Stinson Aerial Services Returns as Proud Sponsor of the 2026 AEAC National Student UAS Competition
We’re thrilled to announce that Stinson Aerial Services Inc. is returning as a sponsor of the 2026 AEAC National Annual Student Competition — and for the second consecutive year, we’re proud to be sponsoring the Pip Rudkin Perseverance Award, recognizing the student team that demonstrates outstanding grit, determination, and resilience throughout the competition.
The Aerial Evolution Association of Canada (AEAC) hosts Canada’s premier university-level drone design competition, challenging student teams from across the country to design, build, and fly Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) around a real-world scenario. This year’s challenge is particularly exciting: teams are tasked with designing an aerial urban firefighting system for a fictitious Big City Fire Department — completing fire reconnaissance missions, delivering firefighting equipment, and autonomously extinguishing targets, all while complying with simulated air traffic management protocols.
The 2026 event takes place May 21–24 at AREA X.O in Nepean, Ontario — a world-class UAS test and demonstration facility in Canada’s capital region — and is expected to draw top engineering talent from universities and colleges nationwide.
Our connection to this competition runs deep. Tim Stinson has been a volunteer Competition Committee Member since 2020, and we’ve seen firsthand how this event pushes students to develop real skills in systems engineering, project management, flight operations, and regulatory compliance. The teams that come through this competition are the next generation of RPAS professionals in Canada — and we’re honoured to play a small part in that journey.
If you’re a student team, instructor, or drone industry professional and want to learn more, aerialevolution.ca.