Important Conops Details - Queen-s-Aerospace-Design-Team/AeroSAE2027 GitHub Wiki
A need-to-know summary of the competition rules and scoring that actually shape what we're building, to get the picture without reading the full Conops.
Mission at a Glance
SAE Aero Design West - Van Nuys, California
- 4 sequential segments: Conventional Takeoff → Payload Delivery → Payload Capture → Return to Base (RTB).
- Each segment can be attempted autonomously or manually. Autonomy scores far more (see below).
- Max mission time: 4 minutes. Faster completion earns a time bonus.
- Must complete Takeoff + RTB at minimum to receive any Flight Score for that attempt.
- Up to 2 Payload Segment scores possible in one flight (score a Delivery with one payload, then a Capture with a different, previously-delivered payload).
Why Autonomy Matters - Scoring
| Mission Segment | Autonomous Multiplier | Manual Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Takeoff | 2 | 1 |
| Payload Delivery | 8 | 1 |
| Payload Capture | 15 | 2 |
| Return to Base | 3 | 1 |
Each segment scores 1 + (Multiplier × Payload Weight in lbs). Autonomous Capture (15×) is the single biggest lever on our score.
Time bonus (only counts if a payload segment is attempted): +2 if mission time < 120s, +1 if 120–179s, +0 if 180–239s.
Payload Rules That Shape Our Build
- Payload weight counts inside the aircraft's 3.50 lb total limit, there's no separate payload allowance; any onboard payload hardware competes with the same weight budget as the airframe and battery.
- Largest linear dimension of the payload ≤ 12 inches.
- Payload must be marked with team number + a unique ID, both in ≥1 inch font.
- Payload must be capable of unloading in under 1 minute, or that mission segment scores zero payload weight.
- Electronics/magnets are explicitly allowed on the payload, but it cannot be manually operated by a person.
- Aircraft may carry up to one (1) payload during a given mission segment (p.39).
The DLZ (Designated Landing Zone)
- One 8 ft × 8 ft zone, must be exactly the coroplast sheets, with no modification/material added underneath; no nets or modified surfaces that adhere to or catch the payload (Velcro, magnets, tape).
- No rule explicitly bans color or line markings on the surface, the restrictions above (material under the coroplast, surfaces that catch/retain the payload) don't clearly cover it either way; confirm with the rules committee before relying on it.
- No electronics, batteries, or magnets allowed as part of the installed DLZ itself.
- Payload must stay fully supported by, and entirely within, the DLZ throughout the mission or it's disqualified from scoring.
Autonomous Flight Requirements
- Aircraft needs an active navigation system controlling ≥2 degrees of freedom to count as autonomous.
- A manual override switch is mandatory (a red momentary switch/button, held to stay in autonomous mode). Any use of it makes that segment manual for scoring purposes.
- Autopilot data link cannot share the 2.4GHz band with the pilot's transmitter.