10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)

DESIGN CHALLENGE– 2024

RULE BOOK
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................... 3
1.1 OVERVIEW................................................................................................. 3
1.2 RULES and GUIDELINES........................................................................... 3
1.3 TEAMS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA................................................................. 4
1.4 OFFICIAL LANGUAGE(add in rules and guidelines).................................. 4
2. UAV DESIGN AND REQUIREMENTS............................................... 5
2.1 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS......................................................................... 5
2.2 PAYLOAD REQUIREMENTS...................................................................... 5
3. Phase 1 - Design Report.................................................................. 7
3.1 Original Work:.............................................................................................. 7
3.2 Organization of Contents:............................................................................ 7
3.3 Design Report Specifications:......................................................................7
3.4 Electronic Document Specifications and Drawing Guidelines:.................... 7
4. PHASE2 – PRESENTATION AND FLYING COMPETITION............. 7
4.1 Technical Presentation.................................................................................7
4.2 TECHNICAL INSPECTION......................................................................... 8
4.3 FLYING ROUND..........................................................................................9
EVALUATION SCHEME:................................................................................. 11

2 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 OVERVIEW

The surge in popularity of multirotor UAVs, commonly known as drones, spans diverse applications such as aerial
photography, videography, inspection, delivery, and search and rescue. The “Vayurvya Rotorcraft” Design, Build and Fly
Contest present an exceptional avenue for students to hone their skills in crafting these versatile aircraft. This
competition not only tasks students with meeting specific mission requirements, such as payload capacity and flight
time, but also challenges them to thoughtfully design the UAV frame, rotor system, and propulsion system for efficiency
and maneuverability. Beyond the technical aspects, the contest cultivates project management and teamwork skills,
necessitating collaborative efforts in designing, constructing, testing, and presenting their UAV to a panel of judges.
Serving as a valuable learning experience, the “Vayurvya Rotorcraft” Design, Build and Fly Contest equips students
aspiring for a career in aerospace engineering with hands-on experience, fostering the development of technical
expertise, project management acumen, and effective teamwork.

1.2 RULES and GUIDELINES

The Vayurvya Multirotor Challenge 2024 is governed by the following rules and guidelines to ensure a safe, fair, and
competitive environment for all participants:

1. Eligibility: Open to all individuals or teams who meet the team eligibility criteria.

2. Safety: Safety is of utmost importance. All participants must adhere to the safety regulations provided in the rulebook
and follow safety guidelines during all phases of the competition.

3. Conduct: Participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully. Unsportsmanlike behavior,
cheating, or misconduct will not be tolerated.

4. Compliance: Teams and participants must comply with all rules and guidelines outlined in the competition. Any
violation may lead to penalties or disqualification.

5. Modifications: The organizing committee reserves the right to modify missions, scoring criteria, or rules as necessary
for the fair and safe conduct of the competition. Teams will be informed of any modifications.

6. Team Responsibilities: Each team is responsible for the safe and ethical conduct of their members. This includes
compliance with safety measures, fairness, and adherence to the rules.

7. Drone Specifications: Teams must design and build drones that adhere to the specifications provided in the rulebook,
including weight, dimensions, and other technical details.

8. Payload Requirements: Payloads must meet the specified size, weight, and safety requirements outlined in the
rulebook. Payloads must be securely attached and not compromise the copter's structural integrity.

9. Innovations Ownership: Any technological innovations or developments achieved during the competition remain the
intellectual property of the respective teams or individuals.

3 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
10. Event Documentation: Teams are required to maintain thorough documentation of their designs, including technical
reports, CAD models, and flight plans. These documents may be subject to review by the committee.

11. Official Language: English is the official language for all ROTORCRAFT challenge communications, promoting effective
collaboration and clarity. Participants, teams, and mentors are expected to use English as the primary medium for
interactions.

12. Media Rights: Teams grant the Challenge the right to use their media, images, and documentation for promotional
and educational purposes related to the competition.

13. Protests and Appeals: Teams have the right to submit protests related to rule violations. Protests must be submitted
in writing to the Committee for review and resolution. Appeals may be submitted for decisions made by the Committee.

14. Event Cancellation: In the event of unforeseen circumstances or safety concerns, the Committee retains the right to
cancel, reschedule, or modify the competition. Teams will be notified of such changes.

15. Committee Authority: The organizing committee has the final authority in interpreting and enforcing the rules,
making judgments, and deciding on any matters related to the competition.

1.3 TEAMS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In promoting a diverse and competitive atmosphere, the following criteria apply to all participating teams:

Institutional Affiliation:
Teams must hail from a recognised university, college, or school in India, offering a platform for students to showcase
their skills and innovation. Teams with participants from different institutions are also encouraged.

Team Size:
Each team should consist of a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 8 members. This range is designed to foster
collaboration while ensuring the competition remains manageable and fair.

Enrollment Verification:
To establish eligibility, each team must submit a bonafide certificate from their college or university, confirming the
enrollment status of their team members. This document serves as a crucial verification requirement.

Mentor Involvement:
Teams have the option to enlist a mentor to offer guidance and support. However, mentors are expressly prohibited from
directly participating in the design, build, or testing of the rotorcraft. The competition is structured as a student-driven
initiative, with mentors playing an advisory role and overseeing safety protocols.

4 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
2. UAV DESIGN AND REQUIREMENTS
The objective for the Rotorcraft Design Challenge is to design, build, and fly a multirotor UAV with a
maximum weight limit of 2.5kg and overall dimensions not exceeding 1.5m. The challenge encourages
participants to showcase innovation, technical proficiency, and problem-solving capabilities in designing a
functional and creative multirotor drone within these constraints.

2.1 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

The design requirements of the UAV are listed in Table 1.

S.No. Parameters Requirements/limitations

1. UAV Type Multirotor
2. UAV Weight Category Under 2.5kg without Payload
3. Propulsion Type Electric
4. Communication System Data Telemetry – 2.4 GHz
Frequency
5. Total dimension Length+Breadth+Height<=1.5m
6. Li-po battery cell size max 6S Lipo-Battery

fig:refer for total dimention

2.2 PAYLOAD REQUIREMENTS

In the spirit of innovation and precision, we have outlined specific payload requirements to ensure the safety and
integrity of the competition. Please take note of the following:

Payload Dimensions:
3
Teams must ensure that their payload dimensions adhere to a cuboidal volume of 125𝑐𝑚 (5cm x 5cm x 5cm). Design
considerations should prioritize meeting this specific size constraint.

Prohibited Materials:
For safety reasons, no poisonous materials, such as lead, are allowed in the payload. All payloads must be free of harmful
substances.

5 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
Secure Attachment:
Teams are responsible for securely attaching their payloads to the copter's dropping mechanism. It's crucial to ensure the
payload remains intact throughout the mission.

Structural Integrity:
The payload must not compromise the structural integrity of the copter. If the payload is found to cause structural failure
or instability, the team may not be allowed to participate in the competition.

Smooth Release Mechanism:

The payload dropping mechanism should be designed to release the payload smoothly without hindering the copter's
takeoff from the dropping zone. Careful design and testing are essential.

Excluded from Copter Weight:

The payload weight is not included in the calculation of the copter's weight. Teams should consider this when designing
and testing their drones.

Within Empty Weight Limit:

The total weight of the payload-dropping mechanism must be within the copter's empty weight as mentioned in the
rules. This ensures a fair competition.

These payload requirements are in place to maintain safety, fairness, and precision during the competition. Teams are
encouraged to design their payloads thoughtfully and adhere to these guidelines to ensure a successful and competitive
event.

Penalties for Payload Dimension Deviation:

Refer to the EVALUATION SCHEME section

Fig: payload dimensions are in mm

6 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
3. Phase 1 - Design Report

3.1 Original Work:

Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, requiring proper citation of all sources in the Technical Design Report;
consequences vary from disqualification to point deductions based on the severity of the offence.

3.2 Organization of Contents:

Design reports are written to be evaluated by judges. Therefore, it's important to structure the report in a way
that makes grading straightforward for the jury.

3.3 Design Report Specifications:

The design report for the project should adhere to specific guidelines, including a maximum page limit of thirty
(30) typewritten pages, encompassing the cover page, table of contents, and appendix. The main content
should not exceed 20 pages, while an additional 10 pages are allocated for supporting materials in the
appendix. All reports must be submitted in PDF format, with a required Arial 12-point proportional font. The
page size should be in A4 portrait format. Each design report's cover page, featuring the team's name, college
or university, and team number, is included in the 20-page limit. Teams must upload the technical report with
marked plans via the provided web link by the specified deadline. Submission deadlines for the Design Report
and 2D drawing plans are to be strictly adhered to, as outlined by Rotorcraft.

3.4 Electronic Document Specifications and Drawing Guidelines:

All plan sheets must adhere to A3 page (PDF) format. The plans should feature right side, top, front views and
isometric views. Crucial dimensions, including UAV length, width, height, and center of gravity, must be marked
in MMGS (millimetre gram seconds). Additionally, an informative table summarizing key UAV data, such as
dimensions, empty weight, and motor/engine specifications, should be incorporated. The weight and balance
table, detailing equipment, locations and the resultant center of gravity moment, is a mandatory inclusion. All
engineering drawings must indicate a designated UAV datum. (make it simpler)

4. PHASE2 – PRESENTATION AND FLYING COMPETITION

Phase 2 of the competition marks the transition from design theory to practical execution. Technical Inspection ensures
adherence to safety standards and rules. The Flying Round tests drones in real-world scenarios, evaluating performance,
stability, and efficiency, both manually and autonomously, to demonstrate the effective design and capabilities of the
aircraft.

4.1 Technical Presentation

4.1.1 Organization of Contents:

● Explain your team's thought processes and the engineering philosophy that led to your conclusions.

7 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
 ● Detail the methods, procedures, and relevant calculations used to arrive at your presented solution.
● These topics can be included in your presentation:
1. Rotorcraft configuration selection
2. Rotorcraft design, including rotor blades, hub, landing gear, etc.
3. Subsystem selection
4. Rotorcraft performance
5. Rotorcraft centre of gravity (C.G.), stability, and control
6. Design files and computational analysis can be used in presentation
7. Any other relevant aspects

4.1.2 Time Limit:

While there is no specific limit on the number of PowerPoint slides, your team must complete the presentation
within a maximum of 10 minutes. If your team is unable to finish the entire presentation within this time, you
will be stopped at the 10-minute mark. Following the presentation, there will be a 5-minute Q&A session with
the judging panel.

4.2 TECHNICAL INSPECTION

Technical Inspection is a pivotal phase in the Drone Design Challenge, ensuring that participating drones meet
rigorous safety and design standards. This process is designed to evaluate the technical aspects of the drones
and verify their compliance with competition rules and regulations. Technical Inspection plays a critical role in
ensuring the safety and fairness of the competition.

4.2.1 Technical Inspection Guidelines:

Power Module Check:
● Ensure a working power module for mission planning and GCS (Ground Control Station).
● Verify that the power module provides battery voltage indication.
Failsafe Mechanisms:
● Confirm the presence of failsafe mechanisms.
● RTL (Return to Launch) mode when the connection is lost.
● Motor or any other major failures trigger power cutoff.
● Voltage-based RTL activation: If the drone's voltage drops below 3.5V per cell, RTL mode must be
triggered.
Physical Inspection:
● Examine the entire frame, including screws, motors, propellers, and all connections.
● Ensure that the frame and components are in good condition and properly secured.
Design Report and Model Check:
● Review the provided design report and model of the drone.
● Ensure that the design aligns with competition guidelines and safety standards.

8 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
Voltage Check:
● Measure the voltage of the drone's battery cells.
● If the voltage falls below 3.5V per cell, it should automatically trigger the RTL mode as a safety
precaution.
Safety Assessment:
● The drone must undergo a safety assessment by the technical inspection team.
● If the drone is deemed safe to fly, it will be eligible to participate in the missions.
Geofencing Activation:
To enhance safety and compliance with airspace regulations, geofencing must be enabled on all multirotor
UAVs during the competition. The geofencing coordinates for the competition area will be provided to teams
on the day of the competition, ensuring that UAVs do not venture beyond approved boundaries.

4.3 FLYING ROUND

4.3.1 Mission 1 - Manual Flight Round:
In the first mission of the flying rounds, participating teams will engage in manual flight control of their multirotor
UAVs.The primary assessment for this mission will revolve around the copter's stability and the piloting skills
demonstrated by the team.

Here's a breakdown of what to expect during Mission 1:

● Manual Control: Teams will take their multi-rotors and manually pilot their multirotor UAVs through a
predetermined flight path.
● Stability Assessment: The judging criteria will emphasize the stability and control of the copter. This includes
evaluating the ability of the UAV to maintain a consistent and smooth flight throughout the mission. Any
instability may result in a points deduction.
● Piloting Skills: Teams will be assessed based on their piloting skills.

4.3.2 Mission 2 - Autonomous Flight Round:

Objective:
In Mission 2, teams will navigate an autonomous flight path with a designated payload drop zone. This round tests the
precision and efficiency of their drones in soft landing and payload release.

Mission Overview:
● Flight Path:
The provided flight path covers a total distance of 230 meters maximum.If the flight path is not exicuted then
points will be deducted.

● Payload Drop:
At a designated point along the flight path, the drone must perform a soft landing and autonomously release the
payload within the designated dropping zone.

● Autonomous Operation:
No team member is allowed to remove the payload manually from the drone. The payload release must be
commanded by the pilot via an RC (Radio Control).

9 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
 ● Additional Bonus Points:
Teams have the opportunity to earn bonus points by successfully mission planning the flight within a 5-minute
time limit. If the mission plan is approved, they will receive additional points.

Teams will be evaluated based on three key factors:

● Payload to Empty Weight Ratio: Points awarded based on the payload's weight relative to the drone's empty
weight.
● Time Taken to Complete the Round: Points are awarded for efficiently completing the mission.
● Battery Efficiency: Evaluate the power difference of the battery before and after the flight, rewarding efficient
power usage.

Scoring Criteria:
Payload to empty weight ratio(PEWR) = Payload carried/empty weight of aircraft,(weight of aircraft includes everything
except the payload)

P=PEWR * 100.

Minimum time taken to execute the mission(Tmin)

T=100 / Tmin

Efficiency = power before takeoff - power after landing. (power = voltage * capacity of battery)

E=100/Efficiency.

Round2 Final Points

R2 = P+T+E

Example:

R2 = (0.4*100)+(100/3.33)+(100/6)

=86.6 points

The team with the best-performing copter in terms of payload handling, efficiency, and precision will receive the highest
points in this autonomous flight round.

Safety Features:
All safety features, as outlined in the rulebook, must be enabled during the flight. Failure to comply with safety
regulations may result in immediate disqualification of the team.

10 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024
EVALUATION SCHEME:

JUDGING CRITERION POINTS

REPORT 50 POINTS

PRESENTATION 50 POINTS

ROUND 1 MANUAL 50 POINTS

MISSION PLAN 25 POINTS

ROUND2 AUTONOMOUS R2 POINTS

PENALTIES POINTS

PAYLOAD DIMENSION ±10-15% 10% of R2 will be deducted

PAYLOAD DIMENSION >15% 40% of R2 will be deducted

MULTIROTOR DIMENSION 3-5% 10 POINTS

MULTIROTOR DIMENSION >5% NOT ALLOWED

TOTAL REPORT+PRESENTATION+ROUND1+MISSION
PLAN+ROUND2-PAYLOAD DIMENSIONS-MULTIROTOR
DIMENSIONS

11 Page
10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY AEROCLUB NITTE|UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) DESIGN CHALLENGE – 2024