C-3DPAC

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.

CATEGORY1ST PLACE2ND PLACE
Design and Innovation CompetitionStanfordCal Poly Univ, San Luis Obispo
Flight CompetitionStanfordNorco 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.

CATEGORY1ST PLACE2ND PLACE
Design and Innovation CompetitionSan Diego StateEast LA College
Flight CompetitionCal Poly Univ, San Luis ObispoSan Diego State University
SimulationCal 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

CATEGORY1ST PLACE2ND PLACE
Design and Innovation CompetitionSan Diego State, Hot-End AeronauticsCal Poly San Luis Obispo, SLO Flyers
Flight CompetitionSan Diego State, Hot-End AeronauticsCal 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

DATEACTION
Anytime!Email [email protected] to join our mailing list for competition information. 
TBA, 2026Registration Opens
Team information and paperwork are collected.
TBA, 2026Registration Closes
TBA, 2026Design Competition Submission Deadline
TBA, 2026Flight Competition @ Jesse Owens Stadium and Jesse Owens Track and Field, Cal State LA. 

 

3D_airplane_competition_student hold plane

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.

3D_airplane_competition_hooting

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.)

aircraft hand illustration with 3d printer

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

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.

C-3DPAC Competition 2025
CSU 3D Printed Fixed-Wing Aircraft Competition (C-3DPAC) 2024 CSU 3D-Printed Fixed-Wing Aircraft Competition

CONTACT

Sign up for UAV Competition news and updates!

For questions or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Mike Thorburn, Cal State LA, at  [email protected]