The Vertical Flight Society's annual Student Design Competition challenges students to design a vertical lift aircraft that meets specified requirements, provides a practical exercise for engineering students at colleges and universities around the world and promotes student interest in vertical flight technology. Each of the winning teams is awarded a cash stipend, while each of the first-place winning teams are invited to the Vertical Flight Society's Annual Forum and Technology Display to present the details of their designs. Members of the teams receive complimentary registration to the Forum, the vertical flight industry’s principal professional technical event, which promotes vertical flight technology advancement.
The Student Design Competition sponsorship rotates between Airbus, The Boeing Company, Bell, Leonardo Helicopters, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.; and US Army Research Lab. Through this partnership, VFS is able to reach the best and brightest students in the world and encourage them to pursue education and careers in vertical flight. VFS is grateful for the continual support that industry provides for its annual Student Design Competition, and proud of all students who elect to participate. Information is available on past winners.
Rotating Sponsors
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2026 – Leonardo Helicopters
2027 – The Boeing Company
2028 – Bell
2029 – Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
2030 – DEVCOM Army Research Lab
2031 – Airbus
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43rd Annual Student Design Competition
Hybrid Electric Tiltrotor
Sponsored by Leonardo Helicopters
- UPDATED RFP: the RFP "Hybrid Electric Tiltrotor" REVISED on Sept. 25, 2025. Downlod the current version 2026 (43rd) SDC RFP.
- Letters of Intent due Feb. 1, 2026.
- VFS recommends that you read the white paper Student Design Competition on Judging and Participation Invitation Letter.
- See past winners and RFPs at SDC Past Recipients.
42nd Annual Student Design Competition
Pioneering Hydrogen-Electric VTOL
Sponsored by AIRBUS
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The University of Maryland earned top honors, winning first place in both graduate and undergraduate categories. For a list of all this year's winners download the Press Release.
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Thank you to the 20 university teams that submitted final proposals.
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42nd (2024-2025) SDC RFP sponsored by Airbus entitled "Pioneering Hydrogen Electric VTOL": 2025 SDC RFP and Airbus RFI Responses.