SAE Aero Design West 2027

Location
Apollo 11 Model Aircraft Field
Woodley Ave
Lake Balboa, CA 91406
Details
Registration Fee: 1850.00
Registration Limit: 75
Registration Closes: Monday, November 30, 2026 11:59 PM
Sign Up
Rules & Documents

TBD

MathWorks SAE Aero Design Simulation Challenge 2027

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 West 2027 teams 

Classes: Regular, Micro, and Advanced

Solution submission deadline: Feb 21st, 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 Feb 21, 2027.

Challenge Criteria and Eligibility

Rules document (COMING SOON)

Available Resources

Learning resources:

Contact Us

For questions, please write to us at [email protected].

Sumit Your Entry!
Travel & Accommodations

Attention students:

  • We have arranged discounted hotel rooms for participants that are within 20 minutes of the event site
  • Please use the booking link to ensure you receive the discounted room rate. If you call the hotel directly, please make sure to mention you are a part of SAE AERO WEST to get the discounted room rate.
  • We suggest booking early since we only have a limited number of rooms. During our event, other events will also be taking place so room availability in the area will be limited.
  • Only book the number of rooms you need so all teams can also get the rooms they need.

Best Western Plus Carriage Inn
5525 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, CA, 91411
Rate: $171 per night. Reservations must be booked by March 1, 2027

Book via Link: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.05595.html?groupId=8V9ZL3L0

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Woodland Hills
22617 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Rate: $149 per night. Reservations must be booked by March 24, 2027

Book via Link: https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=EX&regionCode=1&localeCode=en&checkInMonthYear=032027&checkInDate=7&checkOutDate=12&checkOutMonthYear=032027&hotelCode=LAXWO&GPC=SAE&numberOfAdults=1&numberOfRooms=1&adjustMonth=false&showApp=true&monthIndex=00

Best Western Woodland Hills Inn
21830 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Rate: $149 per night. Reservations must be booked by March 7, 2027

Book via Link: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.05663.html?groupId=5E5MF3T1

Holiday Inn Express Van Nuys
8244 Orion Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Rate: $171 per night. Reservations must be booked by March 7, 2027

Book via Call In: Call 1-818-989-5010 – Group Code: SAE AERO CA rate

Sponsors & Equipment Suppliers

TBD