Explorer Post 1010
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) 2025 |
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We named our copter "JEFF"
(Joint Engineered Fabricated Flyer)
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Explorer Post 1010 signed up for the 2025
UAS4STEM (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems)
competition in the fall of 2024. We added a few new members.
After taking first place in July 2024, and started again.
We held meetings and work sessions at the Rockville Science Center storefront (36C Maryland Ave).
We practiced flying at the Red Gate Park in Rockville (an old golf course).
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Previous
2024
2023
2022
2020/21
2019
2018
2017
2016 |
Using the quad-copter from 2024, we repaired and improved the flight systems.
We replaced the mission mechanisms to meet the
mission requirements. We continuously improved our operations and worked to meet the challenge.
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UAS4STEM requires the students to build and fly a mid-size quad-copter through a competition course in a limited time.
A team is limited to 10 members, who must complete an on-line training session.
The preliminary competition is in spring, and if invited, the national competition is in August.
Every member needs to join the
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
A youth membership is available at
https://www.modelaircraft.org/joinrenew.aspx for $15/year.
The big challenge was designing and creating a mechanism to pick
several different items and drop them off at another target.
This was similar to 2024. We tried several different mechanism
and iterated to a system that worked well.
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The Mission (2025 Rulebook)
"Your team has been contracted to inspect a faulty tower to
determine any defects.
Your drone must comply with special instructions (SPINS) that will
inform you of how to operate an overview of the area. These SPINS
will be provided prior to the start of the mission.
Your drone must remain within the assigned operational area. Once
you have completed the SPINS mission, proceed with your inspection
of the tower.
Based on the inspection, you will retrieve the appropriate equipment
(using an engineered mechanism affixed to the drone that you design)
and deliver it to the stationary target.
There is a moving vehicle enroute to the tower.
Unfortunately the driver forgot their hat. You can choose to deliver
the hat."
Our Team Name: Some Assembly Required (SAR)
| Lindsay |
- Team Captain / Airboss |
| Veronica |
- Mission Planner Specialist
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| Jane |
- Primary Pilot in Command
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| Sam |
- Backup Mission Planner Specialist |
| Daniel |
- Strategic Technician / Backup AI |
| Elliott |
- Aircraft Specialist |
| Simon |
- Scoring Captain / Backup Pilot |
| Teddy |
- Visual Observer / Aircraft Specialist |
| Troy |
- AI Specialist |
| Liam |
- Safety Specialist |
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The team was fortunate to have Tom May return as
our adult mentor. He is skilled in aeronautics engineering. His
wife, Beth May, was very helpful in managing the
team, working logistics, and guiding the project presentations. They
were key to the success of this project.
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Preliminary Competition
For the preliminary competition, we presented from the Rockville Science Center storefront.
The team prepared a
Preliminary Presentation and gave it using Microsoft Teams. We also had to show
our skill in running Mission Planner.
We got a really good score and many positive comments. We were
again invited to the
Final Competition. |
We continued working with grabbing mechanisms. It included
several redesigns and mechanical development skills. A real
challenge, especially when you include automation and AI.
We got
team t-shirts.We submitted our
Proof of Flight video
and a
Promotional video.
The final competition was held in Oshkosh Wisconsin, July 19-25.
It was held in conjunction with the annual international
AirVenture
aviation festival.
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Final Competition
We gave an impressive
National Presentation.
The festival was a great opportunity to see and interact with
the aviation community.
We won first place for the second year in a row.
We are planning for 2026.
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