Medicine Hat To Fly High As Top Students Compete In National Drone Championship

Medicine Hat to Host Canada’s Top Student Drone Contest 2027

In a move that highlights the city’s growing reputation as a hub for drone technology and innovation, Medicine Hat, Alberta has been named as the host city for the 18th annual Aerial Evolution Association of Canada (AEAC) Student Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Competition. The competition, scheduled to take place from May 14 to 16, 2027, will bring together Canada’s top university and college teams to design, build, and demonstrate advanced drones in a real-world mission scenario.

The choice of Medicine Hat as the host city is not a coincidence, given the city’s established reputation as a center for drone manufacturing and innovation. The city is home to several major players in the industry, including UVAD, Landing Zones, and QinetiQ, which have all contributed to the growth of the local aerospace sector.

The AEAC competition has been a significant event in the Canadian drone community for over a decade, and its return to Medicine Hat marks the second time the city will host the event. The 2025 contest drew 19 registered university teams, with 15 advancing to the Phase II flight competition, and it is expected that this year’s event will attract an even larger field of competitors.

The success of the 2025 event was due in part to the strong support of local partners, including the Medicine Hat RCers Flying Club, which provided the workspace for teams to develop and maintain their equipment. The partnership between the university and college teams and local industry partners has been a key factor in the competition’s growth and success.

The 2027 event will build on this success, with teams competing in a real-world mission scenario that will test their skills and creativity. The AEAC chair, Jordan Ciccoria, praised the return of Medicine Hat as the host city, stating that it demonstrates the strength of the aerospace ecosystem in southeast Alberta and the commitment of local partners to support the next generation of innovators.

The choice of Medicine Hat as the host city is also significant because of its proximity to Canadian Forces Base Suffield, which is home to Defence Research and Development Canada. This proximity has been a major factor in the growth of the local aerospace sector, and it is expected that the 2027 event will continue to benefit from this location.

Medicine Hat’s growing reputation as a hub for drone technology and innovation is also driven by its presence within an aerospace cluster anchored by Canadian Forces Base Suffield. The cluster supports over 550 direct jobs in the aerospace sector, which is a significant contribution to the local economy.

Southeast Alberta has established itself as a major player in the global drone industry, with companies such as UVAD, Landing Zones, and QinetiQ all operating in the region. The city’s proximity to Canadian Forces Base Suffield has been a major factor in its growth, as it provides access to defense-research facilities and a pool of skilled engineers and technicians.

The aerospace sector in southeast Alberta supports over 550 direct jobs, which is a significant contribution to the local economy. This is particularly notable given that Medicine Hat has a population of fewer than 65,000 residents. The concentration of industry in the region is a testament to the strength of the local economy and its ability to support a growing aerospace sector.

The return of Medicine Hat as the host city for the AEAC competition marks the second time the city will have hosted the event. The 2025 contest drew 19 registered university teams, with 15 advancing to the Phase II flight competition, and it is expected that this year’s event will attract an even larger field of competitors.

The University of British Columbia UAS design team took second place in the 2025 competition, while Carleton University’s Blackbird UAV team took third. These results demonstrate the strength of the local teams and their commitment to innovation and excellence.

Foremost BVLOS Range: A Critical Component

One aspect of the southeast Alberta drone story that has received less attention is the Foremost UAS test range, one of only two dedicated beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight-testing sites in Canada. The Foremost range was closed in September 2025 due to funding issues, but it is now set to reopen with a new operating model.

The reopening of the Foremost range will provide an additional level of testing and validation for drone systems, which will be critical in supporting the growth of the industry. The range’s proximity to Medicine Hat will also make it easier for student teams to access and utilize its facilities.

The Alberta provincial government has announced over $1 million in funding for aerospace and defense sector growth, including $200,000 specifically to Community Futures Entre-Corp, a Medicine Hat organization, to design a sustainable operating model for the Foremost range. This investment will help ensure that the range remains operational and continues to support the growth of the industry.

What This Means for the Aerospace Pipeline

The AEAC competition is not just about showcasing innovation and excellence; it is also about building the pipeline for future talent. The teams that compete in the 2027 event will be among the top students in Canada, and they will be vying for jobs in some of the country’s top aerospace companies.

The US drone industry has been a significant player in the recruitment of Canadian graduates, and it is likely that this trend will continue. The AEAC competition provides an opportunity for US companies to identify and recruit top talent from across Canada.

Medicine Hat’s decision to host the 2027 event marks a long-term investment in the growth of the aerospace sector. By supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs, the city is ensuring that it remains at the forefront of drone technology and innovation.

The Foremost BVLOS range: A game-changer for the industry

The reopening of the Foremost UAS test range is a critical component in the growth of the drone industry. The range provides an additional level of testing and validation for drone systems, which will be essential as the industry continues to evolve.

The proximity of the range to Medicine Hat makes it easier for student teams to access and utilize its facilities. This will provide an opportunity for teams to test their drones in a real-world environment, which will help them prepare for the challenges they will face in the industry.

The reopening of the Foremost range is also a testament to the long-term commitment of the Alberta provincial government to supporting the growth of the aerospace sector. The $1 million investment in funding for aerospace and defense sector growth, including $200,000 specifically to Community Futures Entre-Corp, demonstrates the province’s commitment to investing in its future.

In conclusion, Medicine Hat has been named as the host city for the 18th annual AEAC Student Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Competition. The competition will take place from May 14 to 16, 2027, and it is expected to draw an even larger field of competitors. The success of the 2025 event was due in part to the strong support of local partners, including the Medicine Hat RCers Flying Club, which provided the workspace for teams to develop and maintain their equipment.

The reopening of the Foremost UAS test range will provide an additional level of testing and validation for drone systems, which will be critical in supporting the growth of the industry. The Alberta provincial government’s investment in funding for aerospace and defense sector growth demonstrates its commitment to investing in its future.

Overall, Medicine Hat’s decision to host the 2027 event marks a long-term investment in the growth of the aerospace sector. By supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs, the city is ensuring that it remains at the forefront of drone technology and innovation.

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