The SAE Aero Design competition presents a real-world design challenge, tasking teams with developing an aircraft from concept to execution within a one-year timeframe. Participants engage in all aspects of the process, including conceptual design, hands-on manufacturing, system integration, and testing, culminating in a final in-person demonstration of their engineered solution.
The 2024-2025 ruleset was released in September 2024, providing teams with a timeline extending until March 2025 to complete all phases of their competition submission. The in-person competition for the 2024-2025 design cycle will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, in May 2025.
The competition is divided into three categories: Regular, Advanced, and Micro. For the 2024-2025 design cycle, UAlberta Aero Design will be competing in the Regular Class – Aero’s design project is already underway!
REGULAR CLASS
“The Regular Class objective is to design an aircraft that can lift as much weight as required while
maximizing wingspan. Payload will consist of Regular Boxed Cargo, represented by payload
weights, which must be carried on each flight. Accurately predicting the aircraft lifting capacity
is an important part of aircraft design.”
– 2024 Collegiate Design Series SAE Aero Design Ruleset
Electric remote-controlled aircraft capable of carrying static payload.
Power limit: 750W
Minimum 10 ft wingspan
No Carbon Fiber
LEARN MORE About the SAE International Design Competitions
2023-2024 Design Solution
MICRO CLASS
“The Micro Class objective is to challenge students to design a small, all electric aircraft to
overcome conflicting design and performance requirements. Teams must maximize scoring for
short takeoff and liquid payload, while minimizing penalties for wingspan and empty weight.”
– 2023 Collegiate Design Series SAE Aero Design Ruleset
Electric remote-controlled aircraft capable of carrying static payload.
Power limit: 450W
Perry
Wingspan: 48″
Tip-to-Tail Length: 52.4″
Mean Aerodynamic Chord: 12″
Aspect Ratio: 4
Maximum Static Thrust: 4.7 lbs
