Drones fly in Harbour Festival competition

A race to see who flies the fastest drone from a floating cardboard aircraft carrier took place at the Bristol Harbour Festival.  Teams of graduate engineers competed against each other to see which one has produced the best design.  This is the first time such an event has taken place.  Each team will design and build a cardboard aircraft carrier that is stable enough to support its drone and a team of two ‘sailors’.  The task will be to launch the drone and race it along a defined course before returning it to their vessel.  The rules for the competition were drawn up by Lt Cdr Jon Sutcliff of HMS PRINCE OF WALES, the aircraft carrier affiliated with the City of Bristol.  ‘The challenges for the teams are enormous,’ explained Jon Sutcliff.  ‘The graduate engineers can modify their drone to improve its speed and agility.  Also, the crew member on-board their cardboard aircraft carrier will need to communicate with its land-based team while also navigating the drone.’