EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 2, 2015) — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 attendees can exhibit their own skills at the controls of unmanned flying machines as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University hosts the Small Unmanned Aerospace System (sUAS) Challenge during this year’s fly-in. The 63rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The sUAS Challenge, which will include both obstacle and speed courses for the unmanned flying vehicles commonly referred to as drones, is an exciting addition to EAA’s Aviation Gateway Park at AirVenture 2015. Daily competitions will be held beginning July 19, the day before AirVenture’s opening day, through July 26.
“Aviation Gateway Park is already going to be one of the liveliest places to be during AirVenture 2015, and this sUAS Challenge will bring even more interest to the area that focuses on aviation fun, opportunities and innovation,” said Dave Chaimson, EAA’s vice president of marketing and business development. “Our thanks go to Embry-Riddle for creating this competition as a way to draw more people into the possibilities of flight.”
The sUAS Challenge is open to participants ages 10 and up, with a maximum of 15 competitors each day registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Each day’s challenge will be held separately at the drone cage at Aviation Gateway Park, beginning with an afternoon operators’ meeting followed by competition from 3-5 p.m. There will be qualification flying followed by an elimination bracket for the final four competitors each day.
“This is a terrific, fun way to get people involved in hands-on flying and the whole new world of unmanned aerial vehicles, and we’re very excited to be involved with EAA to bring this challenge to Oshkosh,” said David Thirtyacre, Embry-Riddle Assistant Professor who is coordinating the contest.
Participants may register in advance at [email protected] or during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at the Embry-Riddle Experience exhibit at Aviation Gateway Park. Unmanned aircraft will be supplied for competitors courtesy of Hobbico and Horizon Hobby, LLC, including Blade 180QX HD or Dromida Ominus systems. Weather or other factors may cause alterations or cancellation of each day’s competition.
About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 75 baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs with residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations around the globe, and through online programs. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.
