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Changelog

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Version	Date	Changes
1.1	November 6, 2026	Updates based on early gameplay testing and feedback.
1.0	October 8, 2026	Initial release for the 2026-2027 season

Game Manual Updates

The latest version of this manual is always at AIRmanual.vex.com.

Scheduled updates add relevant Q&A answers to the rules, make rules clearer, and include any major changes. They come out when the Game Design Committee decides they are needed, on a Thursday by 5:00 PM CST (11:00 PM GMT). They are announced on the VEX Forum and through VEX Robotics social media. Small fixes for typos and grammar may be released at any time, outside this schedule.

Each update takes effect seven days after it is released, so an event that starts before then uses the previous version. Urgent safety or fairness fixes may take effect right away. Older versions stay available for reference all season. Leagues use the version in effect at the start of each session.

The Q&A System

If you can’t find the answer to a rules question after reading the manual, your Team’s Adult representative can ask the Game Design Committee in the official Q&A at events.vex.com. Q&A answers are official rulings and take effect as soon as they are posted.

Before posting:

• Use the Q&A only for rules questions.
• Only registered Teams, certified Event Partners, and certified VEX AIR Head Referees can post.
• Search this manual and the existing Q&As first.
• Quote the rule you are asking about from the latest version of the manual.
• Ask one question per post, with a clear title.
• Questions are answered (mostly) in the order they are received.
• The Game Design Committee will not overrule a Head Referee’s decision at an event.

Rules and Q&A answers from earlier seasons, including the 2025-26 Pick & Drop Game Manual (v0.1.1), do not apply this season. If you still need an answer, ask again in this season’s Q&A.

Hierarchy of Information

Official rulings come from these sources, in this order:

1. This Game Manual, including all published updates.
2. The official Q&A. If a Q&A answer conflicts with the manual, the Q&A answer applies until a manual update addresses it.
3. Other VEX Robotics and Global Robotics and Science Foundation documents and training materials.

The Code of Conduct, the Student-Centered Policy, and the Student Eligibility Policy are the final word on their own topics. No other source is official.

Rules Reference Guide

Scoring Rules
SC1	All scoring statuses for Scoring Objects, Goals, and Landed Drones are evaluated after the Match ends
SC2	Scoring status for Ring Tunnel Passes is evaluated during the Match
SC3	All scoring statuses are evaluated visually by a Head Referee
SC4	Orbit Ball Scored on the Pole Goal
SC5	Orbit Ball Scored in the Drop Tower Goal
SC6	Orbit Ball Scored in the Drop Zone Goal
SC7	Cargo Scored on the Cargo Platform Goal
SC8	White Scoring Objects are wildcards
SC9	Ring Tunnel Pass criteria (maximum two per Match)
SC10	Drone Landed on a Field Platform
SC11	Obstacle Completion Bonus criteria
SC12	Goal Bonus criteria
SC13	One Scoring System is in effect for each Match

Specific Game Rules
SG1	Starting a Match
SG2	Keep Scoring Objects in the Field
SG3	A Drone may carry or control an unlimited number of Scoring Objects

Safety Rules
S1	Be safe out there
S2	Students must be accompanied by an Adult
S3	Drones stay inside the Field
S4	Wear safety glasses
S5	Hands away when propellers are spinning
S6	Controllers are tethered to whoever is flying
S7	Keep at least two feet (60 cm) away from other flying Drones

General Rules
G1	Participants must follow the Code of Conduct
G2	Participants must follow the Student-Centered Policy
G3	Use common sense
G4	Students must meet the Student Eligibility Policy requirements and have a completed participant release form on file
G5	There is a difference between accidentally and willfully violating a Drone rule

General Game Rules
GG1	Flight Team Members fly their Drones, and stay in the Flight Station
GG2	A Team’s Drone should attend every Match
GG3	Drones on the Field must be ready to play
GG4	Flight Team Members must be Fit to Fly
GG5	Hands out of the Field
GG7	Match Replays are allowed, but rare
GG8	Disqualifications
GG9	Drones hover at the end of the Match
GG10	Downed Drones wait until all Drones are in Prop Lock
GG11	Handling the Drone mid-Match is allowed only under certain circumstances
GG12	Timeouts start automatically

Drone Skills Rules
DSC1	Standard rules apply in most cases
DSC2	One Team, one Drone
DSC3	Scoring Drone Skills Matches
DSC4	Drone and Field setup
DSC5	Handling the Drone is allowed, but the clock runs
DSC6	Piloting Skills Matches
DSC7	Autonomous Skills Matches
DSC8	Skills Stop Time

Inspection Rules
D1	Each Team competes with its own Drone
D2	Teams must use the VEX Robotics AIR Competition Drone and official accessories
D3	Drones and Controllers must be updated to the latest firmware
D4	Drones must pass inspection
D5	One Battery at a time
D6	One Module at a time
D7	Drone LED Status Indicator must remain visible at all times
D8	Officially registered Team numbers must be displayed on Drone
D9	Officially registered Team numbers must be set in the Controller
D10	Decorations are allowed
D11	Fly with undamaged propellers, propeller guards, and Landing Feet

Tournament Rules
T1	Head Referees have ultimate and final authority on all gameplay and Drone ruling decisions during an event
T2	Head Referees must be qualified
T3	Flight Team Members are permitted to immediately appeal the Head Referee’s ruling
T4	The Event Partner has ultimate authority regarding all non-gameplay decisions
T5	Be prepared for minor Field variance
T6	Fields and Field Elements may be repaired at the Event Partner’s discretion
T7	Fields at an event must be consistent with each other
T8	Qualification Matches follow the official Match Schedule
T9	Every Team plays the same number of Qualification Matches
T10	Scoring Systems rotate by Round and are revealed at the start of each Round
T11	Teams are ranked by their average Qualification Match score
T12	Qualification ranking tiebreakers
T13	Alliance Selection
T14	Half of the Teams at an event advance to the Finals Matches
T15	Finals Matches decide the Teamwork Champions
T16	Ties in Finals Matches lead to limited rematches
T17	Skills Match schedule
T18	Skills Fields must be consistent with each other
T19	Drone Skills Matches are always played under Scoring System A
T20	Skills rankings
T21	League events

League Rules
L1	Leagues are Tournaments played across multiple sessions
L2	League structure
L3	Drones are inspected at every session
L4	Rounds and Scoring Systems continue across sessions
L5	League rankings
L6	Drone Skills Matches at leagues
L7	The League Finals session