Real World Design Challenge
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Real World Design Challenge 2017 Championship
April 21-23, 2017
Teams from across the United States and China competed on the Design of an Unmanned
Aerial System (UAS).
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This year’s Challenge was to design a UAS, create a theory of operation, and a business plan
for a the commercial operation of the system based on the following scenario:
Scenario: Your first generation Farmer’s Companion (state challenge solution) is a success.
Local farmers are ordering your design, and investors are knocking at your door. Your
success has also brought in competitors that will soon start marketing their designs in your
area. Your company must keep improving in order to stay competitive. Recent local and
national news stories have focused on the safety concerns of using unmanned vehicles in
commercial applications, and there is talk that the local/regional government might
implement stricter regulations to address safety concerns. Your company wants to stay
ahead of the public’s concern by focusing on safety in your second-generation design.
The purpose of your second-generation design is still to be a multipurpose tool for a farmer.
The aircraft must be able to perform three minimum-requirement missions that have been
modified to increase the capabilities of the aircraft. The HD camera that was previously only
required on the survey mission is now required in all aircraft configurations. In addition to
the required missions, safety systems and procedures must be added to the aircraft. The
specific type of farm and its location will be left up to the individual teams so a food of
regional importance can be selected and the knowledge and experience of local agriculture
mentors and experts can be used. Farms of either food producing crops (corn, wheat, fruit,
vegetables, etc.) or animals (cows, pigs, poultry, etc.) can be used. Teams need to identify
the unique design of the total system (including all major subsystem elements and costs), a
theory of operation, flight patterns, and a business case supporting economic viability. A
competitive solution will require analyzing, documenting, and addressing challenges
associated with designed missions, productivity, costs, and business profitability. All teams
(even international) must follow the FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Regulations (Part 107).
A few of the constraints from the regulations are that the aircraft must weigh less than 55
lbs., stay within line of sight, have a maximum altitude of 400 ft. above ground level, and
have a maximum speed of 87 knots.
Real World Design Challenge
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The following are the 2017 winners:
International Champion
School: Phillips Academy
State: Massachusetts
Team Name: Blueprints
United States National Champion
School: Phillips Academy
State: Massachusetts
Team Name: Blueprints
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United States Second Place Team
School: Commonwealth Charter Academy
State: Pennsylvania
Team Name: CCA Innovators
United States Third Place Team
School: Xavier High School
State: Connecticut
Team Name: Xavier Engineers
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United States Merit Award Winners
Team Work and Collaboration
School: Princeton High School
State: Illinois
Team Name: Flying Tigers
Effective Use of Mentors School:
Career Preparation Center, Warren Consolidated Schools
State: Michigan
Team Name: Top Gun Aviation
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Against All Odds
School: Mahtomedi High School
State: Minnesota
Team Name: Mathomedia 1
Best First Year Team
School: Baton Rouge Magnet High School
State: Louisiana
Team Name: Bulldogs
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Innovation
School: Rancho High School
State: Nevada
Team Name: Ramjets
Design Viability
School: North Side High School & The Governor’s STEM Academy at Burton
State: Virginia
Team Name: Mojave
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Best Business Case
School: Fort Payne High School
State: Alabama
Team Name: Fort Payne Seven
Chinese National Champion
School: Jianping High School
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Pulse
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Chinese Second Place Team
School: High School Affiliated to Fudan University
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Infinity
Chinese Third Place Team
School: Jianping High School
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Water Drop
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Chinese Merit Award Winners
Team Work and Collaboration
School: Shanghai Experimental School
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Formulation
Effective Use of Mentors
School: Jianping High School
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Easy Ball
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Innovation
School: Datong High School
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Galaxy
Design Viability
School: QiBao Dwight High School
Province: Shanghai
Team Name: Chong Ming Bird
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State Champions US & China