# Aerial Drone Competition

Team drone competition from the REC Foundation for middle and high school students: piloting, autonomous flight programming, teamwork matches, and judged interviews across hundreds of qualifying events; Mission 2027 registration is open.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Robotics Education & Competition Foundation |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | $200 |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 6–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Multiple, Various |
| Apply | https://recf.org/teams/competition/aerial-drone-competition/ |

## About this program

# Aerial Drone Competition

The Aerial Drone Competition is the drone sporting event of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, the same foundation behind the VEX Robotics World Championship. Teams of roughly 3-5 middle or high school students learn drone piloting, block or Python flight programming, engineering documentation, and communication, then compete season-long at local qualifying events that feed regional championships. The Mission 2027 season opened for team registration in June 2026, with rules released August 11, 2026 and qualifying events running from October 2026 into spring 2027.

## What You'll Do

- Fly the Teamwork Mission, where two teams fly together on the same field to maximize a shared score
- Program your drone for the Autonomous Flight Mission, operating entirely without pilot input
- Navigate an obstacle course in the head-to-head Piloting Mission
- Present your programming and documentation to judges in the Communications Mission interview
- Compete at local qualifiers for spots at your region's middle school or high school championship

## Who Should Apply

Middle and high school students who want a hands-on aviation-flavored alternative to traditional robotics - teams register through school clubs, community organizations, or families for about $200 per team per season, plus one competition drone.

## Outcomes

Students build piloting, programming, and engineering-documentation skills recognized across REC Foundation programs, with a season structure that rewards iteration - and regional championship berths for the strongest teams.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Aerial Drone Competition cost?

Aerial Drone Competition costs $200. Many paid programs offer need-based financial aid or fee waivers — check the official site before ruling it out.

### Who is eligible for Aerial Drone Competition?

Aerial Drone Competition is open to students in grades 6–12 (middle and high school). Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Aerial Drone Competition online or in person?

Aerial Drone Competition is an in-person program based in Multiple, Various.

### How do I apply to Aerial Drone Competition?

Apply directly through Robotics Education & Competition Foundation's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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