AeroTHON2025
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AeroTHON 2025, organized by SAEINDIA Aerospace Forum, promises to be an exhilarating event for students passionate about aerospace. This 5th edition of the competition will challenge student participants to push the boundaries of innovation as they design, build, and pilot their own Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). Imagine the thrill of seeing your creation take flight, meeting specific mission requirements, and competing in a final fly-off event! It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and industry-ready skills in the rapidly growing UAS market. Whether you’re a participant or cheering on your peers, AeroTHON 2025 is set to be an unforgettable experience filled with creativity, teamwork, and cutting-edge technology.
Objectives:
- To inculcate an innovation mindset among the student community in emerging technologies like Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV)
- To Incubate and nurture skills and capabilities of aero design in young minds and prepare them for Atmanirbhar Bharat in critical aerospace technologies.
- To provide a platform for Aero-passionate students to demonstrate UAV design expertise
- To help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs
Contest Structure:
Phase 1: Â Design and Technical Presentation
- Innovative designs presentation from the participant teams
- Innovative designs evaluation by industry and academic experts
- Announcement of Shortlisted Teams for Phase 2
Phase 2: Â Flight Test with a final presentation highlighting readiness to Fly and Awards
- Building the prototype of the UAV
- Tiger`s cage presentation
- UAV inspections confirming build to the proposed design
- Flight Test
- Prize distribution
Registration Guidelines:Â
- Registration Fee: Rs. 20,000 + 18% GST per team
- Teams can be formed with a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 10 students of multiple disciplines with one faculty advisor.
- It is mandatory for participating students to become student members of SAEINDIA. It is encouraged to take up the membership under +1 scheme as membership status continues for one more year after the completion of graduation.
- Though not mandatory, Faculty are encouraged to become a Faculty Member of SAEINDIA and avail the benefits available for the faculty member of SAEINDIA.
- Visit: https://www.saeindia.org/become-a-member/ to sign up for SAEINDIA membership.
Awards & prizes
|
Prize Category |
Prize Amount |
|
1st Prize |
Rs. 1,75,000 |
|
2nd Prize |
Rs. 1,25,000 |
|
3rd Prize |
Rs. 1,00,000 |
|
4 Special Awards each of Rs. 30,000 |
|
Important Dates
Here are the key dates for the contest.
| Key milestones | Dates |
| Registration opened for AeroTHON 2025 | Jan 30, 2025 (Thu) |
| Registration Close | Mar 16, 2025 (Sun) |
| Phase - 1: Design Report submission by students | Jun 01, 2025 (Sun) |
| Phase - 1: Presentation submission by Students | Jun 08, 2025 (Sun) |
| Phase - 1: Review of Design reports by Jury | Jun 05, 2025 – Jun 13, 2025 |
| Phase - 1: Students present designs to Jury | Jun 14, 2025 (Sat) |
| Phase - 1: Finalists announcements | Jun 25, 2025 |
| Phase - 2: Physical Prototype build | Jun 26, 2025 – Nov 13, 2025 |
| Phase - 2: Flying Round [Inauguration, inspection, Tiger’s cage and Fly round] | Nov 14, 2025 |
| Phase - 2: Flying Round [Fly round, Valedictory and Awards ceremony] | Nov 15, 2025 |
Advisory Committee
(Javaji M Consulting)
Chair, AeroForum
(Infosys)
Co-Chair, AeroForum
(Pratt and Whitney)
Past President, AeroForum
(Boeing)
Member, Aeroforum
(HCL)
Member, Aeroforum
(Avironix Private Limited)
Member, Aeroforum
Organizing Committee
(Moog India)
Convener
(Infosys)
Co-Convener
Technical Committee
(Boeing)
Chair
(HCL)
Co-Chair
Industry and Academia Interface Committee
(MathWorks)
Chair
(Moog India)
Co-Chair
Finance Committee
(Collins Aerospace)
Chair
(TE Connectivity)
Co-Chair
Event Management Committee
(Hexagon)
Chair
(Boeing)
Co-Chair
Marketing & Communication Committee
(Moog India)
Chair
Awards & Recognition Committee
(Eaton)
Chair
To be updated.
Enquiry form
Contact for Sponsorship Opportunity and Team Registration
Ms. Shantha Priya | +91 73387 48891 | priya@saeindia.org
Mr. Suman | +91 98402 10293 | marketing@saeindia.org
For any feedback/grievance related to AeroTHON2025, send email to us at
Note: Think of this document as your go-to for quick answers about AeroTHON 2024! However, it’s the Rule Book that lays down the law. This document does not replace or override the Rule Book in any way. Happy Flying!
Chapter 1:
Q1: Is it possible to postpone the Phase 1/ Phase 2 by 3-4 days due to clash with examination or another event?
A1: Since this is a PAN-India event, the dates are announced after due deliberation. The date once declared will not be changed.
Q2: I am not able to register or stuck in the SAE registration process.
A2: Please reach out to Priya (priya@saeindia.org) who will gladly help you through the process.
Q3: Will we get any study resources related to this event?
A3: Yes! SAE will be conducting Professional Development Programs (PDP) which will cover various topics that has been curated to help the students in general and this even in particular. The PDP program roster will be launched soon and will be communicated to the teams.
Apart from this, the event sponsors and partners will also share valuable information. For instance, the event co-sponsor MATHWORKS has set up a microsite dedicated to AeroTHON 2024 (https://in.mathworks.com/academia/student-competitions/sae-india-aerothon.html). It contains complimentary software, self-paced courses and also many videos.
Q4: Our college is not supporting us with any travelling allowance or any other kind of funds. Can we attend phase 1 online?
A4: The teams are required to manage the budget for the event (procuring components, machining/ 3D printing for the UAS, travel and incidentals) by themselves. Travel for at least 1 student for phase 1 and the minimum compliment for the phase 2 must be planned. For unavoidable conditions, please reach out to SAE office with an official request letter either from their faculty advisor or Head of the Department. The requests will be address on a case-to-case basis by SAE.
Q5: What if the team members are not available for Phase 1 due to examinations?
A5: It is advised to have a mix of students from different years to have flexibility. For unavoidable conditions, please reach out to SAE office with an official request letter either from their faculty advisor or Head of the Department. The requests will be address on a case-to-case basis by SAE.
Chapter 2:
Q1: What is the required UAS type for the contest?
A1: The required UAS type for the contest is a Multirotor.
Q2: What is the category of the UAS in terms of weight?
A2: The UAS category is Micro UAS, meaning the take-off weight must be less than or equal to 2kg.
Q3: What is the maximum payload capacity of the UAS? What is the material of the payload?
A3: The maximum payload capacity of the UAS is 200 grams. Material of payload is plastic/composite rectangular bar, a non-conductive material.
Q4: What type of propulsion system should the UAS have?
A4: The UAS should have an Electric propulsion system.
Q5: What is the minimum range requirement for the communication system?
A5: The communication system range should be at least 1 km.
Q6: Can we use fixed-wing or VTOL fixed-wing UAS for the contest?
A6: No, this year's contest is only for multirotor UAS. Fixed wings and VTOL fixed wings are not allowed.
Q7: What are the dimensions of the payload?
A7: The dimensions of the payload are 10 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm. Refer rule book for additional information.
Q8: What is expected regarding innovation in the payload dropping method and mechanism?
A8: Students are expected to bring innovation in the payload dropping method and mechanism to ensure a safe delivery of the payload to the target point.
Q9: What aspects should students consider in the design of various systems and sub-systems?
A9: Students should provide design and analysis details of various systems and sub-systems, including selection of Commercially Off the Shelf (COTS) items like batteries, motors, etc.
Chapter 3:
Q1: What is the purpose of the design report and presentation?
A1: The design report and presentation serve as the primary means for teams to convey their design decisions and engineering philosophy for their UAS, demonstrating how it is suited to perform the intended mission.
Q2: What should be included in the design report and presentation?
A2: The design report and presentation should include the following contents:
a) Conceptual Design
b) Detailed Design
c) Final UAS Specifications and Bill of Materials
d) System design for capturing survey data
e) Methodology for Autonomous Operations
f) Summary of innovations in the overall design
Q3: What is included in the Conceptual Design section?
A3: The Conceptual Design section includes a high-level physical view of the UAS, detailing its physical elements and their arrangements.
Q4: What does the Detailed Design section cover?
A4: The Detailed Design section covers various aspects such as estimation of preliminary weight and thrust required, selection of propulsion system, UAV sizing, UAS performance, material selection, subsystem selection, C.G. estimation, stability analysis, preliminary CAD model, computational analysis, and optimized final design.
Q5: What information should be provided in the Final UAS Specifications and Bill of Materials?
A5: The Final UAS Specifications and Bill of Materials should include detailed specifications of the UAS and a breakdown of the materials and components used in its construction.
Q6: What does the System design for capturing survey data entail?
A6: The System design for capturing survey data outlines how data will be collected, recorded, transmitted, and retrieved during UAS operations.
Q7: How should teams address the methodology for Autonomous Operations?
A7: Teams should describe how autonomous flight will be implemented, autonomous object/target identification methods, and the mechanism for autonomously dropping/delivering payload to precise positions.
Q8: What is expected in the Summary of innovations in the overall design?
A8: The Summary of innovations should highlight any unique or innovative aspects of the UAS design that differentiate it from existing solutions.
Q9: Where can I find more information about the evaluation criteria, design report, and presentation guidelines?
A9: Refer to Sections 5, 6, & 7 of the contest guidelines for detailed information on evaluation criteria, design report requirements, and presentation guidelines.
Chapter 4:
Q1: What are the stages of the SAEINDIA AEROTHON Phase 2?
A1: The Phase 2 consists of three stages: Technical Presentation, Technical Inspection, and Flying Competition. Additionally, there is a separate stage called Tiger's Cave, focused on developing an entrepreneur mindset, which does not contribute to the overall contest score.
Q2: How are the winners determined in the AeroTHON 2024 contest?
A2: The winners are decided based on the total marks earned by the teams across the Technical Presentation, Technical Inspection, and Flying Competition stages. Tiger's Cave, while a separate stage, does not factor into the overall contest score.
Q3: What is the purpose of the Technical Presentation stage?
A3: The Technical Presentation stage requires teams to present a 15-minute overview of their UAS design and performance. This includes highlighting any changes made to the original design and demonstrating successful test flights.
Q4: What is Tiger's Cave, and how does it work?
A4: Tiger's Cave is a stage designed to foster an entrepreneur mindset among participants. Teams pitch their product ideas to industry experts and gain insights. While not contributing to the contest score, the best team in this stage receives a special category prize.
Q5: What happens during the Technical Inspection stage?
A5: The Technical Inspection ensures that all UASs comply with specified design requirements and safety standards. It includes checks for dimensions, component use, structural integrity, failsafe mechanisms, and more.
Q6: How does the Flying Competition work?
A6: The Flying Competition involves four mission attempts: two manual and two autonomous. Each mission focuses on tasks such as surveying, object detection, obstacle navigation, and payload drop. Scoring is based on mission success and performance.
Q7: What are some key ground rules for the Flying Competition?
A7: Ground rules include maintaining etiquette, following safety guidelines, cooperating with officials, adhering to flight schedules, and promptly sharing mission data with the jury.
Q8: How are mission scores calculated in the Flying Competition?
A8: Scores are awarded based on mission success criteria, including survey accuracy, object detection, payload drop precision, and adherence to flight parameters. Refer to Section 5 for detailed scoring information.
Q9: What should teams do if there are deviations from the original UAS design?
A9: Any deviations must be documented and submitted using the Modification Change Request form. Teams should be prepared to explain and justify design changes to the jury.
Q10: How can teams prepare for the Technical Inspection and Flying Competition?
A10: Teams should review the contest guidelines thoroughly, conduct self-inspections, ensure UAS compliance, practice flight missions, and be ready to present their designs and performance data confidently.
Q11: While going through the maze should the UAS rely on the FPV view or will the drone be in line of sight?
A11: Obstacle Navigation Course will be in the line of sight. Pilot is allowed to use FPV goggles.
Q12: Will there be objects placed at hot-spots? What are the conditions to consider for hotspots?
A12: There won't be any objects placed at the hot-spot. Hot-spot images and dimension information will be shared with the selected teams after Phase 1.
Q13: What will be the colour and size of the hotspots?
A13: Hot-spot details such as images for training, dimension, colour will be shared with the selected teams after Phase 1.
Q14: Is 3-D printing allowed for the components?
A14: Yes, it is allowed
Q15: Is there any limitation on the sensors or any limitations related to electrical components or software applications used?
A15: No limitations as such. You are allowed to use the necessary sensors to complete the mission without deviating the Rule Book.
Q16: Are all the members required to be present for Phase-1 presentation or can only 2-3 members be present?
A16: It is not mandatory for the entire team to be available for Phase-1 presentation. However, it is advisable for the teams to be available in-person for the Phase-I if it is possible.
Q17: Would the hotspots have some background?
A17: Yes, it would be of white background
Q18: Will changes done to drone battery capacity be considered as a design change?
A18: Yes, all changes from Phase-I design report need to have an Engineering Change Request Form filled and submitted to the Jury Panel.
Q19: Can we change the battery for each mission, or we need to use only one battery throughout the 4 missions?
A19: Teams are allowed to use the different battery provided it meets the original battery considered for the design.
Q20: Will all the four phases be done in a consecutive manner continuously? or will be provided the time for changing and charging battery?
A20: Not all missions are consecutive. The teams will have ample time in between the missions to change and check their UAV.
Q21: What is the height of the maze? What would the maze look like? Are the obstacles tall walls?
A21: The maze will be very simple and will be used to evaluate pilot skill and manoeuvrability of the UAV. The details of the maze will be shared with the selected teams after Phase 1.
Q22: What should be included in the time stamp?
Q22: The date and time must be present in the time stamp to ensure that the images are captured during the current mission.
Q23: In flight mission 2: (1)Will there be only 6 hotspots in search area or more than that? (2) If we count 6 then can we move to object detection and further tasks?
A23: There will be exactly 6 hotspots.
- Identifying all the hotspots in not a pre-requisite for the object detection. For example, if the system comes across object area after 2 hotpots, it can complete object detection and continue with hotspot identification.
- Refer bullet #1
Q24: Is it allowed to use pre-existing algorithms from the internet for identification and counting?
A24: Yes, the teams can use pre-existing algorithms and improvise for the team’s requirement. But the teams must mention the algorithm in the report and give credit to the source and cite the reference.
Q25: Are hotspots and objects to be detected by the drone itself while airborne during the autonomous surveying round?
A25: Yes, the hotspots and the objects must by detected by the drone/ ground station autonomously.
Q26: If the drone has detected the payload dropping point before some hotspot detection should we drop the payload or continue to find other hotspot and lastly drop the payload?
A26: It can drop the payload and resume with hotspot detection. It need not be the last step.
Q27: If there are four attempts to be provided for each flight mission?
A27: Each mission will have only one attempt. Hence, each mission will be different from each other.
Q28: What do you mean by survey details?
A28: In line with the theme of this year’s event, the UAS is expected to survey- capture, store and retrieve for possible later use. Survey details implies the image/ video captured by the UAV along with the time stamp.
Q29: Are the pilots allowed to move behind the drone during manual missions and payload dropping?
A29: No. The pilot will stay at the launch area only. The hotspot identification, manoeuvring, payload dropping all must be achieved using the FPV camera. Nobody from the team will be allowed to the flight area.
Q30: Will the drone take off with payload or needs to pick up the payload from somewhere?
A30: The drone will take off with payload. It will not be picking up on the way.
Glimpse of AeroTHON 2024
Glimpse of AeroTHON 2023
Glimpse of AeroTHON 2022
The AeroTHON organizing committee and SAEINDIA shall not be held responsible for non-fulfilment of their obligations due to the exigency of one or more of the force majeure events such as but not limited to the acts of God, war, flood, earthquake, strikes, lockouts, pandemics, epidemics, riots, civil commotion, scarcity, of water, electricity or such other basic facilities etc and shall inform the participating teams on the occurrence and cessation of the event within one week of such decision being made If the force majeure conditions continue beyond a reasonable period where running the event is not feasible either due to the force majeure conditions or any other reasons, the event may be cancelled for the year. (a) Earthquake, flood, inundation and landslide, storm, tempest, hurricane, cyclone, lightning, thunder, pandemics, epidemics or other extreme atmospheric disturbances or any other act of God (b) Strikes, labour disruptions or any other industrial disturbances not arising on account of the acts or omissions of the organisers, war, hostilities (whether declared or not), invasion, act of foreign enemy, terrorism, rebellion, riots, weapon conflict or military actions, civil war, ionising radiation, contamination by radioactivity from nuclear fuel, any nuclear waste, radioactive toxic explosion, volcanic eruptions or other such occurrences beyond the control of the organisers (c) Acts of expropriation, compulsory acquisition or takeover by any government agency of the said venue where the event is to be held or any part thereof (d) Any prohibitory order of any Court.
