
Our Mission
Purdue SAE Aero is dedicated to advancing aerospace engineering through innovative design, hands-on experience, and competitive excellence. Our team focuses on developing cutting-edge aircraft solutions that push the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace technology.
We participate in the SAE Aero Design competitions, where students design, build, and fly remote-controlled aircraft to compete in various challenges. This provides our members with invaluable real-world engineering experience.
Our Goals
- Design and build competitive aircraft for SAE competitions
- Provide hands-on engineering experience to students
- Foster collaboration between different engineering disciplines
- Promote aerospace education and innovation at Purdue
- Develop the next generation of aerospace engineers
Past Competitions

Competition Achievements
Purdue SAE Aero has a rich history of participating in the Society of Automotive Engineers' Aero Design competitions. Our team has consistently demonstrated excellence in aircraft design, manufacturing, and flight performance.
2025 US Competition
Our latest competition showcasing our continued excellence in aerospace engineering
2024 US Competition
Demonstrated outstanding aircraft design and flight performance
2024 Brazil Competition
Competed internationally, representing Purdue on the global stage
Upcoming Competitions
What's Next
We're preparing for the next SAE Aero Design competitions. Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming competition schedules and follow our journey as we continue to push the boundaries of aerospace engineering.
2026 Competition Season
Planning and preparation underway for the next SAE Aero Design competition. Competition details to be announced.
Our Plan
Competition Strategy
Our plan for upcoming SAE Aero Design competitions focuses on innovative design, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement. We're committed to pushing the boundaries of aircraft performance while maintaining reliability and efficiency.
Development Timeline
Phase 1: Design & Analysis
Conduct aerodynamic analysis, structural simulations, and weight optimization studies to create the optimal aircraft design.
Phase 2: Prototype Construction
Build initial prototypes using advanced manufacturing techniques and lightweight materials to validate our design concepts.
Phase 3: Testing & Refinement
Perform extensive flight testing, gather performance data, and refine the design based on real-world results.
Phase 4: Competition Preparation
Final assembly, team training, documentation, and logistics preparation for competition day.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Whether you're interested in joining our team, exploring sponsorship opportunities, or have questions about our projects, we'd love to hear from you!
sae-aero@purdue.edu
Location
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907