AE Resources
Annual AE Scheduling Best Practices
This is a general schedule of AE programs that we recommend as a best practice. It's likely that more things will be listed here than any squadron can do in one year, so prioritize according to your annual AE Plan of Action. For external programs, such as CyberPatriot, please make sure to check the dates against their published schedule.
Quarter 1
October
AEX programs operate on the fiscal year, so they open 01 Oct. This program is open to AEMs and CAP units.
StellarXPlorers applications close mid-October and rosters must be finalized by late October.
CyberPatriot applications close in early October and team rosters must be finalized by late October.
CyberPatriot teams will participate in a practice round and round 1 of competition.
AE Activity Reports are due from squadrons to group 30 Oct.
StellarXPlorers practice round 1 and qualification round 1
High-Altitude Balloon Challenge post-flight deliverables due and winners announced
November
CyberPatriot round 2
Payment for StellarXPlorers teams are due 15 Nov.
AE Activity Reports are due from groups to wing 30 Nov.
AE Plans of Action are due from wing to region 30 Nov.
StellarXPlorers practice round 2 and qualification round 2
December
CyberPatriot state round
The American Rocketry Challenge registration closes 01 Dec.
AE awards (such as the Brewer Award) are due from squadrons to group 15 Dec.
AE Activity Reports are due from wing to region 31 Dec.
Quarter 2
January
AE awards are due from groups to wing 15 Jan.
StellarXPlorers practice round 3 and qualification round 3
CyberPatriot regional semi-finals
February
AE awards are due from wing to region 15 Feb.
StellarXPlorers Semifinals
March
Weather generally starts warming up around March. Start thinking about scheduling TOP flights here.
ACE registrations close 31 Mar
CyberPatriot National Finals
High Altitude Balloon Challenge registration opens
Quarter 3
April
CyberPatriot applications open 01 Apr.
American Rocketry Challenge qualification flights are due in early April
StellarXPlorers National Finals
May
CyberPatriot exhibition round 1
American Rocketry Challenge National Finals Fly-Off
High-Altitude Balloon Challenge registration closes
June
The American Rocketry Challenge registration opens 01 Jun.
Quarter 4
July
CyberPatriot exhibition round 2
High-Altitude Balloon Challenge pre-launch deliverables due
August
The school year starts in late August. Start scheduling school visits now in preparation for programs that open at the start of the next fiscal year.
ACE registration opens 01 Aug
This is prime AEM recruiting time because school budgets are still full.
High-Altitude Balloon Challenge launch
September
Be thinking about annual budgets - funds will roll over at the end of this month. Use the money you have to prepare for upcoming activities.
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