COMMANDERS INTENT: The intent is to execute a professionally run REC Foundation Aerial Drone Competition that ensures fairness, fosters competition, and promotes technical and leadership skills among JROTC cadets. All competitors, coaches, and volunteers will adhere to the REC Foundation Aerial Drone Competition Guidelines for competition structure, scoring, and safety.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
• All teams must pass a pre-flight inspection and complete a pre-flight checklist before each match.
• Teams must operate only in designated Flight Zones.
• Safety glasses are required for all flight team members in active zones.
• Coaches must ensure all participants comply with RECFoundation Code of Conduct.
EXECUTION - EVENT DETAILS AND TEAM COMPOSITION
COMPETITION - WHAT TO EXPECT
When you arrive:
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Allen High school hosted competitions are held in our Competition Gym
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Signage and volunteers will guide competitors to Check-In and assigned stations
During event:
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Schedule of events will be posted on REC Registration site
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Volunteers teams will assist teams to floor of competition.
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Monitors may be available in Pit area to display schedule, scoring, and team information.
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Restrooms and Food services will be accessible.
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Judges will be provided a space away from competitors for break.
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Photographers will be on site.
Awards/After:
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Awards presentation will proceed as outlined in schedule
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Volunteers will assist with Pit clean up
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Photos will be available for download shortly after competition.
Team composition will be a minimum of two and a maximum of five members. Teams must designate members for specific roles (e.g., Pilot, Spotter, Technician, Team Leader, Analyst), but these roles may overlap as needed, consistent with REC Foundation rules. For example, a team member may serve as both Pilot and Team Leader.
Minimum Team Composition (2 Members):
1. Pilot: Essential for drone operation.
2. Spotter: Assists the Pilot with navigation and strategy.
PILOT
Primary Role: Operates the drone during the competition
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Responsibilities:
o Mastery of the drone’s controls for navigating,hovering, and completing tasks.
o Maintains focus on precision, speed, and accuracy during all events.
o Communicates effectively with the Spotter for guidance and situational awareness.
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Skills Needed: Strong hand-eye coordination, drone control expertise, quick decision-making.
SPOTTER
Primary Role: Assists the Pilot by providing situational awareness and strategy updates.
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Responsibilities:
o Tracks obstacles, course boundaries, and event-specific goals.
o Provides verbal feedback or instructions to the Pilot about navigation and positioning.
o Monitors drone compliance with competition rules (e.g., avoiding penalties for boundary violations).
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Skills Needed: Excellent communication, spatial awareness,
quick analysis.
TECHNICIAN
Primary Role: Maintains and troubleshoots the drone to ensure it is competition-ready.
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Responsibilities:
o Prepares the drone for events by checking batteries,calibrating sensors, and testing motors.
o Handles any technical issues or repairs during the competition.
o Ensures spare parts, tools, and equipment are available if needed.
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Skills Needed: Knowledge of drone mechanics, problem-solving, attention to detail.
TEAM LEADER
Primary Role: Oversees the team's overall performance and ensures coordination among members.
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Responsibilities:
o Develops strategies for each event based on the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
o Ensures adherence to competition schedules and rules.
o Acts as the primary liaison between the team and competition officials.
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Skills Needed: Leadership, organizational skills, strategic thinking.
ANALYST
Primary Role: Evaluates the team’s performance in real-time and offers improvements.
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Responsibilities:
o Observes the team during events to identifyopportunities for optimization.
o Reviews scoring criteria and advises the Team Leader on adjustments.
o Keeps track of other teams' strategies to inform decision-making.
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Skills Needed: Analytical thinking, knowledge of event
rules, adaptability.
TEAM COMPOSITION, ROLES, AND SKILLS
COMPETITION EVENTS
The following events will challenge participants’ drone piloting skills while adhering to the equipment’s capabilities. Setup instructions are provided for each competitor’s competition preparation:
See Mission 2026: Time Warp Challenges - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mx0BWhoPPA&ab_channel=RECFoundation
90 SECOND MATCH
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2 TEAMS COMPETE AS AN ALLIANCE
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Team Composition:
• 1 Pilot
• 1 Co-Pilot
• 1 Visual Observer
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Objective: Complete tasks as designed on the field to obtain points. Alliance members will work together to achieve as many points as they can in the time limit and land.
60 SECOND TASK
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Team Composition:
• 1 Pilot,
• 1 Visual Observer
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Objective: After take off, pilot through a series of obstacles in phases. These must must be completed in order
Teams may repeat steps 1 - 4 as many times as possible in 60 seconds. Teams earn points as they complete phase.
3 MINUTE SESSIONS
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Team Composition:
• 1 Pilot
• 1 Co-Pilot
• 1 Programmer
Visual Observers may walk around the perimeter during the Match
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Objective: Complete Autonomous Flight Skills Mission Matches during each session using programmed code.
Competitors must bring their own drones. Drones must comply with the size, weight, and operational specifications outlined in the REC Foundation guidelines. While the official Competition Manual provides comprehensive details, here are key specifications:
For detailed information, including any updates or changes to drone specifications, teams should refer to the latest Competition Manual available on the REC Foundation's Aerial Drone Competition webpage.
Approved Drone Models
The CoDrone EDU by Robolink is the official drone for the ADC. This model is recommended due to its safety features, durability, and suitability for educational purposes.
Only the CoDrone EDU, CoDrone EDU JROTC Edition, or Parrot Mambo are permitted for competition.
Operational and Unmodified
Teams are responsible for ensuring their drones are fully operational upon arrival. Drones must remain unmodified and utilize only stock components, including electronics, motors, propellers, and frames, as specified in the REC.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
All competition details, including the scoring rubric, flight rules, and layout, will be posted on the resource page. Teams must adhere to submission deadlines and event guidelines to ensure fair and smooth operations.
Command The competition will be overseen by the Allen High School MCJROTC staff and a designated rules committee. Any
discrepancies will be addressed by the committee.
ADMINISTRATION & LOGISTICS
For Logistical Questions: Bruce Cole, SgtMaj, USMC (Ret.) SMI, Allen High School MCJROTC bruce.cole@allenisd.org
Hosted by Allen High School Marine Corp JROTC