CSU 3D-Printed Fixed-Wing Aircraft Competition
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) hosts the annual CSU 3D-Printed Fixed-Wing Aircraft Competition (C-3DPAC) on at the Jesse Owens Track and Field Complex on campus.
Media and Stories
Relive the high-stakes action. See what it means to engineer beyond limits through photos, videos, and real stories.
| CATEGORY | 1ST PLACE | 2ND PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Innovation Competition | Stanford | Cal Poly Univ, San Luis Obispo |
| Flight Competition | Stanford | Norco Flight |
Honorable mention flight competition: 3rd Place - Cal Poly Univ, San Luis Obispo, 4th place - Cal State LA 2FlyCrew.
This year's participating institutions: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Fullerton, Cal State LA, San Diego State, NORCO College, East LA College, Stanford, CETYS – Tijuana
Click to view the C-3DPAC 2025 Flickr photo album.
| CATEGORY | 1ST PLACE | 2ND PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Innovation Competition | San Diego State | East LA College |
| Flight Competition | Cal Poly Univ, San Luis Obispo | San Diego State University |
| Simulation | Cal Poly Univ, San Luis Obispo | |
This year's participating institutions: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Bakersfield, Cal State LA, San Diego State, East LA College, University of Louisiana – Lafayette, CETYS-Tijuana
| CATEGORY | 1ST PLACE | 2ND PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Innovation Competition | San Diego State, Hot-End Aeronautics | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, SLO Flyers |
| Flight Competition | San Diego State, Hot-End Aeronautics | Cal State LA, Aero Eagles United |
This year's participating institutions: Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State LA, San Diego State, CETYS-Tijuana
DATES & DEADLINES
| DATE | ACTION |
|---|---|
| Anytime! | Email [email protected] to join our mailing list for competition information. |
| TBA, 2026 | Registration Opens Team information and paperwork are collected. |
| TBA, 2026 | Registration Closes |
| TBA, 2026 | Design Competition Submission Deadline |
| TBA, 2026 | Flight Competition @ Jesse Owens Stadium and Jesse Owens Track and Field, Cal State LA. |
Design
In this competition, students design and fabricate airplanes using 3D printing technology. The planes need to be lightweight, and the designs need to maximize performance given manufacturing and material constraints- a great opportunity to leverage modern digital manufacturing technologies.
Manufacturing
The airplanes can be any size but will need to satisfy strict manufacturing conditions with all airframe components, including all aerodynamic surfaces and control surfaces, printed using a purely (not hybrid) 3D printing technology. (Propellers are to be commercial off-the-shelf technology.)
Student Challenge
- Develop a lightweight, 3D printable airframe
- Integrate design and manufacturing to maximize performance
- Design within the 3D printing process and material constraints
- Leverage direct digital manufacturing technologies
Prizes
This competition comprises two parts: a flight competition and a design competition. Each is judged and awarded independently a first and second prize.
Rules & Requirements
The competition steering committee (composed of faculty from across the CSU) works together to establish the rules and logistics for the competition. Please contact the organizer, Mike Thorburn, if you have questions at [email protected].
Checklist
Every institution participating must fill out an entry form. One entry form may include multiple teams from the same institution. If an additional team needs to register, the institution may fill out a second entry form but must include all the attachments. Each entry must include the following information. NOTE: CSU campuses do not need to submit general liability and drone insurance certificates, but they are required to complete the remainder of the competition application.
- Insurance Compliance
- TEAMS: Student info
- TEAMS: Advisor info
- TEAMS: Student pilot info
- Aircraft Description
- Pilot’s AMA Membership Number
- Pilot’s FAA Trust Course Certificate
- Aircraft (FAA) Registration Number
MEDIA DISCLAIMER
When you attend a California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) event, you enter an area where photography, audio recording, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such media recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, and inclusion on websites. You further waive all rights you may have to any claims in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication.
CONTACT
Sign up for UAV Competition news and updates!
For questions or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Mike Thorburn, Cal State LA, at [email protected]