Glideator

Overview

The Glideator is a newly ideated event introduced for the first time at Shaastra 2026, the annual technical festival of IIT Madras. This exciting challenge is designed to test the stability, maneuverability, and control precision of RC gliders as they precisely navigate through a challenging obstacle course. Participants must rely solely on aerodynamic efficiency and pilot skill — without the aid of powered propulsion — to complete the course with maximum accuracy and control.

Competition details:

Round 0 - Preliminary Submission:

• Video Demonstration Each participating team must submit a demonstration video showing:
• The Glider's control surfaces along with their movement while the glider is at rest. The glider has to be thrown from 3 - 5 metres height without any usage of the control surface and is expected to land safely after at least 10 metres distance. Land safely after a designated spot in a square of radius 2m.
• The video should consist of measuring the vertical and horizontal distance before and after the launch of the glider. This video demonstrates that the glider possesses sufficient control, maneuverability, and has appropriate range.
• Technical PDF Submission A detailed technical document must be submitted containing:
• Glider dimensions and total weight along with a photo of the glider. (The dimensions of any other physical components that are used (like a carbon rod used as a spar) are to be mentioned.) Power source and other electronic components' specifications.
• Control surface dimensions. Thickness of the balsa wood used for the glider Place the photographs as proofs for each aspect mentioned. A hollow chamber of sufficient size should be arranged in the glider for adding weights in round 2.

Round 1 — Glide ratio:

• Launch: Gliders should cover the greatest horizontal distance possible showcasing their aerodynamic efficiency. Teams must ensure their glider maintains a steady, level flight without erratic movements or stalls.
• In this round the glide ratio of each team's respective glider would be noted when released from a fixed spot.

Round 2 — Obstacle Navigation:

• In this round, the glider should travel as far as it can and Specified landing zones were positioned at 2-meter intervals from the point of release. Teams were awarded additional points based on the zone in which the glider landed, with the condition that the entire glider must be contained within the designated zone to qualify for the corresponding points.
• Points were given for distance they travelled and also for landing in the specified zones. Additionally, teams were allowed to add weights (About 5gm each) provided by the organizing team to the glider, earning bonus points based on the number of weights successfully added.

Rules and Guidelines

• Type: Glider(Without any propellor) only.
• Control System: Manual operation using a remote controller. Autonomous flight is not permitted.
• Dimensions: Wing span should be 70 - 75 cm and the other dimensions should be based on the wing span and aerodynamic parameters.
• Material to be used: Balsa wood of minimum thickness 3mm and maximum thickness 5 mm.
• Placing of foam or any other material between the balsa wood at wings or the body for strength or extra weight is strictly restricted.
• Stability & Maneuverability: The glider must demonstrate stable flight, precise low- altitude flight, and agile directional control.
• The weight of the glider should range between 350g and 500g.
• A hollow chamber of sufficient size should be arranged in the glider for adding weights in round 2.

Important Dates:

• Registration Start: 28-10-2026
• Registration Deadline: 10-12-2026
• Main Event on: 06-01-2027
• Venue: Student Activity Center (SAC), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras

Please go through the Problem statement attached below for all the details regarding the competition and for the submissions.