Student Design Competition
The Vertical Flight Society’s annual Student Design Competition invites university students from around the world to tackle a real-world engineering challenge: designing an innovative vertical lift aircraft that meets specific performance and mission requirements.
This prestigious competition offers students a unique opportunity to apply their engineering skills in a practical setting, foster collaboration, and deepen their understanding of vertical flight technology. It also serves as a powerful platform to inspire the next generation of aerospace innovators.
Awards and Recognition Winning teams receive cash awards and gain international recognition. First-place teams are invited to present their designs at the Vertical Flight Society’s Annual Forum & Technology Display—the premier professional and technical event for the vertical flight industry, providing valuable exposure to industry leaders and cutting-edge advancements.
Industry Partnership and Support: The competition is proudly sponsored and financially supported on a rotating basis by these leading organizations in the vertical flight community:
Airbus
(2031 Sponsor)
Leonardo Helicopters
(2026 Sponsor)
Bell
(2027 Sponsor)
The Boeing Company
(2028 Sponsor)
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
(2029 Sponsor)
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
(2030 Sponsor)
43rd Annual Student Design Competition:
Hybrid Electric Tiltrotor
Sponsored by Leonardo Helicopters
- Thank you to the 17 university teams who submitted final reports for this year's competition. Winners will be announced in August.
- The RFP "Hybrid Electric Tiltrotor" was revised on March 23, 2026. Download the current version: 2026 (43rd) SDC RFP - Leonardo
- Download Leonardo Responses to team questions.
- VFS recommends that you read the white paper Student Design Competition on Judging and Participation Invitation Letter.
42nd Annual Student Design Competition
Pioneering Hydrogen-Electric VTOL
Sponsored by AIRBUS
- The University of Maryland earned top honors, winning first place in both graduate and undergraduate categories. For a list of all this year's winners download the Press Release.
- Thank you to the 20 university teams that submitted final proposals.
- 42nd (2024-2025) SDC RFP sponsored by Airbus entitled "Pioneering Hydrogen Electric VTOL": 2025 SDC RFP and Airbus RFI Responses.
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'Huma' and 'AeroLay'
SDC 2023-24 -
'Arion' and 'The Harpy'
SDC 2022-23 -
'Oliwhoper' and 'Blitzen'
SDC 2021-22 -
'Alicorn' and 'Garra'
SDC 2020-21 -
2010 to 2020 Winners
SDC 2010-2020
