Section 3: Mission Demonstration

This section includes detailed requirements and instructions for the Mission Demonstration portion of the competition. The demonstration is worth 70% of the total score for the competition.

3.0.1 Flight Performance Requirements

The following are minimum requirements for UAS flight performance to participate in the Mission Demonstration:

• Fly at least 3 miles at fully loaded weight in a single flight.

• Fly waypoints with a max error of 50ft, and the threshold must be configured in the autopilot.

• Turn radius of 150ft and be able to stay within the Mission Flight Boundary.

• Angle of climb and angle of descent of 20 degrees.

• Stay above 50ft AGL when more than 200ft away from the runway.

• Able to takeoff and land in runway approximately 70ft by 500ft.

3.0.2 Runways for VTOL and HTOL

To support multiple teams flying at the same time, there will be two independent runways performing missions simultaneously. Each runway is capable of supporting both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and horizontal takeoff and landing (HTOL) aircraft. The runways are paved asphalt and will be approximately 70ft by 500ft. Teams may also use the grass sections adjacent to their assigned runways for takeoff and landing, on the opposite side from the tents, so long as flight paths don’t intersect the other runways or the flight line tents.

3.0.3 Airfield Notes

Airfield GPS coordinates are 38.31633, -76.55578. Airfield elevation is 142ft MSL. Airfield magnetic variation is 11 degrees west. The runway is a paved asphalt surface roughly 70ft wide with no height obstacles. Grass areas within the takeoff/landing area will not be prepared but will be available for use

The airfield and flight boundary includes areas which contain trees that may be taller than 50ft AGL. The Maryland record for tree height is ~140ft (182ft MSL at the airfield). Teams should consider this when setting waypoints over trees.

The following are a series of GPS points which form a polygon that is the mission flight boundary (shown via red line in photo). The UAS must remain within this polygon and the altitude restrictions of [50ft AGL (192ft MSL), 400ft AGL (542ft MSL)]. The UAS may only go below 50ft AGL when taking off or landing, but must not go below 50ft AGL when over one of the other runways occupied by other teams. The UAS is out of bounds if it’s outside of the polygon or the altitude restrictions, at which point the mission will be terminated.

• 38.317297, -76.556176

• 38.315948, -76.556573

• 38.315467, -76.553762

• 38.314709, -76.549363

• 38.314241, -76.546627

• 38.313698, -76.543423

• 38.313310, -76.541096

• 38.315299, -76.540521

• 38.315876, -76.543613

• 38.318616, -76.545385

• 38.318626, -76.552061

• 38.317034, -76.552447

• 38.316742, -76.552945

3.0.4 Ground Control Station Requirements

Teams must have a display, always viewable by the judges, which presents a map showing the flight boundaries, the UAS position, and all other competition elements. This display must indicate the UAS speed in KIAS or ground speed in knots, and MSL altitude in feet. Teams will not be able to fly without this display. If during the mission the judges are unable to see this display, the team's UAS will be required to return to land.

3.0.5 Flight Order of Team Demonstrations

The flight order will be determined by order of successfully qualified Proof of Flight Readiness Video submission. A live flight order will be available on the SUAS website as videos are approved.

The organizers will attempt to fly as many teams as possible, but if time runs out (e.g. due to weather delays, emergency airport traffic) the teams who were last to successfully qualify with their proof of flight will not have the opportunity to fly. As time allows, teams will be given the opportunity to fly again for a second chance in the same flight order. The better of the two demonstrations will count.

3.0.6 Judges

The lead judge stands with the Safety Pilot. The Ground Control Station (GCS) judge sits with the GCS Operator and must have continuous uninterrupted access to a GCS display meeting the GCS Display Requirements.

3.0.7 Order of Tasking

Teams must successfully takeoff and climb above 50ft AGL (192ft MSL) within the first 10 minutes of the mission clock, or the demonstration will be terminated. Upon every takeoff, teams must immediately fly a waypoint lap before attempting other tasks, thereby simulating the trip to the operation area. After the waypoint lap, teams may decide the order of all other tasks.

3.0.8 Termination and Disqualification

Breaking the rules, risking safety, and accumulating too many penalties may cause mission termination and may cause disqualification.

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