Engineer the skies
Aviation & Drones
Teams design gliders, fixed-wing aircraft and drones, then prove them in flight tasks that test control, endurance and safe operation.
Aviation & Drones is one of 12 competition categories in TechFest Australia, a national technology competition and festival for Australian school students and young innovators. It is open to Junior (Years 3–6), Secondary (Years 7–12), Tertiary (University or TAFE) and Open (Ages 18–30) entries.
The 2027 challenge
Design a drone or aircraft that serves remote Australia, such as carrying medical supplies to a station, checking fence lines or spotting stock, while flying within the competition safety rules.
Example projects
- Hand-launched glider tuned for the longest possible flight time
- Drone that inspects a water tank or windmill and reports damage
- Autonomous delivery drone that lands a small package on a marked pad
Flagship challenge
Drone Search & Rescue
Find them fast. Report them right.
Teams program a drone to search a defined area, detect simulated casualties marked on the ground and report their exact positions. The mission ends with a precise drop of a small aid package on the right target. Speed counts, but accuracy and safe flying count more. This challenge is planned. The flying format depends on the venue and on the approvals the aviation rules require.
- Divisions
- Secondary · Tertiary · Open
- Team
- 2–5
- Format
- Timed search flight
- Mission
- Locate targets + drop aid kit
Season 2027 dates
- Registrations open
- To be announced
- Registrations close
- 19 February 2027
- Proposals due
- 26 February 2027
- National final and festival
- 30 September 2027 to 3 October 2027
Indicative dates, final schedule to be confirmed. The entry fee for the 2027 season will be published before registrations open.