MACH 1.0 RC AIRCRAFT COMPETITION RULEBOOK โ
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology โ
1. COMPETITION OVERVIEW โ
1.1 Introduction โ
MACH 1.0 is an exciting RC Aircraft Race Competition organized as part of TIET's prestigious 50th Annual SATURNALIA.
This competition challenges undergraduate students from across India to design, build, and demonstrate high-performance racing aircraft.
The competition is organized in collaboration with Team Sammpaati, the globally award-winning team that achieved 3rd place and Best New Entrant in Vertical Flight Societyโs SDC 2025 (Sponsored by AIRBUS) โ marking the first time an Indian team has secured a podium position in 42 years.
1.2 Mission Statement โ
Teams will design, fabricate, and demonstrate the flight capabilities of an electric-powered, remote-controlled aircraft optimized for speed and agility in a racing circuit.
The goal is to achieve the fastest lap times while maintaining safe and controlled flight operations.
2. TEAM REQUIREMENTS โ
2.1 Team Composition โ
- All team members must be currently enrolled students at Indian engineering colleges/universities
- Team size: Maximum 8 members, all undergraduate
- Each team must designate one Team Captain as the primary point of contact
- No pilot license required โ teams may use student pilots
3. AIRCRAFT DESIGN REQUIREMENTS โ
3.1 General Specifications โ
- Maximum Weight: 25 kg
- Maximum Wingspan: 1.5 m
- Any fixed-wing aircraft configuration permitted (excluding Lighter-than-Air or Rotary Wing)
- Electric propulsion only
3.2 Safety Requirements โ
- 2.4GHz spread spectrum system required
- A properly configured receiver failsafe system is mandatory
3.3 Construction Standards โ
- Aircraft must be predominantly student-built
- Commercial electronics (ESCs, servos, motors) are permitted
- Clear team identification is required
4. COMPETITION FORMAT โ RACE โ
4.1 Race Mission โ
Total competition time will be recorded from the judge's countdown (Throttle enabled) to the moment the aircraft achieves a successful landing.
A successful landing is defined as the aircraft touching down under controlled flight and stopping within the designated 26m runway without significant structural failure.
4.2 Race Circuit โ
- All aircraft will take off from the runway facing RQ and must lift off before the 22m mark.
- After liftoff, aircraft must fly straight till the AB line, turn toward point B, cross points B, C, D, and finally point A, from where the lap starts.
- A total of three laps must be completed, with point A as the reference.
- Aircraft must cross the points of rectangle ABCD externally โ failure results in a Type 1 Penalty (Section 6.2).
- After the third lap, the aircraft must enter from side AB externally, proceed toward the runway, and come to a complete halt before the left dotted line.
- Failure to do so will deduct points from Flight Performance.
- During flights before 1:00 PM, pilots will stand in box X; post 1:00 PM, in box Z, due to sun position.
4.3 Race Scoring โ
Teams will be ranked based on their cumulative completed lap time.
Only aircraft completing all 3 laps will be eligible for ranking.
4.4 Race Finish โ
Race time stops once the aircraft achieves a Controlled Touchdown โ defined as landing under controlled flight on the designated runway and remaining within the 26m runway during deceleration.
Failure to stop within the runway results in deductions under Structural Integrity, unless a Type 2 Penalty occurs (Section 6.2).
5. TECHNICAL INSPECTION โ
5.1 Inspection Requirements โ
All aircraft must pass an initial technical inspection covering:
- Failsafe System Demonstration: Teams must show that the throttle cuts to zero and control surfaces move safely on signal loss.
- Dimensional compliance
- Radio system functionality
- Component cross-check with the initial design report
Post-flight inspection ensures integrity.
Deductions for damaged components apply to the Structural Integrity score (20% of Flight Performance).
5.2 Practice Flight โ
Teams may modify their aircraft after a single practice lap.
The aircraft will be re-inspected but not permitted additional trials.
5.3 Required Documentation โ
- Aircraft Specification Sheet
- Proof of Successful Test Flight
6. SCORING SYSTEM โ
6.1 Overall Score Distribution โ
| Component | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Innovation | 20% | Technical design report and innovation |
| Flight Performance | 60% | Race lap times and flight demonstration |
| โ Flight Time | 80% of 60% | |
| โ Structural Integrity (Landing)** | 20% of 60% | |
| Tech Inspection | 20% | Compliance and safety verification |
6.2 Flight Performance Scoring โ
- Primary Metric: Fastest cumulative completed lap time
- Penalties:
- Type 1 (Cumulative): For straying inwards or unsafe/unsportsmanlike acts.
- Max 3 Type 1 penalties allowed per attempt.
- 4th Type 1 penalty = disqualification from further flight.
- Type 2 (Mission-Voiding Integrity Penalty):
- Triggered by major structural failure rendering the aircraft unflyable.
- Voids that race attemptโs time and disqualifies further flight.
- Type 1 (Cumulative): For straying inwards or unsafe/unsportsmanlike acts.
7. DESIGN REPORT REQUIREMENTS โ
7.1 Report Specifications โ
- Format: PDF submission, max 15 pages
- Font: 12pt Times New Roman
- Content: Technical analysis, design rationale, performance predictions
- Drawings: Three-view aircraft drawing with dimensions
- Use SI Units throughout
7.2 Required Sections โ
- Design Overview & Configuration Selection
- Aerodynamic Analysis & Performance Calculations
- Structural Design & Materials Selection
- Propulsion System Design
- Control System Architecture
8. AWARDS & PRIZES โ
8.1 Main Competition Awards โ
- Trophies and Certificates of Merit for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position teams
- Participation Certificates for all other teams
8.2 Special Recognition Awards โ
- Best Design Report
- Best Flight Performance
๐ฐ Total Prize Pool: โน2,00,000
9. REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE โ
9.1 Important Dates โ
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | November 3, 2025 |
| Design Report Submission | November 5, 2025 |
| Main Competition Event | November 15, 2025 |
9.2 Registration Process โ
- Registration Fee: โน1,000 per team (External teams)
- Method: Unstop Event
- Venue: TIET Campus, Patiala, Punjab
9.3 Event Schedule โ
November 15, 2025
- 09:00โ11:00: Registration & Technical Inspection
- 11:00โ13:00: Practice Flights
- 14:00โ17:00: Official Race Competition
- 17:30โ18:00: Awards Ceremony
9.4 Accommodation โ
- Accommodation and basic meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) provided to registered teams
- Details on check-in and location to be shared post-registration
10. SAFETY PROTOCOLS โ
10.1 Flight Safety โ
- All flights supervised by qualified officials
- Immediate landing required if ordered
- Weather minimums: Wind < 20 km/h, no precipitation
- Only 2 team members (including pilot) allowed in the flight zone
10.2 Personal Safety โ
- Safety glasses mandatory in flight line
- Closed-toe shoes required
- No unauthorized personnel in flight zones
11. GENERAL RULES & CONDITIONS โ
11.1 Competition Rules โ
- All decisions by judges and organizers are final and binding
- Maintain sportsmanship throughout
- Modifications after trial flight require re-inspection
- Weather may affect schedule
11.2 Intellectual Property โ
- Teams retain all IP rights to their designs
- Organizers may use reports only for judging and archival purposes
- No publication of proprietary data without written permission
- Organizers may use images/videos for promotion
Point of Contact โ
Shreyas Singh: +91 9990565986 Aatish Kumar Sahu: +91 7428542008 ,Vishwas Khattar (+91 84484 01830)