Aerial Drone Competition Pro
by Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Advanced STEM Engineering Skills
Aerial Drone Competition Pro is a competition by Robotics Education & Competition Foundation for children aged 13 to 18, open to students across India. Registration opens 1 Feb 2026.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
$200
Duration
Dual-season model: Fall season (October-December) and Spring season (January-May)
Format
Team · Teams of 6
Time needed
Varies; engineering design and build time plus regular practice and competition events
Key dates
- Registration opens
- 1 Feb 2026
- Competition
- 1 Oct 2026 to 30 Apr 2027
About this opportunity
The Aerial Drone Competition Pro (ADC Pro) is an advanced-level annual drone competition organized by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), designed for high school students in grades 9-12 who seek a more technically challenging competition experience than the standard ADC. While the regular ADC focuses on a single CoDrone EDU drone, ADC Pro requires teams to coordinate multiple vehicles simultaneously: a CoDrone EDU drone, a MINDS-i Competition Drone, and a land vehicle. All vehicles operate autonomously or in coordinated piloted sequences, demanding skills in mechanical design, 3D printing, and advanced computer programming.
Teams of 3-6 students compete in two-alliance matches on a divided competition field. The format includes Teamwork Matches (multi-vehicle coordination), Autonomous Skills Matches (purely autonomous navigation), and Piloting Skills Matches. ADC Pro uses a Fall plus Spring dual-season model, allowing teams to compete across two competition windows (Fall: October-December; Spring: January-May) within the same academic year.
ADC Pro is primarily targeted at grades (high school), with younger students able to participate by playing up. The program emphasizes engineering design, cross-vehicle coordination, autonomous programming, and technical documentation as workforce readiness skills. International teams outside the US and Canada must contact drones@recf.org for their regional participation pathway.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13 to 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Prerequisites
- Teams must source CoDrone EDU drone, MINDS-i Competition Drone, and land vehicle hardware (total equipment cost approximately USD 4,300-4,700)
Primarily grades 9-12 (high school). Younger students may participate by playing up. Teams of 3-6 members.
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Rewards and recognition
Recognition
International STEM Competition
Skills your child builds
Exam format
- Language
- English
Rounds & format
Teamwork Matches: two alliances of two teams coordinate drones and land vehicles on a divided field. Autonomous Skills Matches: vehicles operate fully autonomously. Piloting Skills Matches: student pilots navigate vehicles manually. Fall season: October-December. Spring season: January-May.
How entries are judged
Engineering design, cross-vehicle coordination, autonomous programming, technical documentation, teamwork, communication skills, and problem-solving approach, evaluated through interviews and competition logbooks.
Selection process
Teams qualify for higher levels of competition based on performance in teamwork and skills matches, as well as judged awards for technical and communication excellence.
How to apply
- 1Form a team of 3-6 high school students and source all required hardware (CoDrone EDU, MINDS-i Competition Drone, and land vehicle)
- 2Contact drones@recf.org if based outside US and Canada to confirm regional pathway
- 3Register for qualifying events in the Fall or Spring season window
How to prepare
- Official Competition Manual
- Game Reveal Video
- Official Q&A System
- CoDrone EDU Training and Pilot Certification
- FAA Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Fees & financial support
Fee details
USD 200 per team per season registration fee, plus USD 50-100 per qualifying event.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aerial Drone Competition Pro free?
No. The registration fee is $200.
Who can participate in Aerial Drone Competition Pro?
Children aged 13 to 18.
What will my child gain from Aerial Drone Competition Pro?
Advanced autonomous programming across multiple vehicle types (drone plus land vehicle). Mechanical design and 3D printing skills developed in a competitive context. Technical documentation and STEM communication skills for workforce readiness. Dual Fall and Spring season model allows two competition windows per year. RECF university partnership scholarships available to standout participants.
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