About Speedfest XV

What is Speedfest?

Speedfest is an annual engineering design competition hosted by Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, OK. Student teams compete to design, build, and fly high-performance RC aircraft based on a real-world engineering challenge.

A team of senior aerospace and mechanical engineers have 15 weeks to develop the aircraft from scratch, manufacture multiple airframes, and fly their plane at the Speedfest event. Speedfest draws over 2000 attendees, including college and high school students, industry professionals, professors, and friends and family.

Designed with constraints. Engineered to Win.

Every design decision was driven by the Speedfest XV Statement of Work, balancing strict constraints with high performance objectives in speed, efficiency, and reliability.

Competition Details

Mission Profile

Aircraft performance is scored across two competitions within a 5-minute flight window.

Pylon Racing (0-2 min)

Objective: Fly at high speeds with tight controlled turns, while optimizing battery output

  • Fly a 1000ft figure-8 course
  • Each pylon crossed is +1 point
  • Must fly as low and level as practical

Glide Phase (2-5 min)

Objective: Convert excess speed into elevation gain, then glide as long and efficiently as possible

  • Motor cutoff at 2 minutes, then climb unpowered
  • Score one point for every 10 seconds airborne, maximum score is 18 for 180 seconds
  • Must land inside the fence line

Scoring Calculator Scoring Calculator

Pylons Crossed

1 point per pylon

11
11

Glide Time

1 point for every 10 seconds airborne

sec
18
Points awarded
29

Cost Bid

Develop a realistic cost model assuming production of 100 aircraft units

Scoring

If Per Unit Price < $4,200
4
If Per Unit Price < $2,500
8
Total Possible Points
8

Marketing

A comprehensive marketing package must be developed to market the designed plane to industry professionals

  • Marketing Video: Visually appealing and entertaining 2 minute long video that shows off key features and markets them to industry professionals.
  • Online Marketing Display: Clear and thorough website display marketing key design features.
  • Judges Choice: A 3point all-or-nothing category given to the team that wows the judges the most

Scoring

Marketing Video
5
Online Marketing Display
5
Judges Choice
3
Total Possible Score
13

SOW Requirements

Key limits from the Statement of Work: wingspan, propulsion, batteries, and control surfaces.

Maximum Wingspan

Electric Propulsion

20W-hr and 4S LiPo max

Split Elevators on independent servos

Want more details? Read the SOW