3D Printed Aircraft Competition

UTA hosts the Annual 3D Printed Aircraft Competition each summer.
Student holding a small aircraft in the design, print, fly competition.


The University of Texas at Arlington will host the 9th Annual 3D Printed Aircraft Competition July 12, 2024 at UTA Maverick Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

As 3D printing technologies have expanded, the design space for many applications, the challenge of leveraging this design freedom for improved performance while satisfying fabrication process constraints has likewise increased. This competition challenges students to:

• Develop lightweight, 3D printable airframe configurations
• Integrate design and advanced manufacturing to maximize mission performance
• Design within 3D printing process and material constraints
• Leverage direct digital manufacturing technologies
• Develop team and hands-on design experience

Important Dates and Deadlines

  • Registration Deadline: January 31, 2025 - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
  • Design Report Submission Deadline: May 15, 2025
  • Aircraft Check-In Date: July 11, 2025 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • FLYOFF DATE: Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Stadium

Stay Informed or Participate

Fixed Wing Category

(All lifting surfaces must remain fixed)

  • Altair Most Innovative Design*, $1000
  • Longest duration flight, first prize, $1000
  • Longest duration flight, second prize, $50

Rotary Wing Category

(A significant proportion of lift is generated by rotation of components or of the entire body)

  • Altair Most Innovative Design*, $1000
  • Longest duration flight, first prize, $1000
  • Longest duration flight, second prize, $50

*Design reports must be received by submission deadline to be eligible for Altair Most Innovative Design Awards

Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible. For questions and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Robert Taylor - taylorrm@uta.edu

Altair logo
Impac Systems Engineering
Tech-Labs logo
Wheelwright Family Foundation Logo