The American Helicopter Society (AHS) International invited student teams to participate in the 3rd annual electric-powered VTOL Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge. The competition was designed to award both
“form” and “function” of the MAV. With respect to “form,” teams with unique,
innovative and robust VTOL MAV air-vehicle design were awarded points. With
respect to “function,” teams that demonstrated the best autonomous flight and mission
execution capabilities were awarded points. Overall, teams showing superior
system integration of vehicle flight systems, sensors and
remote-operation-station were considered for final awards. Teams were able to receive multiple awards based on these aspects.
The Georgia Tech Aerial Robotics Club was the winner of autonomous category and awarded $5,000 for "Fulfilling all requirements of the competition for the first time in the competition’s three year history."
The Georgia Tech Unmanned Flying Club was the winner of the manual control category and awarded $2,500 for “Fulfilling all requirements of the manual flight competition and having a very well integrated ground station and operator interface."
The University of Pennsylvania was provided an honorable mention award of $1,500 for “Flying a vehicle which was an order of magnitude lighter than the other competitors, and having a novel means of control." Penn was a first-time competitor in this year’s event, bringing an MAV that weighed only 38 grams (1.3 oz).
The University of Maryland Cyclocopter Team was also provided an award of $1,000 for “Achieving significant weight reduction over previous cyclocopter implementations." A cyclocopter uses cycloidal rotors, which consist of airfoils rotating around a horizontal axis like a paddlewheel.
- Mosaic Aerospace
- The Patuxent Partnership
- Rockwell Collins
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp
The 3rd Annual MAV Student Challenge was held at the 71st AHS International Annual Forum and Technology Display at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia on Monday May 4, 2015. The competition was conducted by AHS International’s Unmanned VTOL Aircraft & Rotorcraft Committee. The committee's hope is that the annual MAV Student Challenges will lead to advances in this area and help to develop increased expertise by students and universities.
- Univ. of Pennsylvania
- North Dakota State University
- Georgia Tech
- University of Maryland
- University of Maryland
- Arizona State University
- Lehigh University
More photos from this event can be found on our Facebook or in the Forum 71 photo gallery.
Check out the current Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge.
The 1st Annual Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge was held at the AHS Forum 69 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday May 21, 2013.
The 2nd Annual Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge was held at the AHS Forum 70 at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal in Montréal, Québec on Monday May 19, 2014.
(Photographs by Jason L. Pereira.)