The Flying Donkey Challenge Mission, rules, judging & rewards V1.2, 6th January 2014 (subject to regular updates and change) Contact details Fondation Bundi-Afrotech QIE.0 EPFL 1015 Lausanne Suisse fly@flyingdonkey.org
Table of Contents Contact details...0 1 Overview...3 1.1 Objective...3 1.2 The Flying Donkey* Challenge...3 1.3 *Flying Donkey definitions...3 1.4 Tracks...3 1.5 Schedule & location...3 1.6 Rules & criteria...4 1.7 Team selection and judging...4 1.8 Grants & rewards...4 1.9 Stakeholders...4 2 Objective...6 2.1 Vision...6 2.2 Spirit and intent of the Challenge...6 3 The Flying Donkey Challenge...7 3.1 24 hours around Mount Kenya...7 4 Flying Donkey definitions...8 4.1 Flying Donkey...8 4.2 Cargo...8 4.3 Container...8 4.4 Ground Station...8 4.5 Low Altitude Flight Corridor...8 4.6 Flight Rules...8 5 Annual event & tracks...9 5.1 Technology...9 5.2 Legal...9 5.3 Logistics...9 5.4 Design...9 6 Schedule, dates & location for 2014... 10 6.1 Dates... 10 6.2 Location & coordinates... 10 6.3 Landing strips coordinates:... 11 6.4 New location proposals... 11 7 Rules and criteria... 12 7.1 Worldwide participants with African cooperation... 12 7.2 Navigation systems... 12 7.3 Ground handling... 12 7.4 Airworthiness and competencies... 12 Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 1 -
7.5 Communication... 12 7.6 Flight safety procedures and systems... 12 7.7 Autonomous flight tests... 13 8 Team selection, qualification & judging... 14 8.1 Registration... 14 8.2 Written application... 14 8.3 Technical report and videos... 14 8.4 Interview and presentation... 14 8.5 Confirmation and grant allocation... 14 8.6 Pre-flight inspection... 14 8.7 Sub-challenges (flying missions)... 14 8.8 Sub-challenges (non flying)... 14 9 Grants and rewards... 15 9.1 Team grants... 15 9.2 Sub-challenges... 15 9.3 Challenge prize awards... 15 Disclaimer... 16 Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 2 -
1 Overview 1.1 Objective The Flying Donkey Challenge aims to drive innovation, collaboration and the foundations to implement large scale unmanned civilian air cargo delivery services in Africa and beyond. 1.2 The Flying Donkey* Challenge The first Flying Donkey around Mount Kenya in under 24 hours, delivering and collecting 20 kilo payloads along the way. 1.3 *Flying Donkey definitions The following definitions are subject to final approval from the competent Civil Aviation Authorities (e.g. KCAA). Flying Donkey: an unmanned cargo aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 60 kilos (i.e. fixed wing, rotary or lighter than air aircraft). Cargo Hold: minimum volume of at least 0.126m 3 with easy access and space to fit two carry-on suitcases (i.e. 45x25x56cm each). Ground Station: a cleared dirt surface (max slope of 5%), minimum 50m by 10m, with at least two 15 approach/departing sectors with no surrounding obstacles above a 10 angle from the centre and at a maximum altitude of 2 500m above sea level. Low Altitude Flight Corridor: Uncontrolled segregated airspace (i.e. Flying Donkeys only). Minimum width = 200m (aircraft must be able to perform a u-turn inside the corridor). Minimum altitude above ground level = 50m. Maximum altitude above ground level = 300m. Flight Rules: Minimum visibility = 500m, clear of cloud. 1.4 Tracks The Challenge will be broken down into four separate tracks to address the various issues and find the best solutions: 1) Technology 2) Legal 3) Logistics 4) Design 1.5 Schedule & location Starting in November 2014, annual events will be organised in Africa to demonstrate progress in each track. Once all tracks have achieved their objectives, teams will be able to enter the Flying Donkey Challenge. The Flying Donkey Challenge will be organized annually until 2020. The first event will take place in Northern Kenya. Following sub-challenges may be organized in other African countries with similar facilities. The Flying Donkey Challenge will take place in several locations around Mount Kenya. Certain qualifying events will be organised regionally and some sub-challenges, such a simulations and logistic designs, can be presented online. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 3 -
1.6 Rules & criteria Worldwide entrants to the Flying Donkey Challenge must collaborate with a recognized African higher education school or laboratory. Flying Donkeys must demonstrate that they meet all the design and safety criteria before they can participate in a sub-challenge. Sub-challenge rules will be set and escalated annually. Existing landing strips, shorter distances, slower flight speeds, smaller payloads will be used for subchallenges. Flying Donkey without Cargo Hold (i.e. no payload) can be used to win certain sub-challenges. Teams will have to demonstrate that they comply with all applicable laws, regulations, certifications, licensing, taxes and insurances before they can fly their aircrafts. 1.7 Team selection and judging Selection of teams will be based on specific sequential and prerequisite milestones, deliverables and activities: Registration October 2013 Written application 28 th February 2014 Technical report and videos March 2014 Interview and presentation April/May 2014 Confirmation and grant allocations June 2014 In Kenya November 2014: Pre-flight inspection Missions A maximum of 15 teams will be accepted every year for the sub-challenges and up to 5 teams can enter the Flying Donkey Challenge. 1.8 Grants & rewards Up to US$ 2 million will be granted annually to teams applying for tracks, sub-challenges or participating in the Flying Donkey Challenge. Up to US$ 1 million will be awarded annually to winners of sub-challenges. US$ 2 million will be shared between the first three teams to successfully complete the Flying Donkey Challenge (not before 2018). 1.9 Stakeholders World-leading researchers, inventors and suppliers of pilotless systems Operators of delivery services (post, courier, logistics, e-commerce) Representatives of government authorities (legal, regulatory, certification, licensing, data protection & privacy) Insurance and safety specialists Architects and designers of flying donkey Ground Stations Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 4 -
Northern Kenya community elders, conservationists, businesses Sponsors Media Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 5 -
2 Objective The Flying Donkey Challenge aims to drive innovation, technical/design excellence, safety, collaboration and the foundations to implement large scale unmanned civilian air cargo delivery services in Africa and beyond. 2.1 Vision 2014: first sub challenges for flying donkeys held in Africa, including African engineers, lawyers, logisticians and designers 2018: Mount Kenya race winners set up shop in Africa 2019: several bot cargo companies close their funding round; regulatory approval 2020: first flying donkey stations; regular service to African ranches, lodges, and remote government and missionary stations 2025: flying donkey networks in several African countries, connecting communities, creating jobs, and enabling ecommerce 2030: flying donkey networks globally; safety record equals commercial airlines 2035: lessons applied to space logistics 2.2 Spirit and intent of the Challenge The organisers and judges reserve the right to take action against participants that do not act in the spirit and intent of the Challenge. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 6 -
3 The Flying Donkey Challenge (2018) The first Flying Donkey around Mount Kenya in under 24 hours, delivering and collecting 20 kilo payloads along the way. 3.1 24 hours around Mount Kenya Final location of Ground Stations and Flight Corridors to be confirmed: Total distance = ~200km Ground Stations along the route = 6 Number of delivery & collection missions = 3 Maximum distance between Ground Stations = 50km Coordinates of the Ground Stations and Flight Corridors will be sent to registered participants. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 7 -
4 Flying Donkey definitions The following definitions are subject to final approval from the competent Civil Aviation Authorities (e.g. www.kcaa.or.ke). 4.1 Flying Donkey A Flying Donkey (FD) is an authorized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that can carry Cargo, with a maximum takeoff weight of 60 kilos. The aeronautical design can be fixed wing, rotary or lighter than air. The powertrain can be either combustion or electric. The total Bill of Materials (BOM) and energy consumption must be readily available and low-cost. 4.2 Cargo Hold A Flying Donkey will hold cargo with a minimum volume of 0.126m 3 (i.e. 126 litres) with access and space to fit two standardised Containers. 4.3 Container Container volume will be 0.063m 3, have a maximum weight of 10 kilos and the following dimensions (i.e. maximum carry-on luggage size): Height = 45cm Width = 25cm Length = 56cm 4.4 Ground Station Ground Stations are used for manual loading and unloading of containerised payloads, refuelling/recharging and maintaining/repairing Flying Donkeys. A Ground Station is a cleared dirt surface (max slope of 5%), at least 50m by 10m, with at least two 15 approach/departing sectors with no obstacles above a 10 angle from the centre and at a maximum altitude of 2 500m above sea level. Coordinates and specifications of all Ground Stations will be provided to registered participants. 4.5 Low Altitude Flight Corridor Low Altitude Flight Corridors connect Ground Stations. They are used for transit or to hold a position (i.e. a FD must be able to perform a 180 turn inside the corridor). Flight Corridors are uncontrolled and segregated airspace (i.e. for FDs only): Minimum width = 200m Minimum altitude above ground level = 50m (AGL) Maximum altitude above ground level = 300m (AGL) Waypoints and boundary coordinates of Flight Corridors will be provided to registered participants. 4.6 Flight Rules Flying Donkeys with follow visual flight rules: Minimum visibility = 500m, clear of cloud Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 8 -
5 Annual event & tracks Starting in November 2014, annual events will be held in Africa to demonstrate progress in each track. Once all tracks have achieved their objectives, teams will be able to enter the Flying Donkey Challenge. The Flying Donkey Challenge will be organized annually until 2020. 5.1 Technology Sense & avoid GPS denied navigation Safety systems Payload & energy efficiency Anti-tampering 5.2 Legal Framework Regulation & certification Responsibility and liability Licensing & taxes 5.3 Logistics Ground handling Air operations Warehousing Operating costs 5.4 Design Flying Donkey Ground Station Business Plan competition Simulations Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 9 -
6 Schedule, dates & location for 2014 The first annual event will take place in Northern Kenya. Certain sub-challenges, such a design simulations and legal papers, can be entered remotely. 6.1 Dates 8-16 November 2014 6.2 Location & coordinates Kenya s Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) www.nrt-kenya.org and Nairobi. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy www.lewa.org (Challenge HQ) Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 10 -
6.3 Landing strips coordinates: Name N E Kalama Airstrip 0 41.613' 37 36.601' Kiltamany school 0 38.719' 37 28.517' Sasaab Airstrip 0 38.086' 37 23.043' Ngutuk ongiron school 0 42.190' 37 20.834' Wamba Airstrip 0 58.648' 37 18.962' Sereolippi Airstrip 1 7.128' 37 36.110' Ndondo Airstrip 1 3.441' 37 26.152' Ndonyowasi landing field 1 21.178' 37 28.146' Kipsing school 0 36.041' 37 14.738' Kauro Airstrip 1 3.869' 37 42.992' Kom field 1 4.878' 38 2.482' Koya 1 22.160' 37 57.396' 6.4 New location proposals Stakeholders from other African countries wishing to host the tracks and sub-challenges are invited to contact the organisers by email fly@flyingdonkey.org. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 11 -
7 Rules and criteria Sub-challenge rules will be set and escalated annually. Existing landing strips, shorter distances, slower flight speeds, smaller payloads will be used for sub-challenges. Lighter Flying Donkeys can be used to win sub-challenges. Flying Donkeys must demonstrate that they meet all the design and safety criteria before they can participate in a sub-challenge. Teams will have to demonstrate that they comply with all applicable laws, regulations, certifications, licensing, taxes and insurances before they can fly their aircrafts. 7.1 Worldwide participants with African cooperation The event is open to worldwide entrants but teams entering the Flying Donkey Challenge must collaborate with a recognized higher education African school or laboratory. The organisers can help with introductions. 7.2 Navigation systems No radio navigation, visual or electronic approach systems will be supplied by the organisers. Participants can propose and install Navigation Systems at the Ground Stations to help with landing and takeoff provided they are legal and do not interfere with other solutions. No Navigation Systems can be installed along Flight Corridors. 7.3 Ground handling Taxing, parking and handling will be done manually by team staff (assisted by local community members). 7.4 Airworthiness and competencies Aircraft specifications Visual inspection Ground Control System and operator proficiency Ground crew training and equipment Liability and insurance Ground handling and flight demonstration Black Box (flight log file compliance) Challenge tracking/safety module 7.5 Communication Spectrum choice and compliance Radio Licenses Ground Station approach, landing and take-off system (if applicable) 7.6 Flight safety procedures and systems Engine failure Controller failure Loss of Data link Ground Station navigation system (radio or visual) Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 12 -
Positioning system failure Boundary crossing Ground Control System lock-up Flight termination procedures (hold, return, abort) 7.7 Autonomous flight tests Autonomous take-off from a Ground Station Autonomous landing at a Ground Station Fixed object sense and avoid Flying object sense and avoid Holding pattern inside a Flight Corridor Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 13 -
8 Team selection, qualification & judging Selection of teams will be based on specific sequential and prerequisite deliverables and activities. Pre-qualification stages will happen online and regionally. On-site qualifications will happen before each flying mission (i.e. sub-challenges and Flying Donkey Challenge). A maximum of 15 teams will be accepted every year for the sub-challenges and up-to five teams can enter the Flying Donkey Challenge. Selected Flying Donkey Challenge teams will need to send monthly progress reports that will be published on the Challenge website. Judges decisions are final. 8.1 Registration Online from October 2013 8.2 Written application Sent before end of February 2014 http://www.flyingdonkey.org/application-form/ 8.3 Technical report and videos Sent before end of March 2014 8.4 Interview and presentation Online or regionally, April/May 2014 8.5 Confirmation and grant allocation June 2014 8.6 Pre-flight inspection NRT, Kenya, November 8-9, 2014 8.7 Sub-challenges (flying missions) NRT, Kenya, November 10-12, 2014 Details provided online http://www.flyingdonkey.org/the-challenge/. 8.8 Sub-challenges (non flying) Nairobi, Kenya, November 13-14, 2014 Details provided online http://www.flyingdonkey.org/the-challenge/. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 14 -
9 Grants and rewards Grants will be allocated to the best team applications. Prize money is to reward significant contributions and achievements and paid to the team. 9.1 Team grants Up to US$ 2 million will be granted annually to teams applying for tracks, sub-challenges or participating in the Flying Donkey Challenge. 9.2 Sub-challenges Up to US$ 1 million will be awarded annually to winners of track objectives and sub-challenges. 9.3 Challenge prize awards US$ 2 million of prize money will be award to the first (three) team(s) to complete the Flying Donkey Challenge. Points will be given to classify teams that have successfully finished the mission. Points (positive or negative) for: Shortest mission time Energy costs Airframe damage and repair costs Payload damage Collateral damage compensation costs Flying Donkey bill of materials Details of scoring system will be provided to the participants. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 15 -
Disclaimer Rules are subject to change. They will be published on the website www.flyingdonkey.org and sent to registered teams. Bundi-Afrotech, QIE.0, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Suisse (Rules V1.2) - 16 -