The team successfully tested the bottle release mechanism in flight, performing a bottle drop.

The plane was flown in stabilise mode which automatically corrected for any disturbances to its flight path. The bottles did not survive the impact with the ground, so a parachute or cushioning system will have to be developed.

The team filmed the bottle drop, which shows that the plane is stable in flight after the bottle is released. This is a key requirement of the Deliverable 2, which must be submitted to the competition organisers.

Mike with bottle attached to Skyhunter, ready for bottle drop test flight
Mike with bottle attached to Skyhunter, ready for bottle drop test flight
A still from the video (slightly out of focus), showing the bottle being released from the plane.
A still from the video (slightly out of focus), showing the bottle being released from the plane.
Several of the bottle after the impact with the ground.
Several of the bottle after the impact with the ground.