This annual event is sponsored by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) International, specifically directed toward college students interested in aeronautical engineering. The competition is integrated into the engineering curriculum as a year-long project.
Design, build, test, and fly a heavy-lift radio-controlled aircraft with a set of constraints:
The Lawrence Tech Aero Design Team will compete in the SAE Aero Design West Competition, taking place April 4th–6th in California. This international event challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and test a fixed-wing, radio-controlled aircraft capable of carrying a payload of standardized 2L water bottles while adhering to strict dimensional, weight, and performance constraints.
In the Regular Class, the aircraft must have a maximum takeoff weight of 55 lbs and be disassembled into sections no longer than 4 feet for transport. Teams are required to assemble the aircraft and prepare for flight within two minutes prior to takeoff. Scoring is based on a combination of payload weight lifted, wing span efficiency, and successful takeoff within 100 feet and landing within 400 feet.
Each team’s final competition score is determined by the sum of their top three flight rounds, emphasizing not only design performance but also reliability and repeatability under pressure.
| History | |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 13th – Overall |
| 2024 | 6th – In Mission Core, 8th – Overall |
| 2021 | 5th – Overall |
| 2016 | 8th – Oral Presentation |
| 2012 | 10th – Overall |
| 2011 | 8th – Overall |
| 2010 | 9th – Overall |
| 2009 | 8th – Overall |
| 2007 | 1st – In Design, 7th – Overall |
| 2005 | 3rd – Oral Presentation |
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