Aerial Drone Competition

The Aerial Drone Competition offers an exciting educational drone sporting event that focuses on hands-on, student-centered learning.

Teams learn about drones, flight principles, programming, documentation and communication skills while expanding their understanding and building interest for Drone-related workforce and career opportunities.

Recommended for students grades 5-12, teams will compete in local and national competitions where students work together to complete four missions.

Program Flyer

Four Missions

Piloting Teamwork Mission

Drones are piloted by students. Two teams fly together on the same competition field to maximize their score.

Autonomous Flight Mission

Drone is programmed by students to operate entirely autonomously. Each team competes alone to score as many points as possible.

Piloting Skills Mission

Drone is piloted by students to fly through an obstacle course. Each team competes alone to score as many points as possible.

Communications Mission

Teams interview with Judges about their Drone, Programming and Competition Logbook Documentation

Season Timeline

April – Season Opens for Team Registration
September – 2023-2024 Game Reveal
October 2023 through March 2024 – Local Qualifying events
March-April 2024 – District Championship Events
April-May 2024 – Regional Championship Events

Field Assembly

Click here to view more RAD Competition videos.

Look Back at the 2022-23 Season

The 2023-2024 Aerial Drone Competition

Game Reveal Coming in September

Over 900 teams from 21 states competed the 2022 -2023 season. Mission 2023: Blackout was a huge success. Students from around the country learned flying, coding and communication skills at events around the country. This season will bring more focus on piloting and programming skills as well as more focus on precision flying.

New in 2023-24

Dedicated Autonomous Flight Layout – Designed to use sensors of the CoDrone EDU and increase programming success. Specially designed mats will be placed on sections of the floor to aid in set up and consistent sensor readings.
Piloting Skills Challenge – One Drone - One team - pilot your drone around an obstacle course to show off your piloting skills.
Two Drone Teamwork Challenge – Designed for two teams to work together and highlight precision flying skills, communication a and highlight precision flying skills, communication and decision making.
Easier set up – PVC only required on Teamwork Challenge fields.
Updated Rubrics – More focus on drone flight, drone programming, flight safety and communication.

Get Started Today!

We proudly recognize the following organizations for their partnership and appreciate their continued support of our global mission to provide educators with hands-on, student-led competition programs and educational resources to prepare future innovators for a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.