What is the Aerial Drone Competition?
Supported by the RECF, 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 of and building interest in drone-related workforce and career opportunities.
Teams compete in four challenges : Solo Piloting, Solo Autonomous Flight, Alliance, Communication.
Season Timeline
June 2026: Mission 2027 season opens for team registration
August 11, 2026: Mission 2027 competition rules released
October 2026 -Qualifying events begin
Spring 2027 - Championships (TBD)
Teams & Students
What ages can students compete?
There is no minimum age to participate in the Aerial Drone Competition. However, the competition is recommended for students ages 10–18. Coaches should use their best judgment when determining whether a student is ready to compete.
Teams are divided into three age categories:
- 12U / Elementary School: Students must be 12 or younger on May 6, 2027.
- 15U / Middle School: Students must be 15 or younger on May 6, 2027.
- 19U / High School: Students must be 19 or younger on May 6, 2027 and must not have graduated from secondary school.
How many students are on a team?
We recommend 3-5 students per team. Each team needs one drone.
A school or organization can register multiple teams to accommodate student interest. Each school/organization registers a base number, such as 1234, and each team within that base number has a letter, such as 1234A, 1234B, etc. A base number can support up to 22 teams from a single organization.
What are the team roles?
Teams can vary in size, and your team will be more productive if everyone is assigned roles. Consider rotating roles so that team members can learn and benefit from the full program experience. Assign or have the students choose roles that best fit their interests, skills, and needs. It is common for a student to perform more than one role on a team, and for multiple students to share a role.
Common Aerial Drone Team Roles:
- Drone Pilots
- Drone Co-pilots
- Programmers
- Visual Observers
- Competition Notebook documenter
- Team Scout
- Online Challenge Competitors
Tip: Consider assigning backups for roles to sustain your team when an illness or schedule conflict occurs.
How much time do teams need to practice?
This can vary from program to program based on resources and age of the students. A typical team will practice 2-4 hours per week after school.
How much practice space do you need?
Students need to test and practice with their drone, and they will need space to do that. Coaches are creative using classrooms, hallways, libraries etc.
I'm on a limited budget, do I need to purchase a field and game elements to compete?
While it is helpful to have a field and game element to practice with, it is not necessary! Many of our new teams start off by using pool noodles, hula hoops and boxes. Approximate measurements of the field elements can be found in the game manual.
Competitions
Where can I read the rules for this year’s competition?
The game manual and official Q&A can be found at games.recf.org.
How do I register a team and how much is the RECF season registration fee?
You can register teams at RECFevents.org. The RECF season registration fee is $200 USD per team.
What is the cost to attend competitions?
Once your team is registered with the REC Foundation, the fee to attend a local competition varies by state and region. Registration fees for a competition typically range from $50 - $100 USD per team. Championship registrations fees are typically higher. Please visit RECFevents.org to determine the cost of each event in your region.
Where can I find a competition?
We anticipate 250 - 300 qualifying competitions for Mission 2027. Events will begin to be posted on RECFevents.org, starting August 1, 2026. Qualifying competitions will begin on October 1, 2026, and will run through Spring 2027.
New events will continue to be added throughout the fall, with all events expected to be listed by December 1, 2026.
If you're searching for a competition in your area and don't see one listed, please contact your Regional Support Manager (RSM) for assistance.
Are there teams/events in my area?
Aerial Drone Competition is the fastest growing program. We encourage you to check RECFevents.org for the latest events. As the season gets underway, new teams and events will continue to be added. Please reach out to your Regional Support Manager (RSM) to discuss development in your area.
What is a competition like?
Students participate in 4 challenges at an Aerial Drone Competition:
- Solo Piloting Skills Matches: A drone is piloted by students to fly through an obstacle course. Teams compete alone to score as many points as possible by flight through, under and around obstacles. Each match is 60 seconds.
- Solo Autonomous Flight Matches: A drone is programmed by students to operate entirely autonomously earning points to complete as tasks.
- Teamwork Matches: Two drone teams compete as an Alliance in 90-second matches, working collaboratively to score points on a field approximately 20’x20’.
- Communications: During communications, teams will interview with judges to answer questions about their team, drone, programming, and competition notebook documentation.
Competitions typically take place on Saturdays and run from approximately 8am - 4pm.
Is there someone to help me get started?
YES! Your Regional Support Manager (RSM) will provide support and share resources to guide you and your team to be successful.
Equipment
Drone
You will need at least one drone per team. For the 2026-2027 competition season there will be 3 (three) approved competition drones.
- CoDrone EDU
- CoDrone EDU (JROTC Edition; US designed and American Security Drone Act-compliant)
- Parrot Mambo (has been discontinued by the manufacturer, but is still legal for competition)
Computers and Internet
You will also need access to an internet-connected computer/device to utilize the online curriculum and programming resources.
Field Element Kit
Each kit includes the field elements you need to set up ONE field (either a teamwork or skills field). This kit includes:
1 Red Arch Gate
1 Blue Arch Gate
1 Yellow Keyhole Gate
1 Green Keyhole Gate
1 Red Landing Pad
1 Blue Landing Pad
12" Blue Landing Cube
18" Red Landing Cube
3 Programming Mats
3 Color Mats
1 Tunnel
The Field Element Kit is reused every season and can be ordered from our product partner, Drone Competition Gates
Game Element Kit
Every season, the Aerial Drone Competition introduces new missions for teams to tackle. The Game Element Kit contains components to be set up on the fields. Each kit is designed to include the elements for one Teamwork Mission Field and one Skills Mission Field.
The Game Element Kit will change each season and can be ordered from our product partner, Drone Competition Gates.
PVC Perimeter
NEW FOR THE 2026–2027 SEASON – The 20' x 20' field perimeter can be made using PVC pipe, tape, rope, or cones.
Additional PVC parts are not required for the 2026–2027 season; however, as in previous seasons, small PVC purchases from your local hardware store may be required in future seasons to create field perimeter sections.
Vendors and W9s
Equipment
All drones, drone equipment, game elements, and field elements can be purchased through our preferred product partners. Please ensure your district has the following product partners set up as vendors:
Robolink - Vendor Application
Drone Competition Gates - W9
Team and Event Registrations
RECF - W9 (Note: RECF has a new address as of August 2026, which is reflected on this form)
Regional Championships
When/where are the Aerial Drone Competition Regional Championships?
Each region will have a Regional Championship for Elementary/Middle School teams and a Regional Championship for High School Teams. Plans are being made for the Mission 2027 Championships and will be announced in the fall of 2026.
Which Event Region Championship can I attend?
Teams in the US and Canada are assigned to regions and will be invited to the Event Region Championship of their assigned region. For teams outside the US or Canada, please reach out to our international Regional Support Manager for more details.
How do we earn a spot at my Event Regional Championship?
Teams that earn selected awards at local qualifying events will be invited to their Event Region Championship. The number of teams and invitations issued depends on factors including:
- # of Registered Teams
- # of Events in a Region
- Size of Regional Championship
More details can be found in the Qualifying Criteria. (Qualifying Criteria will be posted Fall of 2026)
RECF World Championship
When/where are the RECF World Championship?
The RECF World Championship will be in St. Louis April 27, 2027 – May 6, 2027. Exact dates for when the Aerial Drone Competition Program will be represented will be announced soon.
How do I earn a spot to the RECF World Championship?
Teams that earn selected awards at local qualifying events will be invited to the RECF World Championship. More details can be found in the Qualifying Criteria. (Qualifying Criteria will be posted Fall of 2026)
More Information
Where can I find more information?
Check out the RECF Library for additional documentation for teams, event partners, judges, and volunteers.
How can I learn more?
Contact your Regional Support Manager