3.1 Timeline

UAS must be able to fly missions in a restricted time scenario. This involves setting up the UAS, flying the mission, and tearing down within provided time limits.

3.1.1 Setup Time (15 Minutes)

Teams will be provided at least 15 minutes for setup. At setup time teams will receive all other mission details (such as waypoints) from the judges by paper printout. GPS positions will be given in UTM decimal degrees, and altitudes in feet AGL and MSL. The last 5 minutes of the setup time must include the pre-mission brief. This brief must include a summary of planned tasks, identification of Safety Pilot and GCS Operator, and other information judges should know. Once the judges determine the airspace is available and the setup time has elapsed, the judges will start the Mission Time regardless of team readiness.

3.1.2 Mission Time (30 Minutes)

Teams will be provided 30 minutes to complete the mission. Mission time stops once the UAS has landed, the UAS has cleared the runway, and the team relinquishes the airspace. No additional points will given for ending the mission early, but exceeding the 30 minute mission time will result in large Excess Time penalties.

3.1.3 Tear Down Time (10 Minutes)

Teams will be provided 10 minutes to remove all equipment from the flight line tent area.

3.1.4 Timeout (10 Minutes)

A team is allowed one timeout to stop the mission clock, which will cost them the points described in Penalties. The timeout must be taken prior to the UAS capturing its first waypoint and will last at least ten minutes.

3.1.5 Air Traffic or Weather Mission Pause

In the event that traffic enters the mission airspace or weather becomes unsafe for flight, the mission will be paused at the point the team is notified and the UAS will be required to return to land until the traffic clears the airspace. Teams will be given a penalty-free timeout of at least 5 minutes during which they are permitted to refuel but not otherwise modify the UAS, load additional payloads, or process data. Once the airspace is clear the UAS will takeoff, return to the position at which the mission was interrupted, and then the mission will resume from that point.

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