Section 5 - The Drone

Overview

All Drones must pass inspection before they compete. Inspections usually happen during check-in and practice. Use these rules to check your own Drone before you arrive.

Inspection Rules

<D1> Each Team competes with its own Drone. Each Team needs its own Drone that has passed inspection. A Team may bring a second Drone (or more) to the event, but it may not be shared with or used by another Team. Only one of a Team’s Drones may be powered on, paired, or connected to the Field Control System during a Match.

1. A Team may switch Drones between Matches only if the other Drone has also passed inspection as that Team’s Drone (D4, D8, D9).
2. Teams may not switch Drones during a Match.

<D2> Teams must use the VEX Robotics AIR Competition Drone and official accessories.

1. These parts from the VEX AIR Competition Drone Kit (737-9000) are legal:
   • VEX AIR Competition Drone
   • VEX AIR Drone Controller
   • Passive Module
   • Motorized Module
   • Magnetic Module
   • VEX AIR Drone Battery (LiPo 1200 mAh)
   • VEX AIR Drone Battery (LiPo 900 mAh)
   • VEX AIR Communication Headset
   • 4-Blade Propeller - Orange / Gray
   • Landing Feet
2. Any part not listed above is not considered legal for use in the VEX AIR Drone Competition, unless used as a decoration in accordance with D10.
3. Modification of any official VEX AIR part is not legal in the VEX AIR Drone Competition.

<D3> Drones and Controllers must be updated to the latest firmware. Drones and Controllers must run the latest firmware to pass inspection and compete.

<D4> Drones must pass inspection. A Drone must pass a full inspection before it competes. A Drone found breaking a Drone rule at the Field is removed from Matches or Disqualified until it is fixed.

1. Inspectors or the Head Referee may spot-check a Drone at any time during the event.

This rule changes at leagues. See L3.

<D5> One Battery at a time. A Drone may use only one official VEX AIR Drone Battery at a time.

<D6> One Module at a time. A Drone may use only one official VEX AIR Drone Module at a time.

<D7> Drone LED Status Indicator must remain visible at all times. Don’t cover the LED Status Indicator next to the power button.

<D8> Officially registered Team numbers must be displayed on Drone. Register on events.vex.com to get your VEX AIR Team Number. Display it clearly on top of the Drone, using the Team Number stickers from your welcome kit, a marker, or custom stickers.

<D9> Officially registered Team numbers must be set in the Controller. Before each Match, the Team Number in your Controller must match your registered Team Number, so the Field Control System and the event software can identify your Drone.

1. A Controller with a missing or wrong Team Number can’t connect to the Field Control System until it is fixed, and the Team may be treated as not ready to play (GG3).

<D10> Decorations are allowed. Decorations must not affect how the Drone performs or how a Match turns out, and must fit the spirit of the competition. They can’t cover the LED Status Indicator (D7) or the Team Number (D8). Inspectors and Head Referees decide what counts as a decoration.

<D11> Fly with undamaged propellers, propeller guards, and Landing Feet. Propellers and propeller guards (nacelles) wear down with normal flying. Damage alone doesn’t fail inspection, but Teams should fly with undamaged parts whenever they can.

1. Before each Match, check every propeller and guard, and replace any propeller that is chipped, cracked, bent, or missing part of a blade. Spare propellers from the kit are legal (D2). Propellers may not be changed during a Match (GG11a).
2. All four Landing Feet must be attached and undamaged to pass inspection and before each Match. A missing or broken Landing Foot can be replaced between Matches, or while handling the Drone during a Match (GG11).
3. A Drone with damage that could make flight unsafe can’t fly until it is fixed. For example, a guard missing enough to expose the propeller, or a guard that touches the propeller. Inspectors and the Head Referee decide what is unsafe (S1, D4).
4. Cosmetic damage, such as scuffs, scratches, and marks that don’t affect flight, is fine.