Design. Simulate. Compete.
Model your aircraft, fly virtual missions in Simulink, and evaluate flight-demo readiness before competition. Use the provided template repository and learning resources to move from aircraft data to a repeatable simulation workflow, review performance, and make informed design decisions before physical flight testing.
Details
Eligibility: SAE Aero Design East 2027 teams
Classes: Regular, Micro, and Advanced
Solution submission deadline: Jan 24, 2027
Challenge Overview
Use the MathWorks Virtual Environment for SAE Aero Design to model your team’s aircraft and fly the Aero Design flight missions in a virtual environment.
Teams need to submit a zip project comprising following items:
Complete MATLAB-based virtual environment project along with recorded flight data,
An engineering report (4 pages max), describing how MATLAB and Simulink supported the aircraft design for SAE Aero Design.
Awards and Recognition:
The top three teams from both the East and West competitions will receive certificates and the following prizes:
First place: $500
Second place: $300
Third place: $200
Winners will also be invited to write a blog on the Student Lounge Blog and collaborate on a social media post with @matlab_students Instagram channel.
Submission Process:
Step 1 – Package the submission and upload it to a team-managed cloud platform such as OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox.
Step 2 - Submit: Share the final ZIP cloud link through the submission form for your competition by 11:59 pm PST on Jan 24, 2027.
Challenge Criteria and Eligibility
Rules document (COMING SOON)
Available Resources
Learning resources:
For questions, please write to us at [email protected].
Submit Your Entry!
