags placed on the tarp. Figure 3 shows the layout of the Easy delivery zone.

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Figure 3. Orthographic view of the Easy delivery zone.

3.2.2 Medium Delivery Zone

The Medium delivery zone has two areas. The left area will be used by teams using GPS as their primary

method of navigation and will be placed slightly to the left and ahead of the takeoff/landing zone. Four

GPS waypoints are located around a tent. Teams navigating and not using GPS as their primary method

navigation will use the right area, which is located slightly to the right and ahead of the takeoff/landing

zone. Four AR tags are located around the tent and a GPS waypoint is located on the ground at the center

of the tent. Figure 4 shows how the Medium delivery zone will appear.

Figure 4. Orthographic view of Medium delivery zone.

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3.2.3 Hard Delivery Zone

The Hard delivery zone design is shown in Figure 5 and is located to the right of the takeoff/landing zone.

The center of the delivery zone is located in the middle of the tent area and coincides with the GPS target

location. The tents are located equal distances apart in both latitude and longitude. All AR tags in the

delivery zone are located on the outside periphery of the tents as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Orthographic view of the Hard delivery zone.

3.3 Obstacles

In order to simulate freestanding structures, such as homes, gazebo-style tents (10' × 10') are located on

the field as shown in Figure 2. The gazebo-style tents can be found at

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-2676/Outdoor-Furniture/Side-Walls-for-H-2675-Instant-Canopy-

10-x-10?pricode=WY699&gadtype=pla&id=H-

2676&gclid=CjwKEAjwr6ipBRCM7oqrj6O30jUSJACff2WH1qz38edxql-93HE0JSXSESAyL8xEGzl-

_AoPasF6qxoCHUbw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds.

3.4 Takeoff/Landing Zone

A 20' × 10' takeoff/landing zone is located midfield. Teams may place their vehicle anywhere within this

zone to take off. At the end of the heat and in order for a team to receive full points for successful

deliveries made for the heat, a team must return and land anywhere within the takeoff/landing zone.

Teams that do not return to the takeoff/landing zone will not receive time points in their score.

3.5 GPS Waypoint Markers

The GPS waypoint markers are located on the ground in designated locations on the field. These

waypoints are depicted by 9" circular plates painted fluorescent orange and securely staked to the ground.

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The GPS coordinate given will be the centroid of the GPS waypoint marker. GPS waypoint markers are

the black discs in Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, and Figure 5.

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4 SCORING

4.1 Vehicle Performance Scoring

The first part of each team’s score is the Vehicle Performance Score. These points represent a team’s

flight score which is accumulated during package delivery heats. No limit has been set for the maximum

amount of points that a team is able to accumulate. The total score for this category will be sum of the

three highest heats of the four heats for each team.

4.1.1 Weight Delivered (W)

For all packages that a team successfully delivers, a team will obtain 25 points per pound.

4.1.2 Difficulty Multiplier (D)

A point multiplier applies based on the level of difficulty that the target has associated with it. The field

has three zones: Easy, Medium, and Hard. Deliveries in the Easy zone will have an associated multiplier

of one (1). Deliveries in the Medium zone will have a multiplier of 1.5. Deliveries in the Hard zone will

have a multiplier of two (2).

The multiplier applies to the amount of points awarded for the weight delivered.

4.1.3 Delivery Accuracy (A)

The score for delivery accuracy is a function of the distance the object is from the actual targeted delivery

point. The factor multiplies the number of points a team receives for the package delivery.

The table below shows the multiplier based on the accuracy distances. If the package delivery is farther

than 4 yards away from the target, the team receives no points for the delivery. The multiplier applies to

the score for weight delivered. The accuracy distance is measured from the centroid of the package to the

centroid of the designated target.

Table 1. Delivery accuracy multipliers.

Accuracy Multiplier

Acc

ura

cy

0-1 yards 1

1-2 yards 0.75

2-3 yards 0.5

3-4 yards 0.25

4+ yards 0

4.1.4 Delivery Time (t)

A team’s time score is given as follows: max(240 − 𝑡/𝑛, 0), where t is the duration of the mission in

seconds and n is the number of deliveries attempted during the heat. If the time of delivery and number of

packages delivered causes the time score to be less than zero, then zero points will be awarded instead of

a negative score.

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4.1.5 GPS-Aided vs. GPS-Denied Delivery (G)

In order to encourage the use of GPS denied deliveries, a multiplier of 1.5 applies to a team’s score at the

end of a heat if they make a delivery to an AR tag. If a team decides to deliver to a GPS waypoint instead

of an AR tag, the multiplier 𝐺 will be equal to one.

4.1.6 Final Vehicle Performance Scoring Formula

A team’s score for one heat is given as follows:

HeatScore = 𝐺 [𝐷𝐴𝑊 +𝑚𝑎𝑥 (240 −𝑡

𝑛, 0)]

4.2 Documentation and Design Scoring

There will be a portion of scoring that a team of judges will determine. It does not depend on the level of

performance that a team is able to demonstrate during their heats. A team can obtain a maximum of 450

points. Industry and academic experts will serve as the panel judges and will be responsible for scoring

this category.

4.2.1 Design Choice: Hardware

Judges will be scoring each team based on their innovative vehicle design and the presentation of the

vehicle. Judges will also evaluate the functionality of a team’s hardware designs. A team may receive a

maximum of 100 points in this category.

4.2.2 Design Choice: Software

Judges will be scoring each team based on the software methods they used to program, communicate

with, and operate the vehicle, with special attention given to navigational algorithms. A team may receive

a maximum of 50 points in this category.

4.2.3 Design Choice: Safety Features

Judges will score each team for safety features that go beyond the nominal safety requirements of the

PUNCH competition. This includes but is not limited to innovative kill switch hardware, return to launch

(RTL) programming, camera vision to identify obstacles placed the competition area, etc. A team may

receive a maximum of 50 points in this category.

4.2.4 Paper/Presentation Quality

A technical paper outlining the rationale behind the design decisions made by each team will constitute a

maximum of 250 points of a team’s Documentation and Design score. Judges will assign a score based on

the rubric below.

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Criterion Poor Acceptable Good Excellent

Vehicle design documentation

(100 points)

Little to no description of the

overall vehicle design

Description is vague but shows a glimpse into design and how

it works

Description is able to give a clear

understanding and is easy to follow. Some

things may be missing

Description is very detailed and is easy to follow. No parts

are missing

Mission success strategy, or value

proposition (50 points)

It is not at all clear why the design was

chosen for this mission

Gives some reasoning as to why

they chose this vehicle design over

others to be successful

Reasoning for the chosen design is

understandable and reasoning is adequate

Full understanding of why this design and its operation were

chosen over various other vehicle

systems

Vehicle Systems Interaction (50 points)

Little to no description of how on-board/off-board

systems communicate with

one another

Description of vehicle systems is very vague and is

not easy to follow in a logical manner

Vehicle systems description is nearly

complete with a logical manner that is

easy to follow

Description is fully detailed with no

unanswered questions about

systems that operate the vehicle

Cost score (50 points)

Vehicle cost exceeds the set limits

defined in Section 6, or for Unlimited, the justification is weak

Max allowed cost (MAC)

< Vehicle cost < (MAC - $100), or

justification is fair for unlimited

MAC - $100 < Vehicle cost < (MAC - $500), or

justification is very good for unlimited

MAC - $500 < Vehicle cost <

(MAC - $1000), or justification is strong

for unlimited

4.3 Overall Score

A team’s overall score will be the sum of the top three Vehicle Performance scores, the Documentation

score, and the Design score.

Total Score = [HS1 + HS2 + HS3] + DS + PS

HS1,2,3 → Heat Score highest value, second highest value, third highest value (No maximum on points)

DS → Design Score (200 points max)

PS → Presentation Score (250 points max)

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5 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Safety is a paramount concern for participants, judges, and the audience. Failure to follow these rules will

result in a team’s disqualification for the heat. If the judges deem the violation as significant enough or to

be dangerous, a team may be subject to disqualification from the competition.

5.1 Geofence

A geofence is located around the outside of the competition field. Teams must stay within this field.

Judges will be monitoring the geofence and the location of team’s vehicles. A safety infraction occurs

once a team crosses the line of the geofence.

5.2 Preflight Inspection

Judges will perform a preflight tech inspection on each team’s vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is safe

enough for flight. The preflight inspection checklist is located in Section 9.3.

5.3 Return to Launch Capability

Each team’s vehicle must possess the capability for a user to command the vehicle to return to the launch

point via the push of a button, flip of a switch, etc. The return to launch capability should be able to

activate in a very short time period (≤ 2 seconds).

5.4 Manual (RC) Override

Each team’s vehicle must possess the capability for a user to take control of it quickly via RC during

autonomous flight. A user should be able to activate it in a very short time period (≤ 2 seconds).

5.5 Takeoff/Landing Zones

Competitors may only enter the takeoff/landing zones to prepare their vehicle and load their package(s)

prior to the start of the heat or to retrieve their vehicle at the end of a heat. Prior to entering the

takeoff/landing zone, competitors must have permission from the judges who will ensure that the area is

clear. Prior to retrieving their vehicle from the takeoff/landing zone, the vehicle should be in a disarmed

state.

5.6 Competition Area

Under no circumstances, will the judges allow anyone on to the competition field during a heat. In the

event that a team’s vehicle crashes during a heat, the team may retrieve the vehicle once the heat is over

and a judge signals that the field is clear for retrieval. Participants may not retrieve the packages. Judges

will retrieve all packages at the end of a heat.

5.7 Practice Area

There will be an area designated for practice during the competition. Teams must stay within these areas

when flying. An official will be supervising the practice area at all times. Note that due to the potential for

RF interference with competing aircraft, no practice flights will be allowed during competition runs.

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6 VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Maximum Cost per Vehicle

6.1.1 Rookie Class

The Rookie Class allows a maximum of $2,000 for teams to spend on their vehicle. This cost includes

everything on the vehicle during their heats as well as the team uses to communicate with the vehicle (for

example, RC Receivers).

6.1.2 Intermediate Class

The Intermediate Class allows a maximum of $3,000 for teams to spend on their vehicle. This cost

includes everything that is on the vehicle during their heats as well as the hardware the team uses to

communicate with the vehicle.

6.2 Bill Of Materials (BOM) Requirements

Teams competing in the Rookie and Intermediate classes will be required to submit a bill of materials

outlining the costs of the individual parts on the vehicle as well as the total cost. The form used for this is

located in Section 11. The BOM will be evaluated as part of the report score defined in Section 4.2.4.

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7 FLIGHT RULES

7.1 Compliance with the FAA

It is the responsibility of all teams to ensure full compliance with FAA rules and regulations pertaining to

unmanned aircraft flight operations and pilot certification. Flight teams must provide evidence of aircraft

registration at check-in during the competition. The FAA has classified drones that are operated for

educational purposes will fall under the recreational use category, and there is no requirement for pilot

certification. Pilots are advised that the FAA has published operational rules for drones and these rules

should be reviewed prior to initiating flight operations. More information can be found at

www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started.

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8 DOCUMENTATION

8.1 Team Documentation

8.1.1 Team Roster

Each team entered into the competition must supply a full team roster with the names of all the

individuals on the team.

8.1.2 Proof of Enrollment at an Academic Institution

For each of the individuals listed on the team roster, the team needs to provide proof of active enrollment

in order to compete.

8.2 Vehicle Documentation

8.2.1 Bill of Materials

Teams must provide a bill of materials for the vehicle that they use to compete in the competition. The

bill of materials must include and be formatted in accordance to Section 6.2.

8.2.2 Video Proof of Vehicle Performance

Competitors must supply, by their respective deadlines, a video proving the flight capabilities and

autonomous flight capabilities.

The video proving the flight capabilities must include the vehicle taking off, flying a competition

distance, and landing under its own power. The flight for this video may be RC or autonomous.

The video proving the autonomous capabilities of the vehicle must include the vehicle taking off, flying a

competition distance, and landing under its own power and under complete autonomous control.

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9 PREFLIGHT SAFETY AND TECHNICAL INSPECTION

9.1 Safety Inspection Requirements

Before judges allow a team on the competition or practice fields, a thorough inspection of the required

safety mechanisms must take place, and judges must be sign off on the vehicle. The safety mechanisms

that require inspection are:

1. Prop guards or cowlings

a. Prop guards or cowlings must cover at least the outermost (from the center of the vehicle)

90° of propeller arc

b. Prop guards or cowlings must be rigidly mounted to the frame of the vehicle

2. Return to launch (RTL) GPS navigation

a. A team’s aircraft must be able to demonstrate safe and accurate RTL capabilities when

signaled from ground control

3. Visibility of aircraft

a. The aircraft must be colored or lit in such a way as to be conspicuous and visible from the

ground

9.2 Technical Inspection

Before judges allow a team on the competition or practice fields, a thorough inspection of the required

safety mechanisms must take place to determine airworthiness. A Technical Inspector must verify the

integrity of the airframe as well as the robustness of the controlling software and algorithms. The

technical components of the aircraft that require inspection and clearance from a Technical Inspector are:

1. Integrity of Airframe

a. The aircraft must have a frame that will not become compromised from basic flight

procedures

b. The aircraft must not have any fasteners or pieces that could become loose and be ejected

from the vehicle during flight

2. Integrity of Drivetrain

a. All motors on the vehicle shall be attached with fasteners that employ friction locking

mechanisms (for example, Nyloc nuts) or a thread-locking compound (such as Loctite)

b. The vehicle shall be void of exposed electrical connections

c. Props shall be inspected for adequate tightness

3. Robustness of control hardware

a. Control Hardware is mounted in such a way that it will not become lose and endanger the

vehicle

b. GPS and other magnetically sensitive hardware shall me mounted with adequate

shielding or adequately far away from power sources as not to receive interference from

the vehicle under normal operational conditions

4. Robustness of control software

a. Competitors shall demonstrate the reliability and stability of their control systems under

competition loading conditions

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9.3 Competitor Pre-Flight Checklist

Ground Station:

Selection Modes on Transmitter Check and Confirm Mode Selects

Laptop Power On

Laptop Battery Confirm battery lifespan

Mission Planner Start

Telemetry Module Connect USB

Telemetry Module Antenna Orient Vertically

Com settings Com Port Select, Baud 57600

Aircraft:

Airframe/Landing Gear No Damage

Props Secure, Undamaged, Correct Direction

Motors Secure, Undamaged

ESCs Secure, Undamaged

GPS Receiver and Cable Secured

RC RX and Connections Secured

RC Satellite Rx and Cable Secured

Telemetry Module and Cable Secured

APM Secured

APM Connections Verify All Secured

Battery Install in AV

Velcro Battery Straps Secure

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Flight:

RC Tx Verify Throttle at Minimum

RC Tx Power On

RC Tx Verify Battery Voltage

RC Tx Verify Correct Model Selected

RC Tx Mode Switch Stabilize

Aircraft Place at RTL Location

Battery Connect (Don’t Move AV)

Telemetry Comms Connect with MP

Battery Cables Secure

RC Rx Antennas Straight

Telemetry Antenna Straight and Vertical

Telemetry Signal Strength >75%

Pitch and Roll AV Ensure Correct Response on AH

Airspeed Verify 0 (+/-3)

Home Altitude Set

Altitude Verify 0 (+/-3)

Battery Voltage Fully Charged

GPS 3D Fix

Flight Plan Verify

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10 SCHEDULE

Date Event

10/03/2016 Rule book draft is posted and competition registration

opens (Tuesday after Labor Day)

10/17/2016 Written comments and questions can be submitted to PUNCHcompetition@aiaa.org regarding draft of rules

10/24/2016 Conference Call for interested participants. Tentatively

1000 Eastern time, USA. Contact Stephen Brock at stephenb@aiaa.org for call-in information

10/24/2016 Final Rules are posted

10/24/2016 Registration opens (after Conf. Call)

11/18/2016 Registration closes

2/6/2017 Flight demonstration video submission deadline (RC

Flight)

4/14/2017 Paper/Presentation submission deadline

4/14/2017 Flight demonstration video submission deadline

(Autonomous Mission Flight)

4/27/2017 Competition Day 1: Practice and fine-tuning in morning.

Inspection midday. Heats will start in the afternoon

4/28/2017 Competition Day 2: Heats continue

4/29/2017 Competition Day 3: Final heats and awards banquet

4/30/2017 Rain day if needed

5/5/2017 Post mortem conference call (all levels)

DRAFT

20

AIAA Foundation

11 BILL OF MATERIALS FORM

PUNCH Bill of Materials Form

Team Name:

Description of Vehicle Part Vendor/Source Quantity Cost ($)

Total

DRAFT