Below is a copy of the press release for this years challenge. We will be back again to find "Outback Joe" this year.

We are pleased to announce that the UAV Challenge - Outback Rescue will take place in 2009 in the regional Queensland town of Kingaroy. The event will take place on 28 September - 1 October 2009.

Aerospace students and enthusiasts alike will again have the opportunity to find and assist 'Outback Joe', a lost bush walker in Australia's vast outback, using UAVs.

We look forward to your continued enthusiasm and support for this event.

See you in Kingaroy!

UAV Challenge rules

The 2009 UAV Challenge rules will be similar to those of 2008. Minor adjustments will be made in the next month. When complete, the new rules document will be made available online.

Register for the UAV Challenge

Register for the 2009 Challenge here. This form will be uploaded onto the website shortly.

Sponsor the 2009 UAV Challenge

The 2008 UAV Challenge received overwhelming support from the aviation and aerospace industry. This support helped to make the event the huge success that it was.

We are now seeking support for the 2009 UAV Challenge. To receive a sponsorship kit, please contact:

Liesl Larsen
Telephone: 07 3224 7134
Email: liesl.larsen@dtrdi.qld.gov.au

2008 UAV Challenge - Outback Rescue winners and finalists

Congratulations to all participants in the 2008 UAV Challenge for making it a great success.

Airborne Delivery Documentary Challenge
Winner: Brisbane Boys’ College – Bash, Burn and Crash ($2,000)

Search and Rescue Documentary Challenge
Winner: Mueller College - MUROC Bush Masters ($8,000)

Airborne Delivery Encouragement Award (donated by RD Collins and Associates)
Winner: TSHS Mt Lofty ($500)

Steven M Sliwa Search and Rescue Encouragement Award (donated by Insitu)
Winner: Missouri S&T UAV Team ($500)

Airborne Delivery Challenge
Winner: Mueller College - MUROC Bush Pilots ($10,000)

Search and Rescue Challenge
Despite impressive demonstrations of autonomous UAV flight, unfortunately no teams were able to rescue Outback Joe this year. As a result, encouragement awards were provided based on technical reports, inspections and practice flights.

Finalists:
Telemasters ($5,000)
Missouri S&T UAV Team ($3,000)
QUT SRUAV 08 ($1,000)