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.