What it is
The National Aeromodelling Challenge is a flagship engineering competition presented by Techfest, IIT Bombay - Asia's largest science and technology festival. Student teams design, build, and fly their own fixed-wing electric RC aircraft that carries golf-ball payloads, progressing through an abstract screening, a Qualifier Round, and a Main Round held at Techfest, IIT Bombay.
Who it's for
Open to school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students passionate about aerospace and engineering. Teams of 2 to 4 members may include students from different colleges or schools. Each participant may join only one team and must carry a bona fide certificate signed by their HoD/Dean/Principal plus a valid ID card.
What to expect
- Teams must design and build their own aircraft - ready-to-fly (RTF/ARF/BNF) models are not allowed.
- Aircraft must carry golf-ball payloads (45 g, 43 mm diameter, supplied by organisers) and complete timed delivery missions.
- Design constraints: max weight 1 kg without payload, thrust-to-weight ratio not exceeding 1, wingspan up to 1.2 m, propeller diameter up to 13 inches (no metal propellers), electric motors only. Gyroscopes, programmed mission steps, FPV, and flying aids are prohibited.
Agenda highlights
- Abstract Submission (Online): Under 15 pages in the official Aeromodelling 2026 Abstract Form format, covering basic design (dimensions, wing area, velocity, etc.), plus a zip of 5-10 build photographs. Non-conforming abstracts are not evaluated.
- Round 1 - Qualifier Round: Carry one or more golf balls, fly at least 30 seconds within a 3-minute window, and land with payload inside the designated area. Score = (payload weight x 100) / aircraft weight without payload. Two attempts; best counts. Top 30 teams advance.
- Round 2 - Main Round: Complete a round trip of payload delivery within 3 minutes - load, take off, fly 30+ seconds, land, unload, reload, take off again, fly 30+ seconds, land, unload. Loading must be hands-free via transmitter-operated compartment doors. Score = E1 + E2 - C1 - C2 - C3, with 10 points per delivered golf ball per trip and 1 point lost per second on the ground during loading/unloading. Two attempts; best counts.
- Overall Score: 0.25 x Normalized Qualifier Score + 0.75 x Normalized Main Round Score. Ties broken by a judges' round.
Rules to note
The same aircraft described in the abstract must be used in both rounds (repairs allowed, replacement not). No modifications after thrust-to-weight is measured. A 2.4 GHz radio is required; other frequencies must be cleared with organisers in advance. Landing outside the inner boundary incurs a 20% penalty; touching or crossing the outer boundary disqualifies the attempt. Teams must not share aircraft components. Safety violations or misconduct lead to penalties or disqualification; judges' decisions are final.
Timeline
- Registration & Abstract Submission Deadline: 25 November 2026
- Abstract Result Announcement: 1 December 2026
- Qualifier Round: 15-16 December 2026
- Main Round: 17 December 2026
Prizes
Top 3 winners share INR 1,00,000. All participants who qualify for Round 2 receive certificates.
About the organiser
Techfest is the annual science and technology festival of IIT Bombay, one of India's premier engineering institutions. It hosts national-level competitions, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops drawing students and innovators from across the country.