Teams must include three members, supported by an adult sponsor from their school, Air Training Corp squadron or other recognised youth organisation. Each team must submit their final design solution on no more than five pages (sides) of A4 by midnight on 31st May 2020.

The top 12 entries will be selected by a panel of judges, the Challenge Directors. Shortlisted teams will be notified by mid-June and invited to attend a week-long aerospace experience Summer School on Cranfield University campus from 26th July to 31st July 2020.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Places at the Cranfield week are highly sought after. It is therefore a prerequisite of entry and submission that teams acknowledge and accept that they will be able to accept if offered a place at Cranfield.

It’s an exclusive opportunity to enter the world of aerospace, including the chance to fly and to gather flight data on-board the National Flying Laboratory’s ‘flying classroom’. Along with practical design and management exercises, there are presentations from top industry guest experts and visits to some of the best aviation sites in the UK (and some indoor sky diving!). It’s a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the opportunities available in aerospace, and to begin to make contacts in this exciting world.

Individual team performance at Cranfield counts towards the overall selection of the winning teams. The 5 top teams will receive their prizes £1,000 each at a formal Awards Ceremony/Reception on Monday 23rd November 2020 at the prestigious Institution of Mechanical Engineers headquarters in central London. The teams present their designs to a distinguished audience of aerospace industry professionals – the Royal Air Force Chief of Air Staff will be the guest of honour and will present the awards. The winning team will also receive the Schools Aerospace Challenge Trophy, presented by Hybrid Air Vehicles.