Competitions
Student Design Competitions
Challenging students to tackle real-world aircraft design problems through three annual competition categories.
About the Competitions
The AIAA Aircraft Design TC sponsors three student design competition categories each academic year. Entries are evaluated by a panel of industry and academic experts. Top finishers are invited to present their work at the AIAA AVIATION Forum, where awards are presented at the TC luncheon.
Competitions are open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students who are members of AIAA. Each competition is anchored by an RFP developed by the TC that reflects realistic industry design requirements.
2024–25 Season
Undergraduate Individual
Competition Overview
The Undergraduate Individual competition challenges a single undergraduate student to develop a complete aircraft design proposal in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP). This competition develops independent engineering judgment and communication skills.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
RFP PDF path: /public/documents/rfp/undergrad-individual-rfp-2024-25.pdf
2024–25 Top Finishers
2024–25 Season
Undergraduate Team
Competition Overview
The Undergraduate Team competition invites teams of 2–6 undergraduate students to collaborate on an aircraft design response to a real-world RFP. Teams develop skills in project management, system integration, and technical communication.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
RFP PDF path: /public/documents/rfp/undergrad-team-rfp-2024-25.pdf
2024–25 Top Finishers
2024–25 Season
Graduate Team
Competition Overview
The Graduate Team competition challenges teams of graduate students to produce an advanced aircraft design proposal. Graduate entries are expected to demonstrate greater technical depth, innovation, and research contribution than undergraduate entries.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
RFP PDF path: /public/documents/rfp/graduate-team-rfp-2024-25.pdf