2026 Event Information

Licensed UAS-107 pilots will assemble, launch and successfully navigate their drones through a course while photographing signage and objects for accuracy and clarity before landing on a designated target. Pilots will be judged on time, accuracy and clarity of images. This event will follow the Equipment Operator competition on Friday afternoon.

All questions will be taken from The Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook,14th Edition

The Digger Derrick/ Mini Excavator Obstacle Course is designed to evaluate equipment operators on precision, control, coordination, and safe work practices while maneuvering heavy equipment and loads through courses marked with cones.  For this event, a Mini Excavator and a Digger Derrick will be positioned directly across from one another with each piece of equipment in a designated location.  Each piece of equipment will have its own course and objective that must be completed.

Mini Excavator Objective

Operators must use the mini excavator to pick up a dirt tarp and move it from one side of the event to the other. After this task is complete, a new operator will switch out and return the dirt tarp to its original starting position. Throughout the task, the mini excavator tracks must remain within the marked cone boundary without knocking off a tennis ball.

Digger Derrick Objective

Operators must use the digger derrick to lift and move an overhead transformer from one side of the event to the other.  Teams must align the boom and rig with the transformer using the provided transformer sling, lift the transformer from the starting circle, guide it through a series of cones, and lower it into the designated ending circle  Once the transformer is lowered in the ending circle, a new operator must switch out and return the transformer to the starting circle maneuvering through the same set of cones.  While maneuvering through the cones, teams shall not knock off the tennis balls.

• The team will be given a 5-minute set-up time.
• Each team member must operate a piece of equipment.
• Work gloves shall be required for this event.
• 3-points of contact must be maintained when getting on and off the digger derrick and mini.
• The tag line on transformer (load) cannot leave the ground and load cannot be handled by any team member apart from installing or removing rigging.
• Tennis balls will be placed on the cones and used as a reference for incidental contact.
• All three (3) team members will start the event standing inside the Start/Finish circle.
• Time starts on the judge’s signal once pairing and a boom operation is performed on the digger.
• Time stops when the objectives are complete, boom is cradled and mini is back in designated starting location.