SHAASTRA 2027

Boeing–IIT National Aeromodelling Competition 2025–26 | IIT Madras Zone About the Competition The challenge is to design, build, and operate a radio-controlled fixed-wing aircraft capable of carrying the maximum possible payload relative to its own weight and delivering it accurately to a designated drop zone. Competition Format Stage 1: Design Abstract Submission and Screening Teams must submit an abstract describing their aircraft design, supported by photographs documenting the construction process. The abstract will be evaluated to shortlist teams for the zonal competition. Submission requirements: An A4-format design abstract of no more than 15 pages. Standard formatting with 1.5 line spacing. Technical details of the aircraft, including dimensions, wing area, and velocity. An explanation of how the design addresses the competition problem statement. A ZIP file containing 5–10 photographs of the aircraft during construction. The abstract must be submitted at least 20 days before the zonal competition date. Shortlisted teams will be announced 15 days before the event, according to the published competition guidelines. Stage 2: Zonal Competition – IIT Madras Shortlisted teams will bring their aircraft and necessary equipment to compete in two rounds. Round 1: Qualifier Round The objective is to demonstrate safe flight while carrying a payload and achieve a high payload-to-aircraft weight ratio. The organiser-provided payload consists of golf balls weighing 45 g each. The aircraft must carry the payload for a minimum of 30 seconds. The payload must be carried inside the aircraft and must not be externally exposed. The aircraft must complete the attempt within a maximum of 3 minutes from take-off to landing. Each team receives two attempts, and the better score is considered. Scoring formula: Score = (Weight of payload carried × 100) / Weight of aircraft without payload. Aircraft that cannot maintain flight for 30 seconds with the payload receive zero points. The top 30 teams based on the qualifier scores advance to the Main Round. Teams qualifying for the Main Round are eligible for a reimbursement of ₹5,000 per team towards aircraft material costs, subject to the competition’s stated requirements. Round 2: Main Round – Payload Delivery Challenge Teams must demonstrate their aircraft’s payload-carrying capability and accurate payload release. Carry independent golf balls as payload. Fly for at least 30 seconds before releasing the payload. Release all payloads in a single drop using one transmitter channel. Deliver the payload into a circular drop zone of 20 m diameter. The drop zone is located 40 m from the take-off and landing zone. Complete the attempt within the maximum 3-minute time limit. Payloads must fall as separate golf balls. Combining them into one larger payload or releasing them inside a common box is not permitted. Each team receives two attempts, and the better score is considered. Scoring formula: Score = (Weight of payload successfully dropped inside the zone × 100) / Weight of aircraft without payload. National Finals The top three teams from the IIT Madras Zonal Competition will be invited to the national finals at IIT Delhi, according to the 2025–26 competition guidelines. The final-round problem statement will be announced separately by the organisers. Eligibility Criteria Only students are eligible to participate. Each team must have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 student members. An additional mentor may accompany the team but cannot assist during competition participation. Team members may belong to the same or different educational institutions, provided all institutions fall within the same designated zone. Each participant can be a member of only one team. Participants must carry a valid college or school ID card and a bona fide certificate signed by the respective HoD, Dean, or Principal. Each team can participate in only one zonal event. Aircraft Design Constraints Aircraft type: A self-designed and fabricated fixed-wing radio-controlled aircraft is mandatory. Ready-to-fly, almost-ready-to-fly, and bind-and-fly models are not permitted. Maximum aircraft weight: 800 g without payload. Maximum wingspan: 1 metre. Maximum propeller diameter: 13 inches. Thrust-to-weight ratio: Must not exceed 1.5 without payload. Power source: Electric motors only. Internal combustion engines and other thrust sources are prohibited. Flight control: Gyroscopes, receiver programming assistance, and programmed mission steps are prohibited. Flight assistance: FPV and other flying-support systems are not allowed. Payload mechanism: The payload must be securely mounted and comply with the prescribed round-specific release requirements. Aircraft consistency: The same aircraft must be used in both rounds and must match the design submitted in the abstract. General Rules and Safety Regulations Teams must bring their aircraft and all required equipment. Aircraft systems, including motors and servos, will be inspected before participation. All aircraft must use 2.4 GHz radio unless another frequency has been approved in advance by the organisers. Receivers must operate in receiver-only mode. Metal propellers are prohibited. Teams must not share aircraft components with other teams. Powered take-off with landing gear or a manual ground-level launch is permitted. Damaged aircraft may be repaired, but replacement aircraft are not permitted. Pilots must remain within the designated flying zone. Flying outside the permitted zone may result in disqualification. Participants must follow all safety instructions from judges and organisers. A safety pilot may take control when required for safety. Teams must be ready when called for their attempt; failure to do so may result in losing their turn. The same team members must participate in the national finals if their team qualifies. Attempts to unfairly influence scoring or disrupt the competition may result in immediate disqualification. If multiple teams from the same institution participate, their aircraft designs must be distinct. The 2025–26 guidelines specify a minimum 2.5% difference in wingspan, chord, and fuselage length between such teams. Scoring and Evaluation The final zonal score is calculated as follows: Final Score = (0.25 × Qualifier Round Score) + (0.75 × Main Round Score). The Main Round contributes 75% of the final score, making payload delivery performance the most significant scoring component. The top three teams with the highest final scores will be declared zonal winners. In case of a tie, a separate round may be conducted by the judges, whose decisions will be final. Prizes IIT Madras Zonal Competition First Prize: ₹50,000. Second Prize: ₹25,000. Third Prize: ₹15,000. and the remaing top 24 teams will be awarded 5000/- National Competition First Prize: ₹1,00,000. Second Prize: ₹50,000. Third Prize: ₹30,000. The top three teams from each zonal competition will be invited to the national finals at IIT Delhi.