Medicine Hat will host a national student drone competition for a second time in 2027

AEAC officials say the competition has become a flagship national event for Canada’s growing remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft sector.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada, we are thrilled to announce the return of the AEAC Student UAS Competition to Medicine Hat in 2027,” AEAC chair Jordan Ciccoria said.

He said the success of the 2025 event demonstrated the strength of southeast Alberta’s aerospace ecosystem and the commitment of local partners.

“The Student UAS Competition has become one of Canada’s premier experiential learning opportunities in aerospace and autonomous systems,” Ciccoria said.

“Each year, students are challenged to solve real-world problems, work as multidisciplinary teams, and demonstrate technologies that will help shape the future of Canada’s RPAS sector.”

He added the organization looks forward to welcoming teams, sponsors, researchers, and industry leaders back to the city.

Local organizers say the event also highlights the region’s expanding aerospace sector.

“The region employs over 550 individuals directly in the UAS sector, with further growth expected,” Community Futures Entre-Corp general manager Sean Blewett said.

He said hosting the competition allows southeast Alberta to showcase its capabilities while connecting directly with emerging talent.

“The success of the 2025 competition demonstrated what can be achieved when industry, education, government, and community partners work together,” Blewett said.

“We are excited to build on that momentum and welcome competitors, sponsors, and visitors back to Medicine Hat in 2027.”

The 2025 competition, also held in Medicine Hat, featured 19 registered university teams from across Canada, with 15 teams and more than 175 students taking part in flight operations.

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READ: Autonomous wildfire response an aim of national drone competition in Medicine Hat (May 11, 2025)

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Organizers say the region’s aerospace cluster, including local Remotley Piloted Aircraft System companies, the Foremost UAS Test Range, the Dave Rozdeba South Alberta Flight Academy and nearby federal research facilities, continues to position southeast Alberta as a hub for drone innovation and training.

The AEAC Student UAS Competition is Canada’s longest-running national student event dedicated to uncrewed aerial systems, providing hands-on experience in engineering, robotics, software development, and flight operations while connecting students with industry and government partners.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat will host a national student drone competition for a second time in 2027

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